The Trojans are cooking—and this time, it’s for real. For the past two years, Lincoln Riley’s spring transfer portal game has been aggressive. In 2023, USC patched up the trenches. In 2024, it was about plugging defensive voids and shoring up special teams. But 2025? Whole different vibe. The Trojans aren’t chasing quick fixes anymore. And their roster looks pretty loaded. The urgency? Way down. With the portal price tags soaring (thanks to looming House settlement payouts), Riley’s not in a hurry. Instead of throwing darts, he’s building for the long haul—zeroing in on that elite 2026 class.

And while fans and media may obsess over stars and depth charts, Riley knows better. Games aren’t won on paper. In a sport where potential is everywhere, consistency is king. Flash turns heads, but dependability keeps you on the field. But off the field? USC just made its biggest move yet. They brought in Chad Bowden—the former mastermind behind Notre Dame’s recruiting machine—as general manager. And according to Josh Pate, that changes everything.

“They know what it feels like when you are there and when you are not there.” That’s the kind of perspective Bowden brings to Los Angeles. On the April 17 episode of The College Football show, Josh Pate didn’t just hype the hire—he pulled back the curtain on USC’s whole vibe right now. “The vibe was that of a place where the internal feeling is so totally detached from the outside world.” Well, while outsiders are wondering if USC’s for real, Lincoln Riley’s building a machine behind closed doors.

Trojans are hot on the trail for Kennedy Urlacher, and it feels like a great fit. He’s already familiar with the West Coast, having made a name for himself in Arizona. And get this, new USC GM Chad Bowden actually recruited him once before at Notre Dame. With Kamari Ramsey locking down the safety spot as one of the best in college football, the rest of the secondary could definitely use a boost, and Urlacher might just be that missing piece. If he commits, it’s another big sign that the Trojans aren’t just preparing; they’re locked and loaded for a serious run in 2025, with everything pointing towards a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.

Josh Pate didn’t sugarcoat anything. After visiting campus and getting the inside feel, he made it clear—he’s buying what USC’s selling. “I think USC will be in the College Football Playoff picture this year. I think they’ll be a player in it. Don’t know if they’ll make it. Starting next year and beyond—I think they’re there. I have very little doubt about that.”

That’s not some outsider’s guess—that’s someone who walked through the facility, talked to the staff, and felt the pulse. It’s not hype, it’s confidence. USC isn’t chasing relevance anymore—they’re on the edge of greatness. And Pate didn’t stop there. He backed up his claim with full conviction.

“I do happen to fall on—just for the record—I happen to fall on the side of thinking there is a lot of validity to the vibe in the building. Many of you won’t agree with that. That’s okay. That’s why they make them play the games. But just so you know where I stand, I went out there already with a pretty good hunch that, yeah, this is legit. And I did not have that feeling changed at all being around there yesterday,” he said. So yeah, USC’s playoff future isn’t just buzz—it’s a building belief. And the pieces? They’re falling into place, especially with guys like Jadyn Walker.

Lincoln Riley drops major Jadyn Walker update

As USC wraps up spring camp, the buzz around practice hasn’t just been about big-name transfers or five-star commits—it’s been about breakout names. And one name, in particular, is getting louder: Jadyn Walker.

You know Lincoln Riley doesn’t usually mince words, and when he was asked about that redshirt freshman linebacker—the 3-star recruit who only saw the field for one game last year in the Las Vegas Bowl against Texas A&M—he definitely had some thoughts. In a room that’s still looking for depth and dependability, Walker’s rise couldn’t be more perfectly timed. “His body’s dramatically changed. And he’s just come out here more confident. No question, he’s going to help this football team a lot, and he’s going to be a really bright spot when you’re going to look at the future as well.”

That’s not filler talk. That’s Riley tipping his hand on a guy he believes can make a real impact—not just this fall, but long-term. From the bowl game to spring practices, Walker has been turning heads. He’s filled out, sped up, and stepped up. Right now, there’s still some talk that USC could dip into the portal for linebacker help. But Walker’s rise might change that plan. He’s giving the staff something to seriously think about. If he keeps up the momentum, the Trojans may already have their answer on the roster.

He’s not just one of those “future guy” names anymore—he’s looking ready now. And that’s huge. Because for USC to take that leap from “playoff hopeful” to “playoff ready,” they’ll need more than stars—they’ll need contributors like Walker stepping up and owning the moment. For years, USC has had the flash but lacked the follow-through. This time? It feels different. With the transfer portal quiet, the roster steady, and a key front-office hire now in place, Riley isn’t scrambling—he’s planning.