USC recruits reveal Trojans' jerseys with Big Ten patch

USC’s transition to the Big Ten just got real. On Saturday, several USC players posted snapshots from a photoshoot, showing off a Big Ten patch on the team’s new jerseys.

While the Trojans still have one more year in the Pac-12 before joining their new conference, the design team is seemingly already a step ahead. Both USC and UCLA announced last year that they will leave the Pac-12 Conference for the Big Ten on August 2, 2024.

No matter what patch the Trojans put on their jerseys, the adjustment will take a while to get used to. USC has been in the Pac-12 since 1922, winning 39 conference football titles and nine basketball titles since.

USC jerseys featuring the Big 10 patch during photo shoots for recruits 🔥

A look into the future 👀 pic.twitter.com/7MFA7J16O5

— Marshall Levenson (@MarshallLevyOn3) June 18, 2023

The addition of USC and UCLA will lead to 16 total teams in the Big Ten. Despite the ever-growing amount of programs, the conference will maintain its current name. The two programs’ move came on the heels of Oklahoma and Texas’ announcement of intent to join the SEC.

“I don’t believe there’s a college administrator in the country that didn’t recognize that clearly there were two conferences that were separating themselves from everyone else,” USC athletic director Mike Bohn said to the Los Angeles Times. “That particular [Oklahoma-Texas] move further emphasized that.”

The reactions to USC’s new look were mixed on Twitter.

“Hope they like playing in the cold,” one user wrote.

“That doesn’t look right like at all,” another fan added.

Outsiders aren’t the only ones who feel conflicted by the move. However, those inside the issue are more careful to speak their opinions.

“No one wants the land from under them to be pulled out,” a Big Ten source said, per ESPN. “So everyone has to be nimble. One day, you might be saying one thing, and you mean it from the bottom of your heart. And the next day you have to flip, based on economics, based on governance, based on something.”

Amid any minor changes, one thing is certain: USC and UCLA are joining the Big Ten. The West Coast programs will each travel more than 15,000 miles roundtrip in conference play during their inaugural Big Ten season. Nonetheless, if the recent photos are any indication, USC will look good doing it.