Lincoln Riley’s time as head coach for the USC Trojans hasn’t quite met expectations. Sure, there were glimpses of brilliance, especially during his inaugural season in 2022, but USC has yet to reach the College Football Playoff or compete for a Big Ten Championship. Some of that can be attributed to Riley himself, as the team’s defense has been, well, not great during his initial two years.
However, part of the struggle might also stem from USC’s lack of preparation for the new landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL) recruitment. Despite an impressive alumni network, a prime location in Los Angeles, and a history of success, the athletic department, coaching staff, and financial supporters weren’t quite in sync with the changes brought on by NIL. This has made recruitment challenging; in 2024 and 2025, the team’s national rankings slipped to 18th and 15th, respectively. Unsurprisingly, that dropped ranking mirrored their overall performance as reflected in various analytics.
Now, fast forward to 2026, and USC boasts the top recruiting class in the nation, thanks in large part to new general manager Chad Bowden and enhanced coordination among supporters. Riley has already made some bold statements about what this means for the program.
Riley Claims USC is More ‘Complete’ Than Ever
In a recent conversation with Jim Rome, Riley expressed, “Jim, I think this is going to be the most complete roster we’ve had here at USC.” He mentioned the return of some valuable players poised for strong seasons in critical positions, such as quarterback, offensive line, and more.
But it’s not just about past talent; Riley is enthusiastic about the new recruits as well. “We have quite a bit there, it’s an exciting starting point,” he noted. “With a great recruiting class, we signed the No. 1 class in the nation.”
He added that having most of the players available for spring practice is a significant advantage. “This combination from a roster standpoint is exciting, and we’re improving every year,” he said.
Yet, Riley took it a step further, indicating that the current class and returning players put them in a strong position to contend for a championship. “I think there’s a lot of optimism,” he said. “We came here to win a championship at USC, and we feel ready to accomplish that.”
No one can deny this is shaping up as Riley’s best squad yet at USC. The blend of top recruits, solid transfer players, and crucial returning athletes looks strong. However, skepticism remains until he manages to win a significant game against a highly-ranked opponent. Sure, he had successes like defeating Notre Dame with Caleb Williams and a blowout win over Michigan in 2025, but the 2026 schedule poses significant challenges.
With opponents like Ohio, Oregon, and Washington, plus tough away games in Pennsylvania and Indiana, as well as a rivalry matchup against UCLA at the Rose Bowl, the road to a championship is steep. To be a serious contender, Riley will need to pull off some wins against teams like Ohio State or Oregon State, along with Indiana or Penn State. Having a talented roster is one thing; effectively utilizing that talent is a whole different ballgame. Prove it on the field, and then the conversation can really begin.
