ESPN highlights ‘wild card’ in USC football’s stellar offseason overhaul
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USC football has had a taste of success under Lincoln Riley , but in four seasons, the Trojans have yet to field a truly elite team. Sure, the Caleb Williams years were explosive and exciting, but the Riley never had a championship-level defense that could really compete with the likes of Ohio State and now Indiana at the top of the Big Ten .
Now, heading into his fifth season as the USC head coach, Riley is ready to get the program back to those heights. USC invested heavily in its roster and coaching staff this offseason, earning the No. 6 spot in ESPN’s offseason rankings.
However, there is one move that USC desperately needs to work out. After losing D’Anton Lynn to Penn State , Riley hired longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson as the new DC in Southern California. ESPN identified Patterson as the “wild card” that needs to work out for USC to take a major step forward in 2026.
Patterson was known for coaching some elite defenses during his 22 seasons as the head coach at TCU. During that time, he had a 181-79 record and won a Rose Bowl, so he has plenty of pedigree. Since resigning in 2021, Patterson has spent some time in smaller roles at Baylor and Texas before coming to USC.
From a personnel standpoint, USC also underwent some major improvements despite losing star receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane to the NFL. The Trojans should have one of the best offensive lines in the Big Ten to block for running backs King Miller and Waymond Jordan , both of whom are returning.
Star quarterback Jayden Maiava will come into the 2026 season as a Heisman Trophy contender and a potential first-round pick. While his receiving core won’t be quite as talented in 2026 as it was last season, a step forward from the veteran signal-caller should help USC’s offense stay near the top of the Big Ten. For a USC team that should be more balanced next season either Patterson leading the defense, that is a scary thought for the rest of the Big Ten.
Related: Lane Kiffin’s first offseason with LSU earns top-5 ESPN ranking
