USC Relying on Young Players at Key Positions Next Season

The Trojans are committed to player development and their incoming freshman class rather than the transfer portal.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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USC was not as active in the transfer portal as many expected. Instead, the Trojans are committed to their recent player development and incoming freshman class. This will be a crucial season for the program in the fifth year of the Lincoln Riley era, as the team will be relying heavily on young players at key positions like wide receiver, defensive line, and running back.

Why it matters

With several veteran players departing, USC is putting its faith in a talented group of young recruits and underclassmen to step up and contribute immediately. This strategy could pay dividends in the long run, but also carries risks as the Trojans look to build on their success under Riley and compete for a championship.

The details

At wide receiver, USC lost three key veterans, so the Trojans will be counting on a mix of redshirt sophomores, freshmen, and transfers to fill the void. Tanook Hines had a breakout freshman campaign and could emerge as the team's top target, while players like Zacharyus Williams, Corey Simms, and Romero Ison will battle an impressive group of incoming freshmen for playing time. On the defensive line, Jahkeem Stewart and Floyd Boucard were key rotational players as true freshmen, and five-star recruits Jaimeon Winfield and Luke Wafle are expected to contribute immediately. In the backfield, King Miller nearly reached 1,000 yards as a redshirt freshman, but the Trojans lost depth with some transfers, so four-star freshmen Deshonne Redeaux and Shahn Alston will compete for the No. 3 spot.

  • USC was not as active in the transfer portal as many would have thought.
  • Tanook Hines had a breakout freshman campaign this past fall.
  • Jahkeem Stewart and Floyd Boucard were key rotational players during their true freshman season.
  • King Miller nearly reached the 1,000-yard mark as a redshirt freshman in 2025.
  • This will be a crucial season for the program in the fifth year of the Lincoln Riley era.

The players

Tanook Hines

A wide receiver who had a breakout freshman campaign, finishing third on the team in receptions and receiving yards, and could emerge as the Trojans' leading receiver.

Jahkeem Stewart

A defensive lineman who was a prized recruit in the 2025 class, finished second on the team in tackles for loss, and earned Freshman All-American honors despite playing the entire year with a stress fracture in his foot.

King Miller

A running back who nearly reached the 1,000-yard mark as a redshirt freshman in 2025 after Waymond Jordan's season was cut short due to injury.

Lincoln Riley

The head coach of the USC Trojans, now in his fifth year leading the program.

Jaimeon Winfield

A five-star defensive lineman recruit who is expected to contribute immediately.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

USC is taking a bold approach by relying heavily on young players at key positions next season, rather than turning to the transfer portal. This strategy could pay dividends in the long run, but also carries risks as the Trojans look to build on their success under Lincoln Riley and compete for a championship.