This week and next, the 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Milan, Italy. While USC has more history with the Summer Olympics, the Trojans do have some connections to the Olympic Winter Games, too.
The Olympics got me thinking, though: Which events would USC football players excel at? Here are a few Olympic sports I think would suit some Trojans well:
Caleb Williams: Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport that involves taking risks and potentially dangerous outcomes, but can produce thrilling results. That sums up Williams’s style of play as a quarterback. He is not afraid to take risks on the field and makes some bad mistakes, but is also capable of creating some of the most exciting plays that you will ever see.
Sam Darnold: Alpine skiing: slalom
Slalom is all about rhythm and avoiding mistakes. During this year’s NFL playoffs, Darnold did just that, not throwing a single interception in three postseason games.
Reggie Bush: Short-track speed skating
A sport that is all about speed? Give me one of the fastest and most exciting college football players of all time any day of the week.
Adoree’ Jackson: Biathlon
Biathlon is a unique sport that requires doing two different things extremely well: cross-country skiing and riflery. Jackson knows all about doing multiple things well, having played on offense, defense, and special teams during his time at USC.
Taylor Mays: Ice hockey (skater)
Any good hockey team needs an enforcer who is not afraid to deliver hard hits. Enter Mays, one of the hardest-hitting safeties that college football has ever seen.
Matt Kalil: Ice hockey (goalie)
Another essentially aspect of a good hockey team is a goaltender who does not allow the puck to get behind him. During his 2011 All-American season at USC, Kalil did not allow any defenders to get behind him, not giving up a single sack.
Cody Kessler: Curling
Curling is a sport where accuracy is key. Kessler’s 2014 season was one of the most accurate campaigns by a quarterback in USC history, competing 69.7% of his pass attempts and throwing just five interceptions.
Matt Leinart: Figure skating
Leinart famously took ballroom dancing during his final year at USC. If he can dance on land, then why can’t he do it on ice?
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Which Winter Olympics events would USC football players thrive in?
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
