Cory Pappas

Joined: Aug 29, 2024

Cory Pappas is sports writer for USC Trojans On SI and Oregon Ducks On SI. Since starting in March of 2024, he has been writing breaking news stories, game previews, game recaps, and more across College Sports, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics for Total Apex Sports. In addition to writing, Cory is also a sports data scout for Sportradar. He covers live sporting events ranging from college athletics to semi-pro and professional. Before joining the industry, Cory graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022. He ran track for Oregon's club Track and Field team. Before Oregon, he played varsity basketball and track and field in high school in Walnut Creek, CA. Cory is using his lifelong passion for sports and writing together.

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley visits with daughters Stella Riley (left) and Sloan Riley after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon is coming off an incredible 2025 season and is projected to be a early selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Where is Lemon ranked among the rest of his 2023 high school recruiting class in a class re-ranking?

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Football

College Football personality Josh Pate gave an early look at the teams he believes could win a national championship in the 2026 college football season. Where does Pate have the USC Trojans?

Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches pregame warmups against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Football

The USC Trojans enter the 2026 season looking to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. Is the future bright for coach Lincoln Riley and his Trojans?

Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the third quarter against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Football

The USC Trojans are still looking to make their first ever College Football Playoff. Will year five of Lincoln Riley as coach be the year they can finally get over that hump?

Feb 5, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) talks to media members at the San Jose Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Football

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is playing in his first Super Bowl. The former USC Trojans quarterback received a message on social media from former USC coach Ed Orgeron before the game. x

Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley (left) poses with Spirit of Troy marching band director James Vogel (center) and mascot Tommy Trojan after the game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Football

The USC Trojans once were one of the biggest draws in Los Angeles. There is a lot of competition for USC to stand out in LA and that was on full display in a Los Angeles Lakers home game this week.

Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Football

The USC Trojans have been considered the favorite to land class of 2027 recruit, five-star athlete Honor Fa’alava-Johnson. USC has some competition, with Fa’alava-Johnson recently paying a visit to the California Golden Bears.

Jan 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Chad Baker-Mazara (4) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Basketball

USC Trojans guard Chad Baker-Mazara suffered a knee injury in USC's win over the Indiana Hoosiers on Tuesday night. Trojans coach Eric Musselman revealed what the diagnosis was from the MRI.

Dec 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman holds up Fight On sign after victory against the UTSA Roadrunners at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Basketball

The USC Trojans knocked off the Indiana Hoosiers 81-75 to improve their record to 17-6 on the season. Where do the Trojans now find themselves when it comes to the NCAA Tournament bubble?

Jan 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard Jazzy Davidson (9) warms up prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Basketball

USC Trojans freshman guard Jazzy Davison has been named the Freshman of the Week in college basketball. The former five-star recruit has stepped up big time for the Trojans this season.

Feb 2, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks on during Opening Night for Super Bowl LX at San Jose Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Football

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was one of the main attractions at Super Bowl LX Opening Night. The former USC Trojans quarterback will become the first ever former Trojan to start at quarterback in a Super Bowl.

Steph Curry talks to the media Friday after taking the lead with 27 points in the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

Basketball

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry paid a tribute to USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins before Friday night's Warriors-Pistons game. Curry was wearing JuJu's signature shoe in pregame warmups.

Cory Pappas

Joined: Aug 29, 2024

This Prediction for 5-Star Recruit Honor Fa’alave-Johnson Will Excite USC Fans

USC Behind Four Big Ten Teams in Way-Too-Early Top 25 Rankings

Effect of Potential College Football Playoff Expansion on USC-Notre Dame Rivalry

Intriguing 4-Star Quarterback Recruit Reveals USC Visit Date

Football

Re-Ranking of USC's Makai Lemon in His High School Recruiting Class

Football

USC's Place Among National Title Contenders Heading Into Next Season

Football

USC's Surprising Standing Among Teams With Best Future

Football

Early Big Ten Projections Spell Trouble For USC, Lincoln Riley

Football

Former USC Coach Ed Orgeron Delivers Message to Sam Darnold Before Super Bowl

Football

USC Must Do This To Stand Out Among Stars in Los Angeles

Football

Surprise School Emerges For USC Recruiting Target Honor Fa’alava-Johnson

Basketball

USC's Eric Musselman Delivers Key Injury Update on Chad Baker-Mazara

USC’s NCAA Tournament Projection Just Shifted in a Major Way

USC Star Freshman Jazzy Davidson Continues to Rack Up Awards

Sam Darnold Reveals What It Means to Represent USC at the Super Bowl

Steph Curry Gives Tribute to USC Star JuJu Watkins