TROJANS IN THE PROS - USC Trojans On SI - Sports Illustrated

TROJANS IN THE PROS

Dec 28, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, former USC Trojans star, has arguably the biggest start of his football career when his team takes on the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs.

Dec 28, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Football

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, former USC Trojans star, has arguably the biggest start of his football career when his team takes on the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs.

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Dec 28, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

Football

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has a chance to redeem his NFL playoff career against the San Francisco 49ers after struggling last season with the Minnesota Vikings.

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

Football

Former USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon is tabbed as one of the best receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft class and is projected to be selected in the first round.

Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Football

Despite having an illustrious quarterback history, the USC Trojan program is missing one major milestone. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold can change that during the playoffs.

Dec 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) jogs onto the field prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Football

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has impressed NFL analysts this season. After leading the Bears to a Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers, he now has a chance to carry that momentum deep into the playoffs and set the tone for next season.

USC Trojans Los Angeles Lakers Bronny James LeBron James Eric Musselman Big Ten Nikes Jazzy Davidson Juju Watkins NBA

Basketball

USC’s presence in the NBA surfaced in an unexpected way during a recent Los Angeles Lakers game featuring former Trojan Bronny James. Lakers star LeBron James debuted a custom pair of Nike shoes that honored Bronny’s career at USC.

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Football

Running back Woody Marks had a breakout performance in the Houston Texans' 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round.

Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USC head coach Lincoln Riley speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

Football

The USC Trojans have yet to hire a new defensive coordinator after the exit of D'Anton Lynn. Lynn spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons as USC's defensive coordinator before leaving for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Here are some former NFL coaches that USC cou

Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Football

Caleb Williams delivered a jaw-dropping throw late in the fourth quarterback of the Chicago Bears three-touchdown comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers. His throw drew lofty admiration from the national media.

Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Football

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams led a historic comeback over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round. Williams was emotional afterwards when talking about his head coach Ben Johnson. Their growing relationship has led to the Bears success.

Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Football

Former USC Trojans have paved the way this NFL Wild Card round, especially the younger NFL stars like Houston Texans Calen Bullock and Woody Marks. In their dominant 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, both contributed to Houston's road playoff win.

Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Football

Former USC Trojans star quarterback Caleb Williams helped lead the Chicago Bears to a historic 31-27 comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round. What were the key plays that Williams made that helped fuel the comeback?

Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Football

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams fired back at legendary rapper Lil Wayne on social media after the franchise's historic playoff win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.

Nov 11, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley talks to quarterback Caleb Williams (13) during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium.

Football

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams orchestrated an 18-point comeback on Saturday night to defeat the Green Bay Packers in his playoff debut. His former USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley reacted to Williams late-game heroics.

Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.

Football

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams pulled off a comeback win over the Green Bay Packers, giving the former USC Trojans star his first playoff win in the NFL.

Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Football

Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams had the biggest win of his young NFL career, leading the Chicago Bears to a 31-27 comeback win over the rival Green Bay Packers.

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) warms up on the field before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Football

April's NFL Draft is still a long way away and USC Trojans receiver Ja'Kobi Lane is staying local in Southern California, training with former NFL receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh, ahead of taking part in the Panini Senior Bowl.

USC Trojans NFL Draft Receiver Makai Lemon Lincoln Riley Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft Puka Nacua Davante Adams Sean McVay

Football

USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon is tabbed as one of the most valuable wide receivers in this year's NFL Draft class. In a recent mock Draft, Lemon's projected team happens to be in USC's backyard.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) high fives fans after their game Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime.

Football

Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams has been impressive in the NFL in year two, making history for the Chicago Bears.

Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Football

Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams is in his second season with the Chicago Bears, and has been impressive through the season. Despite the Bears 19-16 loss to Detroit, Williams became the Bears newest single-season passing leader since 1995.

Jan 3, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Football

Former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold has made NFL history with the Seattle Seahawks, becoming one of only two quarterbacks to have back-to-back 14-plus win seasons, joining an all-time great.

Dec 14, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Football

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams put on a show against the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the loss, the second-year signal-caller is starting to showcase the same potential that made him a standout at USC.

Oct 19, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Southern California Trojans cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson (17) warms cup before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Football

After declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft, USC cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson will play for the Trojans in the Alamo Bowl against the TCU Horned Frogs. Why did Nicholson choose to play for USC in the Alamo Bowl over preparing for the NFL Draft?

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) warms up before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Football

The USC Trojans have two of the best wide receivers prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane have a chance to make program history by becoming the first pair of wide receivers selected in the first round.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) high fives fans after their game Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime.

Football

Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams has punched his ticket to the playoffs with the Chicago Bears, the team's first trip to the postseason since 2020.