USC football’s ballyhooed freshman recruiting class might not be everything the Trojans hope it will be in 2026. Freshmen generally need a season or two to round into form and actualize potential. Expecting superstars to instantly emerge for this team might be unrealistic. However, there’s a huge gap between superstar on one end and “bust” on the other. USC basically needs its freshmen to be meaningful producers. Let’s start there.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly writes that USC could make a run at the national title “If … an incredible freshman class produces. Title pushes require depth, and though USC’s elite recruiting class doesn’t need to produce immediate stars, it would sure help the cause if at least one freshman stood out at receiver (Boobie Feaster? Kayden Dixon-Wyatt? Trent Mosley?), defensive end (Luke Wafle? Simote Katoanga?) and cornerback (Elbert Hill IV? Brandon Lockhart?).”
Connelly’s point about depth is important. USC needs depth at receiver. It needs depth at defensive line and in the secondary. If the Trojans get quality performers down the depth chart at those position groups, chances are the Men of Troy won’t run into the same problems which hijacked them last season against quality opposition.
The freshmen don’t need to figure it all out right away, but they need to be competent and capable players who do their part and are ready to step up when asked to.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC freshmen won’t do everything in 2026 but must do something
Reporting by Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
