What USC's Alamo Bowl Performance Reveals About Trojans' Wide Receiver Room

The USC Trojans suffered a loss in the Alamo Bowl, but there were bright spots. With the performance of wide receivers Tanook Hines and Jaden Richardson, the USC Trojans continue to prove that they develop the wide receiver position at a high level.

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 | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Although the USC Trojans suffered a loss in the Alamo Bowl against the TCU Horned Frogs, the program once again demonstrated their ability to develop wide receivers. The Trojans were without several key starters on offense, but the wide receivers on the team stepped up.

Throughout the season, one of the biggest storylines on the offense has been USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. Without Lemon in the Alamo Bowl, as well as Ja’Kobi Lane, wide receivers Tanook Hines and Jaden Richardson helped put the Trojans in a position to win.

Oct 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jaden Richardson Makes Clutch Plays

Richardson played the final game of his collegiate career, and while he may not have been the biggest name this season, the Trojans’ receiver went out in a big way.

Richardson had one of the biggest plays of the game in the third quarter when the Trojans were down by one against TCU. On a third-and-eight play, he made a contested one-handed catch for the touchdown that put USC in the lead. 

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Richardson finished the game with two receptions for 31 yards and one touchdown. He had the only receiving touchdown of the game. Richardson’s performance shows that USC puts its players in a position to be able to find success and make clutch plays, whether they are the team’s No. 1 receiver or not.

Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Utah Utes during the second half in the PAC-12 Football Championship at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Tanook Hines Shows High Ceiling

The way Hines performed against TCU is another highlight for the Trojans. Hines is just a true freshman, and he led the team in receiving yards in the Alamo Bowl. He finished with six receptions for 163 yards. 

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His performance against TCU resembles the way Lane and Lemon performed in the 2024 Las Vegas Bowl. The Trojans had just faced a mass exodus in the Transfer Portal, including several receivers. Without key starters, Lemon and Lane stepped up and played a key role in the Trojans' win. Lane had seven receptions for 127 yards and three touchdowns, and Lemon had six receptions for 99 yards.

Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USC wide receiver Makai Lemon speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

The way the two performed added anticipation for the 2025 season, and both are now headed toward the 2026 NFL Draft. While USC was without its three leading receivers in the Alamo Bowl, Hines took advantage of his opportunity.

Hines stepped up throughout the season, totalling 561 receiving yards and two touchdowns, but his performance in the Alamo Bowl showed his potential that can be unleashed in 2026.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava will return to the Trojans in 2026, a big benefit for the offense. The Alamo Bowl gave Maiava and Hines a chance to build a stronger connection ahead of their pursuit of a College Football Playoff appearance in 2026.

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) warms up prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

USC Continues To Make Case For Wide Receiver University

The Trojans are sending two wide receivers to the NFL Draft this season and will continue to do so moving forward. USC coach Lincoln Riley continues to put receivers in a position to succeed, and even with losing Lemon and Lane next year, the Trojans’ offense can still succeed with its receivers.

Through the 2026 recruiting class, the Trojans signed several elite receivers. Four-star wide receiver Ethan “Boobie” Feater is one of the best at the position in the class. Feaster will be a player to watch early in his collegiate career with the Trojans.

With how USC develops its wide receivers, the Trojans' offense will continue to put the team in a position to win while developing NFL Draft picks.