The tone has been set for the 2024 USC football season. But first, let’s rewind back to December of 2023…
After the 2023 regular season came to a conclusion, the Trojans were presented with a unique opportunity. USC was scheduled to play No. 15 Louisville in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, and the Trojans who elected to play in the bowl game banded together with the mindset of “new team, one game”.
USC’s moxie revealed itself on national television as the Trojans defeated the Cardinals 42- 28.
In the modern era of college football where instantaneous gratification is demanded and where patience is not often a virtue, USC QB Miller Moss changed the narrative. After backing up Caleb Williams (the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner) for two seasons who chose to opt out of the bowl game, Moss went 23-of-33 for 372 yards and 6 TDs in his first USC start.
Moss, who was named the Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP, gave the nation a preview of what was to come in the 2024 season and proved that values like hard work and loyalty are not to be overlooked. With his 6 TD passes thrown, Moss now holds the record for most TD passes thrown in a Holiday Bowl, most TD passes thrown in a USC bowl game, most TD passes thrown by a USC QB is his first Trojan start and tied the Pac12 Bowl Game passing TD record.
USC fans saw glimpses of greatness from the young bucks of the program: WRs Ja’Kobi Lane, Duce Robinson, Makai Lemon and Zachariah Branch, as well as steadiness from veterans like Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP Jaylin Smith and Bear Alexander. The energy around the program was revitalized as the Trojans stood underneath the celebratory fireworks in Petco Park, but there was still work to be done.
One of the more popular tools these days for New Year’s resolutions is a vision board. Vision boards give tangibility to our goals, allow us to think deeply about our desires and manifest them into reality.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley created his own version of a vision board when manifesting his ultimate defensive coaching staff.
“We rolled a whiteboard into my office, and we said our goal was to find the right coordinator, and then we wanted to find the best developers. Who do we think are the best developers of defensive talent, culture, all of that,” said Riley. “We ended up with seven names on the board. And it was the dream list — if you could get anyone, who would it be? And we ended up hiring four of those seven. So we batted a pretty decent percentage.”
The Trojans welcomed Defensive Coordinator D’Anton Lynn who previously held the same role at UCLA and has also coached in the NFL. Lynn completely transformed the Bruin defense elevating UCLA’s defense from ranking No. 87 in 2022 to finishing the 2023 regular season ranked No. 11 in the nation. Former Los Angeles Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson was named Co-Defensive Coordinator/Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach. A Super Bowl Champion and award-winning coach, Henderson brings his philosophy of “Dawg Work”: discipline, attitude, work ethic and grit, to establish a new culture in the defensive line room. Matt Entz, a two-time FCS national championship winning head coach at North Dakota State was named Assistant Head Coach for Defense/ Linebackers Coach. The two-time FCS National Coach of the Year brings a unique perspective to the defensive staff. Houston’s former defensive coordinator Doug Belk was welcomed to Troy as the Secondary Coach. Belk has been considered one of the biggest rising stars in college football’s coaching landscape, and every new member of USC’s defensive staff has either been a defensive coordinator or a head coach.
After Kiel McDonald took a new job with the Los Angeles Chargers, USC hired former TCU running backs coach Anthony Jones Jr. as Running Backs Coach/Run Game Coordinator. He worked side-by-side with former TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley (Lincoln’s brother) and helped to coach the Horned Frogs to the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship.
2024 SCHEDULE
A new era begins for the Trojans as USC enters the Big Ten Conference — new opponents, new stadiums and a Rose Bowl matchup every weekend.
The Trojans will play six home games in 2024. Troy will welcome league opponents Wisconsin, Penn State, Rutgers and Nebraska to the Coliseum as well as non-conference foes Utah State and Notre Dame. USC will visit Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, Washington and UCLA on the road. The Trojans will open the 2024 season with a neutral site game against LSU at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
USC will have byes on Sept 14 and Nov. 9.
Coming out with a bang, the Trojans face traditional powerhouse LSU in the Vegas Kickoff Classic on Sept 1. It will be just the third meeting between LSU and USC in football. USC won the first meeting between the teams in what is considered one of the greatest games ever played in Tiger Stadium by a 17-12 count in 1979. LSU won the rematch in Los Angeles at the Coliseum in 1984 by a 23-3 margin.
USC returns to Los Angeles for its home opener against Utah State on Sept. 7. The Trojans’ inaugural Big Ten matchup will be in the Big House – a stage worthy of such a debut. USC travels to Michigan (with new head coach Sherrone Moore) on Sept. 21 for this iconic game to kick off a new era of Trojan football. The Trojans are 6-4 against the Wolverines, last facing them in a 32-18 victory in the 2007 Rose Bowl. The Trojans then return home to the Coliseum to host Wisconsin on Sept. 28. USC holds a 6-1 record against the Badgers, last falling to them 21-23 in the 2015 Holiday Bowl.
Another road game awaits the following week as USC visits Minnesota on Oct. 5. The Trojans are 6-1-1 against the Gophers, last playing them in 2011, where they earned a 19-17 victory in the Coliseum. Back at home on Oct. 12, USC challenges a familiar opponent, the Penn State Nittany Lions. USC is 6-4 versus Penn State, last defeating them 52-49 in 2017 in arguably one of the most iconic Rose Bowl games of all-time. The Trojans then travel back east for a first-time match up versus Maryland on Oct. 19. Wrapping up October, USC welcomes Rutgers, another new opponent, to the Coliseum on Oct. 26.
USC travels to Washington (with new head coach Jedd Fisch) on Nov. 2 for a familiar match up. USC currently holds a 51-30-4 series record over Washington, not including Troy’s 2005 victory which was vacated due to NCAA penalty (original record: 52-30-4). On Nov. 16, the Trojans host Nebraska in the Coliseum. USC is 3-0- 1 versus the Cornhuskers, last facing them in 2014, in a 45-42 victory in the Holiday Bowl. Finally, USC travels to the Rose Bowl to challenge crosstown rival UCLA (with new head coach DeShaun Foster) to wrap up Big Ten Conference play on Nov. 23. USC leads its series with UCLA 50-33-7, not including Troy’s 2004 and 2005 victories that were vacated due to NCAA penalty (original record: 52-33-7). USC returns back to the Coliseum for its final home game of the 2024 season against Notre Dame. The greatest intersectional rivalry in college football will be played on Nov. 30.
The 2024 season will conclude with the annual Big Ten Football Championship Game on Dec. 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which will feature the top two teams in the overall conference standings at the end of the regular season, with the winner earning the Big Ten Championship.
OFFENSE
Lincoln Riley’s larger-than-life offense will continue to pose a threat for opposing defenses.
The Trojans finished the season No. 3 in the nation for scoring offense (41.8), No. 3 in team passing efficiency (170.88), No. 5 in passing offense (333.0) and No. 10 in total offense (467.6). Nine players who caught a pass last season return in 2024.
From the portal, Riley has brought in three new offensive weapons with starting experience.
Although USC’s loses 2022 Heisman Trophy-winning and USC record-holding quarterback Caleb Williams to possibly the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, there is much to be excited about ahead of the upcoming season.
QUARTERBACKS
Throughout history, the USC quarterback has become a household name. This season, a new face will join the fraternity of great Trojan quarterbacks and add to the legacy.
USC fans witnessed what redshirt junior Miller Moss is capable of in the 2023 Holiday Bowl. In his 3-year career at USC, the Holiday Bowl MVP is 66-for-92 (71.7%) for 914 yards with 9 TDs and has rushed for 27 yards on 10 attempts in 12 games with 1 start. He holds the record for most TD passes thrown in a Holiday Bowl (6), most TD passes thrown in a USC bowl game (6), most TD passes thrown by a USC QB is his first Trojan start (6) and tied the Pac-12 Bowl Game passing TD record (6).
Said Riley: “After the way Miller played in the bowl game, and not just the way he played that night, but the way he handled those six weeks prior, we felt extremely confident in him and felt like there wasn’t much of a need to pursue anyone that was older.”
Joining the Trojans from the portal is redshirt sophomore Jayden Maiava from UNLV. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Maiava led UNLV to its most wins since 1984 and a first-ever appearance in the Mountain West Championship. Maiava was named the 2023 Mountain West Freshman of the Year and the 2023 College Football Network Freshman Quarterback of the Year. He earned placement on the 2023 All-Mountain West Second Team and the 2023 Phil Steele All-Mountain West Second Team. He set the Mountain West record for Freshman of the Week honors with five.
“We wanted to add a young guy that played,” said Riley. “We needed youth but also someone who could come in here and compete for the job.”
Just like every position on the USC roster, QB1 will be earned; nothing is given and every day brings competition.
“We’re going to let those guys duke it out,” said Riley. “That’s what its all about. There’s two starter level players in that room, and two guys that have proved it in different ways already. And they’re both certainly going to get their shot here.”
Redshirt junior Jake Jensen and junior Gage Roy also return to Riley’s quarterback room.
Miller Moss – USC Trojans Football
Redshirt junior quarterback Miller Moss
RUNNING BACKS
USC will feel the impact of losing MarShawn Lloyd who looks to be one of the first backs off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The running back room will be full of fresh faces looking to make a big impact. Trojan fans saw glimpses of now sophomore Quinten Joyner in 2023 who saw action in 6 games as a true freshman. He recorded 18 carries for 125 yards (6.9 avg.) with a long of 47 yards and scored 1 TD. He also had 1 catch for 7 yards. Redshirt freshman A’Marion Peterson (2 carries for 14 yards [7.0 avg.]) looks to make his mark this season.
Redshirt senior transfer Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, a record-breaking running back from Mississippi State, brings veteran experience to a youthful room. In his 4-year career at Mississippi State (2020-23), he recorded 410 carries for 1,883 yards (4.6 avg.) with a long of 52 yards and 22 TDs. He also tallied 214 receptions for 1,225 yards (4.8 avg.) with a long of 32 and 5 TDs.
Four-star recruit, freshman Bryan Jackson, the 2023 District 5-6A Offensive MVP out of McKinney High School in Texas, enrolled at USC in January ready for spring ball.
Quinten Joyner – USC Trojans Football
Sophomore running back Quinten Joyner
WIDE RECEIVERS
While USC will be missing the exciting playmakers of Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice, the Trojan wide receiving corps will once again be a strength of the Trojan offense. With many players in the room now with a year of experience under their belt, 2024 looks to be a year of elec- tric aerial production from some of the nation’s brightest young players.
Redshirt junior Kyron Hudson, the most-senior of the wide receiver room, saw action in 13 games (with 3 starts) as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. He had 17 receptions for 189 yards (11.1 avg.) with a long of 33 yards and scored 2 TDs, including 1 in the Holiday Bowl victory against Louisville. He also participated on special teams and recorded 1 tackle and 1 blocked punt.
As a sophomore in 2024, Zachariah Branch, a First Team All-American, will look to be an active contributor to the Trojan receiving corps as well as a thrilling returner on special teams. He had a stellar debut season as a true freshman in 2023. He is USC’s first-ever true freshman First Team All-American, after being named a USA Today First Team All-American as a re- turner, a PFF First Team All-American as a return specialist and a Sporting News First Team All-American as a punt returner. Branch was also named to the Walter Camp All-American Second Team and the FWAA All-American Second Team as a kick returner. He is the only freshman to earn placement on either of those teams. Additionally, he was named a Sports Illustrated Second Team All-American as a kick returner, a FOX Sports Second Team All-American as a kick returner, an Action Sports Second Team All-American as an all-purpose player, Phil Steele All-American Second Team as a specialist, a CBS Sports Honorable Mention All-American as a wide receiver/punt returner, a Sports Info Solutions All-American Second Teamer as a returner, a College Football News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American as a wide receiver, the College Football Network Freshman Specialist of the Year as a punt returner, a College Football Network Freshman All-American, a FWAA Freshman All-American, The Athletic First Team Freshman All-American, an All-Pac-12 First Teamer as a return specialist, an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention as an all-purpose/special teams player, AP All-Pac-12 Second Teamer, and a Phil Steele All-Pac-12 First Teamer as a punt returner. Additionally, he won the Jet Award which is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding return specialist. During the season, he was also named to The Sporting News and ESPN Midseason All-American Teams. He collected 31 catches for 320 yards (10.3 avg.) with a long of 36 yards and scored 2 TDs. Branch also rushed for 70 yards on 9 carries (7.8 avg.) with a long of 21 yards and scored 1 TD. As USC’s return specialist, he tallied 442 yards on 24 kickoff returns (18.4 avg.) with a long of 96 yards and running one back for a TD. He also recorded 332 yards on 16 punt returns (30.8 avg.) with a long of 75 yards, also running one back for a TD. He saw action in 11 games (all but Colorado and Arizona) while starting 9. He is the first Trojan since Adoree’ Jackson in 2016 to have a punt return and kickoff return for a TD, as well as at least one receiving TD in the same season. Jackson had 2 punt returns and 2 kickoff returns for TDs and 1 TD reception during the 2016 season. Since 1971 (when records are available) Branch is one of just 3 USC players to accomplish the feat, joining Jackson and Curtis Conway (1992 – 1 kickoff return TD, 1 punt return TD, 5 rec TDs).
Fellow sophomores Ja’Kobi Lane (7 catches for 93 yards [13.3 avg.] with a long of 31 yards and 2 TDs), Makai Lemon (6 receptions for 88 yards [14.7 avg.] with a long of 40 yards and also saw action on defense) and Duce Robinson (16 receptions for 351 yards [21.9 avg.] with a long of 71 yards and 2 TDs and 1 blocked kick) will each have increased roles in 2024.
Redshirt freshman Jaden Moore, senior Corey Nerhus and redshirt junior Josiah Zamora also make up the USC wideout unit.
USC welcomed redshirt senior transfer Jaden Richardson from Tufts to Troy. In his 4-year career at Tufts (2020-23), he played in 22 games with 9 starts. As a senior in 2023, he was named to the All-NESCAC First Team and also was awarded the 2023 NESCAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Richardson earned placement on the D3Football.com All-Region First Team and the D3Football.com All-American Fourth Team. He recorded 46 receptions for 830 yards (18.0 avg.) with a team-leading 13 TDs while playing and starting in all 9 games.
Freshman Xavier Jordan, one of the nation’s top high school prospects, enrolled in January at USC. He was rated as the No. 4 player in the state of California by On3, No. 7 by 247 Sports, No. 9 by ESPN and No. 12 by Rivals. He was touted as the No. 13 wide receiver in the country by On3, No. 15 by ESPN, No. 16 by 247Sports and No. 20 by Rivals. He was named a 2024 Under Armour All-American, a 2024 Polynesian Bowl All-Star and was invited to compete in the 2024 NBC All-American Bowl. In his senior season at Sierra Canyon (Calif.) HS in 2023, Jordan caught just 30 passes but turned it into 600 receiving yards (20.0 avg.) and 8 TDs.
Kyron Hudson – USC Trojans Football
Redshirt junior wide receiver Kyron Hudson
TIGHT ENDS
Redshirt junior Lake McRee leads the tight end position group as its most experienced member. In 2023, he saw action in 12 games with 4 starts and recorded 26 catches for 262 yards (10.1 avg.) scoring 1 TD.
After moving to the offensive side of the ball to play tight end in 2023, redshirt sophomore Carson Tabaracci recorded 1 reception for 32 yards and 4 tackles on special teams while seeing action in 12 games in 2023. He recorded his first reception in the Holiday Bowl versus Louisville.
Redshirt freshman Kade Eldridge, who also saw brief action in the Holiday Bowl, and untested redshirt senior CJ Woods comprise the remaining Trojan tight end returners.
Freshman Joey Olsen, the No. 1 player in the state of Oregon, enrolled in January to participate in spring practice. He earned 2023 Oregon All-State 6A First Team and 2023 All-Three Rivers League First Team honors coming out of Lakeridge High School.
Freshman Walter Matthews, the No. 2 tight end in the nation, and freshman Walker Lyons, a 2023 Under Armour All-American who is currently serving his Mormon mission in Norway, will arrive in the fall and certainly bolster an already talented tight end room.
Lake McRee – USC Trojans Football
Redshirt junior tight end Lake McRee
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
The USC offensive line unit returns 6 Trojans who have at least 1 game of starting experience. While two-time captain Justin Dedich’s big personality and leadership and Jarrett Kingston’s wealth of experience will be missing from the trenches, fellow 2023 captain redshirt senior Jonah Monheim will step in as the most veteran of the group. He started all 13 games, 12 times at left tackle and 1 time at right guard. He was named to the AP All-Pac-12 Second Team and Phil Steele All-Pac-12 Fourth Team. In 2024, Monheim will transition to center.
Redshirt senior Emmanuel Pregnon (saw action in all 12 games with 12 starts at left guard) and redshirt junior Mason Murphy (played 13 games with 5 starts at right guard) return with significant palying experience.
Redshirt senior Gino Quinones, a 2022 starter, saw action in 2 games with 1 start before suffering a season-ending injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2023 season. He will be back to compete for playing time in 2024.
Sophomore Alani Noa (saw action in 6 games with 1 start at left guard) and redshirt freshman Elijah Paige (saw action in 5 games with 1 start at left tackle) each bring starting experience to the room. Noa became the first USC true freshman to start at left guard in a season opener since Toa Lobendahn started the opener at left guard in 2014 vs. Fresno State on Aug. 30. The last true freshman to start any game at left guard for USC was Courtland Ford in 2020 vs. Washington State on Dec. 6.
Other offensive linemen returning are red- shirt senior Cooper Lovelace (saw action in 4 games), junior Kilian O’Connor (saw action in 7 games) and redshirt freshmen Micah Banuelos (saw action in 1 game), Tobias Raymond (saw action in 2 games), Jack Susnjar and Amos Talalele (saw action in 1 game).
Freshmen Kalolo Ta’aga (2023 All-West Catholic Athletic League Second Team out of Bishop Riordian [Calif.] HS), Justin Tauanuu (2024 Polynesian Bowl All-Star from Huntington Beach [Calif.] HS) and Jason Zandamela (2024 Under Armour All-American from Clearwater Academy [Fla.] HS) will participate in spring ball.
Freshmen Makai Saina ( 2024 Under Armour All-American and a 2024 Polynesian Bowl All- Star from Martin HS [Texas] and Hayden Treter (2023 All-State 5A First Team from Cherry Creek [Colo.] HS), will join the team for summer camp.
