‘‘What happens if the Trojans finish 7-5 or 8-4?’‘ –  “It means he’s on the hot seat.” Oh, Riley: To go from “the best hires” to “USC is a disaster” is a downfall not many would want to see. In a short span of 2 years, Lincoln Riley‘s run with the Trojans spiraled out of control. Albeit coming off of a strong 11-3 under Caleb Williams‘ banner, we saw the foundation tremble in 2023 when then Trojans and Lincoln Riley ended the year with an 8-win record. All the mics were on Riley, and fans wanted an answer: “Will the Trojans make a comeback?” The 2024 conquest says otherwise. They got a 7-6 record, but credit where credit is due, Riley did manage to secure a Las Vegas Bowl win for the program.

Now when we summarize all of it and circle back to the promise of a potential USC uprise, one question rings in our head: “What will make it possible?” – “The reason why this place won a national championship back in 2005? If you look and do research, over 80 percent of the classes that were signed back then were from the state of California. So I know the proof, and I know where it’s located,” USC Football GM Chad Bowden hints. Now, this is something interesting. If you look at the 2004-05 class, USC dominated every single team on the schedule.

These guys were averaging 30+ points in every single game, and on the QB front, coming straight from Cali, Matt Leinart was a monster. And so was the running corps, with LenDale White on RB and Dwayne Jarrett as WR. Now, fast forward to the Trojans 2026 class, and you will find hints of an impending uprising beginning to take shape.

No. 1 class in the nation and No. 1 class in the B1G. Sure, Riley lost their star QB to Colorado, but that hasn’t stopped this recruitment machine from grinding its gears and spinning a world-class roster. USC got themselves 2 elites in his 2026 class: Xavier Griffin and RJ Sermons.

On the QB front, they have Jonas Williams. Then, coming from Cali, you have Simote Katoanga, Trent Mosley, Joshua Holland, John Fifita, and Madden Riorden. All 4- and 3-star players are ready to rock your wild. Safe to say, all 33 FBS teams have been warned.

“History repeats itself. It always does.”

Pete Carroll’s 2002-04 classes were peak USC performance. All massive recruits coming from Cali will be the crux of Bowden’s movement. “My plan and my vision is to bring that back and to take care of this state. The state deserves it,” Chad pointed out.

Despite what happens in 2025, Riley has some new hope for the 2026 run. The talent right in the backyard of the Trojans shall become their hope for a comeback. Not only that, how can we forget the coaching staff changes?

Bowden wasn’t the only new hire at USC. Rob Ryan is in as the assistant HC for defense, and this sets up the perfect Ryan x Eric Gentry romance. “This guy’s going to be fun to work with. He’s got these vines for arms,” was what Ryan had to say when talking about training with Gentry.

This will surely push for a positive change in the Trojans defense. Further, Luke Huard is now your OC. He did a praiseworthy job as the QB coaching and now his lead role in game planning will become crucial for a Trojans victory.