The USC Trojans are coming off an iffy 2024. Lincoln Riley, the QB whisperer, couldn’t do his magic with Miller Moss, and weirdly, it’s the offense that let the team down in a majority of USC’s losses last year. Now, heading into the 2025 season, the Trojans boast of a No. 14 recruiting class, including 1 five-star and 11 four-star players. For the head coach, the seat is still not hot, considering his buyout. But still, some wins will give the fans some hope. Before that could happen, Lincoln Riley’s team was hit with some concerning news on the injury front. Is there any better news?

While being interviewed on 17 April, Riley offered a cautiously optimistic update on defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver, stating, “He’s not been able to go into any of the full contact stuff yet, but you see some of why we recruited him. I mean, he’s a really, really big guy that moves well.” He implied that the plan is to play it safe for now and aim for a full return by fall. “We want to make sure that knee gets kind of the full treatment, but he’s doing well,” Riley added, signaling that August could be his time to shine.

Discussing the defensive line’s dynamics, Riley noted, “The competition’s high, but it’s in a very unselfish manner right now.” While this camaraderie is encouraging, the underlying reality is that injuries and absences are testing the team’s cohesion and depth. Their fast recovery is an extreme need of the hour to keep their team’s and fans’ morale high.

Even with the injury crisis, Riley made sure to appreciate his players and kept the atmosphere light. While talking about Jayden, he called him “one of the real bright spots of spring.”  Even while coming off a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for much of last year, Jayden’s re-emergence is turning heads. “His body’s dramatically changed, and he’s just come out here more confident,” said Riley, showing appreciation.

Another name earning high praise is J. Winfield. The left guard has been turning heads for all the right reasons. “Honestly, he’s probably a little bit better than I thought he was, and I thought he was pretty good,” Riley admitted. What’s even more impressive? The way Winfield has gelled with the team. “He and Elijah have developed a good rapport already,” Riley said, emphasizing the cohesion on the offensive line.

The transfer portal mayhem for Lincoln Riley

Lincoln Riley made a tough admission that multiple players have entered the transfer portal, leaving some positional groups thinner than expected. One of the most talked-about exits is of cornerback Tre’Quon Fegans, a former four-star recruit. With him and others on the move, Riley’s job just got more complicated. While these things aren’t exactly unusual in today’s college football landscape, the timing doesn’t help. Spring is when rosters are supposed to solidify—not scatter. Riley acknowledged the issue indirectly by pointing out just how many players missed spring ball due to various issues. The revolving door of talent has made continuity tough, especially on the defensive side.

USC’s football program stands at a critical juncture. Injuries have disrupted spring preparations, and the loss of players to the transfer portal has exacerbated the situation. Riley’s candid admissions reflect a team grappling with adversity and searching for solutions while still being somewhat optimistic.

As the Trojans look ahead, the challenges are clear: restore health across the roster, address the locker room instability, and navigate the complexities of the transfer portal. The coming months will be pivotal in determining whether USC can overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger for the season ahead.