The USC Trojans are a star-heavy bunch. Not only could quarterback Jayden Maiava potentially go on a Heisman Trophy run this fall, the USC roster is littered with former four and five star recruits but who is a player that might be flying under the radar?
Trojans Wire writer Matt Zemek identified left tackle Elijah Paige as a Trojan who could find himself climbing NFL Draft ranks over the course of the 2026 season.
“Elijah Paige is ready to have a true breakout season as a USC offensive lineman. He was good last year but now needs to be a dominant beast, the kind of player who can go in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft,” Zemek said. “With Zach Hanson doing a fantastic job of coaching up the offensive line (far better than previous coach Josh Henson did), Paige should benefit from his experience within the USC scheme and program.”
Paige has already been with USC for three seasons and his familiarity with head coach Lincoln Riley’s system should only help Paige elevate his game.
“He hasn’t transferred to another school where he has had to learn an entirely different way of blocking or pass protecting. He is in a situation set up for success. If he doesn’t make real improvements this year, it will be a surprise. He has the caliber of coaching and player development he lacked two years ago,” Zemek said. “Also, USC has a new strength and conditioning coach (technically last year, but not with a full offseason — Trumain Carroll was hired in the spring of 2025, so he wasn’t able to implement a full program for the 2025 team). Elijah Paige stands to benefit from that reality as well.”
Paige, the redshirt junior, stands at 6’7” and weighs 315 lbs, giving him impressive size at tackle, which will help him protect Maiava’s blind side this season for the Trojans.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Which USC Trojan could emerge as a star during the 2026 season?
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire | USA TODAY Network
