Jalon Dixon covers the USC Trojans and Maryland Terrapins for On SI, bringing fans the stories behind the scores. From breaking news to in-depth features, he delivers sharp analysis and fresh perspective across football, basketball, and more. With experience covering everything from the NFL to college hoops, Dixon blends insider knowledge with a knack for storytelling that keeps readers coming back.
As the USC Trojans await spring camp, three Trojans stand out as potential 2026 All-American candidates that could headline coach Lincoln Riley’s next playoff push.
USC Trojans freshman has more than lived up to the hype of entering the season as one of the top newcomers in college basketball, emerging as the frontrunner for National Freshman of the Year while the Trojans surge towards March.
The USC Trojans leads all programs with 54 wide receivers drafted in NFL history and could soon add Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane to the list, further strengthening the Trojans’ case as the true “Wide Receiver U.”
The USC Trojans had one of the top offenses in the Big Ten in 2025, but the success of USC quarterback Jayden Maiava and the Trojans could hinge on this sophomore.
USC Trojans star freshman Alijah Arenas is a game-time decision due to illness ahead of a critical matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini, leaving the injury-riddled Trojans searching for scoring against one of the Big Ten’s top teams.
One analyst believes the USC Trojans’ midseason road game against the Penn State Nittany Lions could define their 2026 season, citing Lincoln Riley’s road struggles and the College Football Playoff stakes tied to a must-win in matchup Happy Valley.
The Baltimore Ravens are projected to select USC Trojans star Makai Lemon at No. 14 in a recent 2026 NFL Mock Draft, signaling a bold move to give quarterback Lamar Jackson a true Day 1 No. 1 receiver after ranking near the bottom in key receiving metrics
In a way-too-early look at the 2026 Heisman race, USC Trojans' Jayden Maiava was ranked outside the top 10 and behind California Golden Bears sophomore Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, raising questions about who truly holds the quarterback crown in California.
With four of its top pass catchers gone, the USC Trojans now turn to a talented group of freshman receivers. The Trojans are betting that one or more can unlock a defining trait to earn early playing time and stabilize the passing game under Lincoln Riley
Former Lakers champion Metta World Peace makes a bold claim, comparing USC Trojans star freshman Alijah Arenas to Kobe Bryant. As injuries mount for the Trojans, Arenas’ rise could shape USC’s push in the Big Ten race.
USC Trojans quietly finished as one of the Big Ten’s top rushing teams in 2025. With the conference landscape shifting and the Trojans trending upward in the backfield, 2026 could be the season the Trojans takes full control of the ground game.