At USC football, we know the drill. Every game is a referendum on Lincoln Riley. In 2025, growing concern has surrounded defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn due to persistent problems in a banged-up secondary, plus inconsistent performances from a young defensive line. The head coach and the opposite coordinator (on the other side of the ball from the head coach) always get the most attention at a college football program, and rightly so. However, specific position coaches often make the difference. It’s time to have a Zach Hanson conversation at USC.
USC might become a great team. We don’t know how high the Trojans will climb this season. However, USC has at least given itself a chance to achieve something of note in 2025 with its 18-point win over Michigan.
Head coaches and coordinators get most of the heat, but we also mention position coaches when their unit doesn’t do the job. It’s notable how seldom Zach Hanson has been openly discussed in USC football circles so far this season. It’s because the USC offensive line has been good. This is no longer a crisis point or a source of worry for the Trojans. Let’s talk more about Zach Hanson and the state of the USC football team through Week 7:
King Miller breakout
King Miller is hugely impressive, and no one needs any explanation of that point. Let us simply note that his offensive line blocked really well for him. This line is helping other players succeed within the offense.
Jayden Maiava comfort zone
Jayden Maiava is playing well, but if his offensive line had struggled the way it did for Miller Moss last season, USC’s offense wouldn’t be nearly as good. The level of play is so much better and more consistent than in 2024 under Josh Henson.
Running the ball to finish off games
USC’s late touchdown in the fourth quarter against Michigan was a classic put-away drive, a ball-control touchdown march in which the Trojans physically overpowered an opponent to seal a game. That’s the kind of drive we did not see last season. It shows how much better this group really is.
No Elijah Paige
USC’s offensive line is doing all of this without Elijah Paige, reasonably viewed by many as the best and most important lineman on the team.
No Kilian O’Connor
USC’s offensive line is managing without its starting center. Again, USC is thriving in spite of key injuries and limited depth.
J’Onre Reed
J’Onre Reed leading USC’s offensive line to a strong, smooth performance against Michigan shows how competent he has been except for that one really annoying penalty which wiped out a touchdown against Illinois. Reed is up for this. He proved it against Michigan and its vaunted defensive front.
No longer soft
USC had a soft team last season. You can’t say that about the Michigan game. USC played the physically superior football which defines this program when everything is going right. This was the USC football identity we have been longing for.
Zach Hanson now faces his defining moment
If USC can go to South Bend and beat up Notre Dame, the Trojans truly would enter the College Football Playoff discussion. If Zach Hanson can get his line to mash against the Irish on the road, we will know for sure that he’s the real meal deal at USC.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: The biggest USC football story no one is talking about
Reporting by Matt Zemek / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
