USC Trojans Cornerback Battle Heats Up in Spring Practice

Trojans reload at cornerback with talented newcomers and returning players recovering from injuries

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:54pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a USC cornerback making a play on the ball, with the player's body fractured into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant shades of cardinal and gold.USC's cornerback room has been infused with new talent, creating an intriguing position battle as the Trojans prepare for the upcoming season.Los Angeles Today

USC's cornerback room lost three of its top four players from last season, but the Trojans have reloaded at the position with a talented group of newcomers and returning players recovering from injuries. Redshirt sophomore Marcelles Williams, reclassified freshman RJ Sermons, and freshman Elbert 'Rock' Hill have all stood out in spring practice, creating an intriguing position battle heading into the fall.

Why it matters

With the departure of several key cornerbacks, USC's cornerback position has become a focal point of the team's spring practice. The Trojans have a chance to reload the position with a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent, which could pay dividends for the team's defense in the upcoming season.

The details

Redshirt sophomore Marcelles Williams, a blue-chip recruit in the 2024 class, has made significant strides and is poised to take on a larger role after playing just nine snaps as a true freshman. RJ Sermons, who reclassified from the 2026 to the 2025 class, has added size and speed and put together a strong spring practice. Freshman Elbert 'Rock' Hill, the No. 1 cornerback in the 2026 class, has also impressed with his technique, fluidity, and ball-hawking ability. The Trojans also added former Iowa State cornerback Jontez Williams and UCF transfer Chasen Johnson, both of whom are recovering from injuries but are expected to compete for starting jobs.

  • USC's cornerback room lost three of its top four players from last season to graduation or the transfer portal.
  • Marcelles Williams made his first career start in week 3 against Purdue last season and never relinquished his spot.
  • RJ Sermons reclassified from the 2026 to the 2025 class and enrolled late last summer to prepare for this spring.
  • Elbert 'Rock' Hill had nine interceptions in his senior season of high school.
  • Jontez Williams and Chasen Johnson are recovering from injuries and expected to be fully cleared this summer.

The players

Marcelles Williams

A redshirt sophomore cornerback who was a blue-chip recruit in the 2024 class. He has steadily improved and is coming off his best stretch of practice in the Lincoln Riley era.

RJ Sermons

A reclassified freshman cornerback who added size and speed in the offseason and put together a strong spring practice.

Elbert 'Rock' Hill

A freshman cornerback who was the No. 1 cornerback in the 2026 class according to ESPN. He has impressive technique, fluidity, and ball-hawking ability.

Jontez Williams

A redshirt senior cornerback who transferred from Iowa State and is the No. 1 cornerback in the portal according to 247Sports. He is recovering from a torn ACL injury.

Chasen Johnson

A redshirt sophomore cornerback who transferred from UCF and is recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for most of last season.

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What they’re saying

“Marcelles has improved a lot. I think this stretch of practice is the best ball that he's played. He's getting stronger and faster, and his body is just continuing to mature. Really liked what we've seen out of him.”

— Lincoln Riley, USC Head Coach

“He really is aggressive in terms of having a feel for making plays on the ball at that position. Some corners are out there just to cover and some guys are out there actually trying to really make plays on the ball.”

— Lincoln Riley, USC Head Coach

What’s next

The cornerback position battle is unlikely to be settled by the season opener, so USC can use the first few games against Group of Five opponents to evaluate the players and decide on a starting lineup before entering Big Ten play.

The takeaway

USC's cornerback room has been revamped with a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent, creating an intriguing position battle that will be a key storyline to follow as the Trojans prepare for the upcoming season.