We are just days away from USC football’s 2025 season opener. And with kickoff just around the corner, the first depth chart of the season is here! Late Wednesday night, the Trojans released their depth chart for Saturday’s matchup vs. Missouri State.
Who is set to start? Who is a backup? Where are there still question marks? Here are five key takeaways from the depth chart release:
Buy your Hines stock
All offseason, one of the biggest questions surrounding the USC program was who would start at wide receiver alongside Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon. Well , we finally have our answer, as true freshman Tanook Hines was listed as a starter at receiver.
Longstreet is QB2
It has been for much of the offseason that Jayden Maiava is going to open the season as the Trojans’ starting quarterback. But who will be the primary backup. It seems as though highly-touted true freshman Husan Longstreet beat out veteran transfer Sam Huard for the job.
Jayden and Jordan in the backfield
The Trojans have a deep running back room and will likely have multiple guys play big roles at the position. For Week 1 at least, junior college transfer Waymond Jordan is listed as the starter over New Mexico transfer Eli Sanders.
DL acquisitions not starting
Three of USC’s most high-profile acquisitions of this past offseason came on the defensive line: Kentucky transfer Keyshawn Silver, Georgia transfer Jamaal Jarrett, and blue-chip freshman Jahkeem Stewart. However, none of the three are listed as starters on the initial depth chart. Instead, the Trojans will roll out a starting unit of Kameryn Fountain, Devan Thompkins, Jide Abasiri, and Anthony Lucas.
Young offense, veteran secondary
This is an incredibly young offense, with just one senior to start: tight end Lake McRee. In the secondary, however, the Trojans will roll out a very experienced group, with three redshirt seniors starting alongside redshirt junior Kamari Ramsey.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Key takeaways from USC football’s first depth chart of the 2025 season
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
