USC has a talented group of freshmen who are already on campus and ready to make an impact from day one. However, for the Trojans to compete at a high level in 2026, they can’t rely solely on young players. The team needs a balance between incoming talent and experienced veterans who can step up and lead.

A great example of this is Miami, which had key contributions from freshmen like receiver Malachi Toney and safety Bryce Fitzgerald during their run to the national championship. But what made that success possible was the presence of veteran players who also developed into stars. Long-term player development is essential for sustained success.

Last season, several young players at USC became starters or played significant roles. Now, it’s time for them to take the next step in the fall.

Jahkeem Stewart, Defensive Line

Jahkeem Stewart was one of the top recruits in the 2025 class. After a tough recruiting battle, the Trojans landed the New Orleans native. Despite playing the entire season with a stress fracture in his foot and graduating high school a year early, Stewart ranked second on the team in tackles for loss, earning him Freshman All-American honors.

For a player who hadn’t taken a live snap in two years, his first season was crucial for development. Now, it’s time for Stewart to make a big leap. USC needs a dominant force in the interior of its defensive line, and Stewart is the player everyone is looking at.

Desman Stephens, Linebacker

The middle of the defense needs to improve, and that includes Mike linebacker Desman Stephens, who had an inconsistent season in 2025. After appearing in all 13 games as a true freshman primarily as a special teams player, Stephens stepped into a starting role this past season.

With physical attributes like his 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame, Stephens has the potential to be a standout. His background as a receiver and defensive back means he’s still adjusting to his current role. His best game came against Nebraska, where he was physical and aggressive. That kind of play needs to become consistent.

Stephens has now seen action in all 26 games of his collegiate career, including one season as a full-time starter. The hope is that a player with that experience can grow into an All-Big Ten linebacker as an upperclassman.

Mike Ekeler, who comes over from Nebraska to coach special teams and linebackers, has a track record of developing elite defenders. During his time at Tennessee from 2021-2024, he coached a first-team All-SEC linebacker each of his final three seasons.

Marcelles Williams, Cornerback

Marcelles Williams received praise when he arrived on campus in the spring of 2024. However, in a senior-heavy cornerback room, he only appeared in one game and redshirted. His name was consistently mentioned heading into the 2025 season, but games are different from practices.

Williams became a full-time starter in week 3 and struggled early. However, he improved significantly in the second half of the season, becoming a completely different player by November. His best game of the season came on the road against Nebraska, where he broke up a pass late in the third quarter, leading to an interception by Stewart and helping the Trojans pull off a comeback victory.

His final play of the season against TCU was regrettable, but Williams has two choices: respond and become a better player because of it, or let it define him. The choice is his.

Competition at cornerback will be intense. USC signed the No. 1 transfer cornerback, Jontez Williams, and Chasen Johnson returns after missing most of last season due to a knee injury. They also signed several recruits in the 2026 class, including five-star Elbert Hill and four-star Brandon Lockhart. It’ll be hard to keep freshman RJ Sermons off the field another year, and 2025 four-star Trestin Castro will also be pushing.

Williams won’t shy away from competition. He’s the youngest of three brothers, all of whom were Division I defensive backs. If he’s the best option and raises his game, he will remain in the lineup.

Kameryn Crawford, Defensive End

Expectations were high for sophomore defensive end Kameryn Crawford coming into the 2025 season. After being thrust into the rotation as a true freshman, he led the Trojans in sacks this past season with 5.5.

That number needs to be closer to double digits. USC desperately needs a consistent pass rusher, and Crawford should be the veteran player to provide it, along with Braylan Shelby. This is Crawford’s third season in the program, and the player development has to take shape.

Like Stephens, Crawford has flashed in his first couple of seasons, both as a pass rusher and run defender, but he needs to be more consistent and blossom into an all-conference kind of player.

His impact will greatly affect the secondary and help give the Trojans a front four that is necessary to be competitive at the top of the Big Ten.

Christian Pierce, Safety

With injuries at nickel in fall camp, Kamari Ramsey moved down to that position, and Christian Pierce stepped into a starting role in his junior season and remained there all year. When Ramsey and Consensus All-American Bishop Fitzgerald suffered injuries late in the season, Pierce became the vocal leader in the secondary.

It felt natural for the Trojans safety because of his experience in the program and learning from the veterans around him. With Ramsey and Fitzgerald heading to the NFL, that role becomes permanent for Pierce.

He will need to be a player that helps elevate others such as defensive back Alex Graham and safeties Kennedy Urlacher and Marquis Gallegos.

Paul Gonzales comes over from Baylor to replace Doug Belk as the secondary coach. He and Patterson coached former TCU safety Tre’von Moehrig, the 2020 Jim Thorpe Award winner, presented annually to the nation’s best defensive back.