Thanks to their recent surge on the recruiting trail, the long-term outlook for USC football is certainly trending upward. But where do the Trojans project over the next two seasons?
On Wednesday, ESPN released their future college football power rankings, ranking the Power Four teams from 1-68 on their outlook for 2025 and 2026. USC just missed the top 25 of the rankings, coming in at No. 26.
Here is some of what they had to say about the Trojans:
“[Head coach Lincoln] Riley wants to become less transfer-reliant after too many boom-or-bust outcomes during his first three seasons. He beefed up USC’s personnel department and the result is a 2026 recruiting class currently ranked No. 1 nationally. The incoming transfer class isn’t as decorated but should help in areas like offensive and defensive line, secondary and running back.
“There’s not many no-doubt national stars entering the season, but USC could get there with wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, Paige on the offensive line and returning defenders like safety Kamari Ramsey and linebacker Eric Gentry. The transfers could certainly factor in here, including at running back, where Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders arrive.
“Riley needs a true breakthrough in Year 4, but USC finally has the infrastructure to build better and more stable rosters for the future. Coordinator D’Anton Lynn leads an impressive defensive staff that returns from 2024, and Riley’s influence remains on the offensive side, as he bumped Luke Huard to coordinator after Josh Henson departed.”
USC fans are certainly hoping that the Trojans will be significantly better than the 26th best team in the country over the next two seasons. It now falls on Riley to prove his doubters wrong and exceed expectations.
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