2026 USC Trojans

[Phall]

Since 2006, USC has started 8, 6, 7, 5, 6, 6, 3, 5, 4, 6, 6, 5, 6, 3, 4, 4, 6, 8, 3, and 2 starters. In 2026, they project to start 4.

Despite a big program budget, Lincoln Riley’s teams haven’t really won any games they weren’t supposed to. His worst season over five years at Oklahoma was better than his best finish in four seasons at USC. His contract is probably still too big for him to be fired if this year goes sideways.

Five star freshman Mark Bowman skipped his senior year of high school to get a head start on his pro career. He’s projected to beat out Wisconsin transfer Tucker Ashcroft as starting tight end.

We’ve pondered the heritage of LT Elijah Paige the past couple of seasons. He’s cut his long hair, so I’m promoting him to white.

Backup QB Sam Huard is on his fourth school - his father and uncle were both NFL quarterbacks. His other uncle is on the USC coaching staff, but the team is hoping Lincoln Riley’s star colored boy doesn’t let Sam press the issue.

Michigan State transfer Alex VanSumeran starts at nose tackle. True freshman DE Luke Wafle might crack the line rotation. VanSumeran’s older brother Ben is bouncing around the NFL. Wafle’s older brother Owen currently plays d-line for Duke.

Brian Urlacher’s mulatto son, who he sired with a black stripper, starts at safety.


Starters:
TE: Mark Bowman
LT: Elijah Paige
C: Killian O’Connor

NT: Alex VanSumeran


Backups:
QB: Sam Huard
TE: Tucker Ashcroft, Carson Tabaraci
OL: Hayden Treter, Aaron Dunn

DE: Luke Wafle

 

[Phall]

Immediately after posting, I read that Killian O'Connor is out for the season. Unless Treter kicks up, this total goes back down to 3.

 

[Truthteller]

Michigan State transfer Alex VanSumeran starts at nose tackle. True freshman DE Luke Wafle might crack the line rotation. VanSumeran’s older brother Ben is bouncing around the NFL. Wafle’s older brother Owen currently plays d-line for Duke.

Prior to each season, I try to (hope to) check all the F.B.S. rosters, at least a quick glance to see the faces. While checking out Luke Wafle, this stunned me...in a good way!:

Luke Wafle finished the 2026 recruiting cycle as the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation, according to Rivals.

Shades of Brian Cushing, who went from Jersey to U.S.C. as a 1st team high school All-American? Wafle might be rated higher than Cushing was. Hopefully, Wafle is being seen as "Bosa type" (both) .... High end NFL prospect, who will leave as soon as he's NFL eligible and be a high first round pick.

If one is wondering why he went to a very caste SoCal program, cash might be the reason:

NIL and Recruitment Details

• • Reported Value: Estimated at $2.2 to $2.6 million covering a multi-year agreement.
  • The Bidding Battle: Secured by USC over a late push and increased offer from Ohio State.

Rivals ranks USC signee Luke Wafle as No. 1 recruit in 2026 class

The Trojans are bringing in a player one site has listed as the No. 1 recruit in the country for the Class of 2026

trojanswire.usatoday.com

 

[jphoss]

You know it’s bad when Pete carroll’s teams had double the amount of starting whites!

 

[TwentyTwo]

Yeah Truthteller....watching the All American HS Bowl back in January ...immediately said "WHO IS THAT" on the D-Line???
Had the makings of a Future Starter in the NFL one day.....Luke Wafle Won MVP in the game!

Going to be difficult to keep Wafle off the field as a Freshman @ USC....Bosa a good comparison!

 

[Truthteller]

Yes, Twenty-Two, all indications point to Luke Wafle being very special, as long as he stays healthy. Supposedly, he went from a 4-star to 5-star after that all-star game. Should've been a slam-dunk 5 star (plus) all along!

I stopped watching these high-school all-star games years ago, because of the lack of Whites. I think the last one I watched had (then) Ohio State recruit Alex Anzalone and (then) Louisiana State recruit Trey Quinn playing. That was a while ago.

Hopefully the Bosa (brothers) comparison is accurate. Just the N.I.L. money he's getting, tells you how highly regarded he is....No way he should not be a starter right away. He's definitely a player to watch from Day 1.

So far, he's been "lights-out" for the Trojans and is clearly pushing to start: https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/st...-luke-wafle-freshman-huge-impact/91238939007/

Here's a snip-it from another Yahoo article. Nice to know the #1 recruit (Rivals) is also a "lunch-pail" type worker

Freshman defensive end Luke Wafle was the crown jewel of the Trojans No. 1 class in the 2026 cycle. Wafle, the No. 1 overall prospect in the class, made waves during winter workouts because of his workmanlike demeanor.

His 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame immediately catches the eye but the process behind it is more impressive. Penn State transfer Zuriah Fisher raved in the spring about his pro approach when it came to his diet and taking care of his body. During the teams Media Day earlier this month, it was his character that players were buzzing about.

On the field, the word alpha was used numerous times by sources in the spring. That momentum has carried into camp and he's a player that could be hard to keep out of the starting lineup to open the season.

P.S: The offensive line version of Luke Walfle (expected future high #1 pick) is University of Miami freshman (left tackle) Jackson Cantwell