The 2025 season is a defining moment for Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans. After a disappointing 7-6 campaign and a brutal three-game skid, Riley has a lot to prove. Following back-to-back seasons that fell short of sky-high expectations, USC hit the reset button the moment the offseason arrived. As of now, Riley and AD Jennifer Cohen made bold moves, bringing in Chad Bowden from Notre Dame as the Trojans’ new GM. And On3 ranks Riley among the top 10 coaches with the most to prove next season. But while change is coming, so is the pressure.

On the March 23 episode of ROC Boys Football, twin brothers from Rochester broke down the biggest QB battles in CFB. And in the heat of the discussion, they made a bold declaration about Jayden Maiava’s USC fate. Here, one of the brothers confidently stated, “I think this is a legit one. I think there’s a lot of USC fans that kind of just chalk Jayden to win the job because he was the, you know, the starter at the end of the year.” But then, the pressure on Coach Riley took center stage when the CFB insider stated, “To me, personally, you go back and watch those last, I believe it was five games to close out 2024. I think we both agree on this. You did not see enough from Jayden to say, ‘All right, you’re the guy.‘” As of now, with USC’s QB battle heating up, the Trojans’ future hangs in the balance.

We all know, in the final 5 games of the 2024 season, Maiava showed flashes of brilliance but also struggled with consistency. Look, in the Las Vegas Bowl against Texas A&M, he threw for 295 yards and  4 TDs but was picked off 3 times. Then, against Notre Dame, he put up 360 yards and 3 TDs but still had a costly interception. So, his talent is undeniable, but so are the question marks. Right now, there’s a new quarterback in the mix. Could the new QB take the Trojans to the next level?

The new QB in question is none other than Husan Longstreet. So, Maiava or Longstreet?—who takes the reins? Here, the CFB insider didn’t hold back on Maiava’s late-season struggles, stating, “Jayden Maiava’s play at the end of the year, that I would have found very concerning if I’m a USC fan. I mean, just a lack of composure. He was turning the ball over. He would, like, yeah, he’ll make good throws at times, but just the consistency—it didn’t seem to improve really at all, even through that bowl game.” However, he didn’t stop there, and then came the final call. “Yep. I’d be kind of surprised if Husan doesn’t play again,” said the insider.

Honestly, with Maiava’s inconsistency, could Longstreet be USC’s next QB1? Only time will tell, but Lincoln Riley has a tough decision ahead regarding choosing his QB1. However, “If you get good quarterback play from USC, I think this team’s going to be much more dangerous than people probably like to think,” said the host. As of now, for 2025, the Trojans’ QB room features Longstreet and Maiava, with Jonas Williams already locked in for 2026.

But Riley’s recruiting push isn’t just about QBs—the ‘QB whisperer’ is now turning his attention to the defense. “The second storyline here is, I think this defense is going to be so much better than what people kind of assume USC’s defense is going to be. D’Anton Lynn going into year two—significant changes from the front seven.” So, with big changes on both sides of the ball, 2025 could be the year USC makes its comeback.

Lincoln Riley’s investment for 2025

Lincoln Riley’s recruiting success isn’t happening by chance—it’s the result of powerhouse coaching. Here, Doug Belk has locked down elite talent in the secondary, while Eric Henderson has strengthened the trenches. And their impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. According to 247Sports, Belk now holds the title of the nation’s top recruiter, with Henderson right behind him at No. 2. Right now, USC’s rebuild is in full swing, and these two are leading the charge.

Belk has reshaped USC’s recruiting strategy, locking in elite talent for the Trojans’ secondary. He secured four-star standouts Brandon Lockhart and RJ Sermons while adding key 3-star prospects Madden Riordan and Joshua Holland. On top of that, landing five-star DB Brandon Arrington—a true game-changer. Meanwhile, Eric Henderson has been just as dominant. He helped USC land its top recruit, 5-star defensive end Xavier Griffin, along with key 4-stars Simote Katoanga and Jaimeon Winfield.

You can say, with an average NIL value of $154,000, Lincoln Riley isn’t just recruiting—he’s building a powerhouse. And his investment goes beyond talent, shaping a future where USC thrives on and off the field. But there’s more to the strategy. Riley’s moves could also solidify Husan Longstreet’s role and the QB room within the program. So, the message is clear—USC is all in, and the competition is heating up.