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What Big Ten coaches said anonymously about the 2025 USC Trojans

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•05/23/25•

ErikTMcKinney

USC head coach Lincoln Riley on the sideline during the Trojans' game against Notre Dame at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
USC head coach Lincoln Riley on the sideline during the Trojans' game against Notre Dame at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

Athlon Sports always puts together one of the more interesting stories of the offseason when they grant anonymity to coaches across the country to discuss their conference opponents. Here’s the Big Ten edition. Interestingly, both of the comments about the USC Trojans in the story focused hard on the defensive side of the ball.

“The talk is all about Lincoln [Riley] making another elite quarterback, but I think the metric here should be how much that defense can improve both on the field and in recruiting. I think they take a jump up this year because they’re bringing in more talented players to a proven system. Both the transfers and the freshman [Jahkeem Stewart] will make the defensive line better. That’s what gets lost about the USC teams that won big; they were killers in the front seven. That’s been missing.”

“If you assume [Jayden] Maiava continues to build a comfort level, they’ll be better for it on offense. But watch the defense. If they take that next step, we’re talking about a team that can go in and play with the best programs in the nation again.”

Takeaways for the Trojans

USC has plenty of questions on the offensive side of the ball heading into this year. Specifically, the Trojans have to figure out how to turn yards into points in the Big Ten. USC finished the 2024 season ranked No. 23 in the nation in total offense per game but just No. 51 in points per game. Quarterback Jayden Maiava needs to protect the football better and USC has three holes to fill along the offensive line due to graduation and transfer portal departures.

But it sure seems like USC fans are right to be fired up about the defensive side of the ball. The Trojans brought back defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, defensive line coaches Shaun Nua and Eric Henderson, defensive backs coach Doug Belk and added cornerbacks coach Trovon Reed and linebackers coach Rob Ryan. That staff ranks among the best in college football and USC invested heavily in its defensive line this offseason in the form of the mentioned Jahkeem Stewart and transfer portal additions Keeshawn Silver and Jamaal Jarrett. USC also brings back some rising talent in defensive end Kameryn Fountain and interior lineman Jide Abasiri, among plenty of others.

Riley and that offense are going to have to come through for the Trojans this fall. But it’s clear that the Trojan defense is grabbing the attention of Big Ten conference coaches.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz