USC football needs a lot of things to happen if this season is going to come together perfectly. ESPN’s Bill Connelly explored the “ifs” which need to emerge for the Trojans to achieve up to their expectations (and maybe even exceed them).
Connelly writes that USC’s season can be special “If … Jayden Maiava has pass catchers. Maiava is one of the most proven returning quarterbacks in the sport and should have a dynamite run game at his disposal thanks to backs Waymond Jordan and King Miller, and an experienced line. But of the seven players with at least 125 receiving yards last season, only sophomore wideout Tanook Hines returns. Transfer Terrell Anderson (NC State) will need to be an immediate hit, as will a few young, unproven options.”
Tanook Hines is generally viewed and accepted as a USC receiver who will do well in 2026. The Terrell Anderson portal pickup has to hit. Other depth pieces in the wide receiver room have to become legitimate options who will demand attention and respect from opposing defenses. Part of the discussion here is that Dennis Simmons needs to develop depth at the wide receiver position. He has created stars at USC but not a lot of rooms in which there were four or five really good receivers. He had that in 2022 but hasn’t matched that standard since. That’s an important goal for USC this season. It could make the difference between this team being moderately good and very good, borderline great.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: National football experts agree that USC needs depth at wide receiver
Reporting by Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
