Lincoln Riley Names Three Priorities for USC Trojans’ Season

The USC Trojans are continuing to prepare for a highly anticipated 2026 season. Up to this point in fall camp, the Trojans have been optimistic about the team's potential and ability to meet or even exceed some of the high expectations surrounding the program. However, there is still plenty of room for growth before the Trojans line up against San Jose State in the season opener on Aug. 29.

The picture may become even clearer on exactly where the Trojans are in their development and preparation as the team holds its first scrimmage of fall camp.

USC Trojans Lincoln Riley 2026 football fall camp defense depth roster college football season game day preparation scrimmage — Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Ahead of the scrimmage, Lincoln Riley outlined what he wants to see from his team as it enters another important stage of fall camp.

“We're gonna look at the roster, make a decision on who we want to see in some live situations, some live tackling, and then some of the guys will keep Thud tomorrow, and I think those are some of the biggest decisions we have as coaches right now, just based on the nature of practices that we've had up to this point,” Riley said.

Here are three areas Riley will be focused on developing as fall camp continues.

Lincoln Riley Evaluates USC's Depth

One of the biggest points Riley has stressed throughout fall camp has been the importance of depth. When playing in one of the nation's most physical conferences like the Big Ten, injuries and player availability could be up in the air each week. Any team that has intentions of competing for a national championship must have the depth to withstand the bumps and bruises that come from a long football season where there are physical battles each week.

“We’re definitely focusing on developing our depth, and that will definitely be a focus point of it tomorrow as well,” said Riley. “Just knowing it’s a long season, and you’re going to rely on all different types of guys on Saturdays, and obviously we’re going to rely on everybody, you know, Monday through Sunday through Friday in terms of our prep, and we’re going to need this entire roster.”

Riley mentioned how USC is not only working to identify its game 1 starters but is also considering contingency plans for potential injuries and other roster changes. The Trojans will have to navigate a 12-game regular season against a schedule that includes high-stakes road trips to Rutgers, Penn State, Wisconsin and Indiana.

“We’re working through some different combinations to not only settle in on what we think might be the game 1 starters, but then you’re also starting to think ahead of contingencies,” said Riley.

The first scrimmage will give USC another chance to evaluate those players against live competition rather than relying solely on what they have shown in practice.

USC’s Defense Remains a Major Focus

One of the biggest points of emphasis for the Trojans has been improving the defense, since USC's defense represents another major area of development for the Trojans entering 2026. Historically, the defense has been a hindrance for Lincoln Riley's program, though there has been improvement.

The Trojans allowed 23.0 points per game last season, which ranked 51st nationally. They also allowed 350.8 yards per game, ranking 47th in the FBS, while giving up 143.2 rushing yards per game, which ranked 58th.

“I wouldn't agree with struggle at all,” said Riley when asked specifically about the struggles of his defense. “Now I will say, is our expectation to be a lot better? Absolutely, it is, and we know that's an important step for our program to make to take, and that's why we've made some of the hires that we've made. It's why we've made some of the choices in recruiting.”

Hall of Fame coach Gary Patterson was brought in as defensive coordinator after a 21-season run as the head coach at TCU.

The Trojans also added several pieces to the roster who could immediately compete for roles on the defensive side of the ball. Alex VanSumeren arrives from Michigan State after starting 24 games during his time with the Spartans. Defensive end Zuriah Fisher transferred from Penn State. The Trojans also added cornerback Jontez Williams out of Iowa State as well as linebacker Deven Bryant from Washington.

“We've been able to build a roster that we feel like defensively is very capable of being one of the top defenses in the country,” said Riley Monday.

The goal now is to turn the combination of new coaching, added experience and returning talent into a defense that can consistently perform at a higher level.

USC Trojans Replicate Game-Day Pressure

The third area Riley will be watching closely is how USC handles the transition from practice to a game-like environment, particularly among the freshmen.

There are elements of football that can only truly be evaluated once players are asked to operate in a more natural game flow. Tuesday's scrimmage will take place inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which gives the Trojans an opportunity to recreate some of the environment they will face during the season.

Being accustomed to game-day atmospheres will be important as USC works toward a schedule that features several major home games at the Coliseum, including Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State.

With the season opener against San Jose State less than three weeks away, the first scrimmage gives Riley and his staff another important checkpoint. USC already knows it has experience, highly regarded newcomers and more competition across the roster. Now the focus is on determining which players can translate that potential into consistent execution.

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