USC Trojans Poised to Make Waves in 2025?

It’s no secret that the former powerhouse in Southern California has failed to meet expectations in recent memory. Long gone is the juggernaut status they held while dominating college football in the 2000s, seemingly a national contender throughout the decade. Although the fall from the top has been drastic, could the USC Trojans be poised for a resurgence back to a national player in 2025?

Riley at the Helm

The program has had mixed success during current head coach, Lincoln Riley’s three-year tenure; Staring off 11- 3 in 2022, 8-5 (in 2023), and 7-6 in the most recent 2024 season. However, if you look a little closer at the losses, it’s not too difficult to have some hope that the Trojans could just have something brewing again in So Cal.

Of the Trojans six losses in 2024, five of those defeats came by a margin of seven points or less. The other was a 14-point thumping by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1), who just concluded their season with a loss to Ohio State in the College Football National Championship game. Despite this initial thumping at the hands of one of the best teams in the nation, USC managed to finish strong going 4-1 over their last five games, highlighted by a 27-20 win over (then) 13th-ranked LSU (9-4); as well as a dramatic, 35-31 victory of Texas A&M (8-5) in the final seconds of the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl.

The Las Vegas Bowl Standouts

The USC Trojans had a number of enormous contributions from a very talented and young receiving corps. This was highlighted by sophomore standout Ja’Kobi Lane’s offensive explosion, totaling a final line of seven catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Lane took a drag route 40 yards to start the scoring for the Trojans in the 1^st quarter, then continued the scoring in both the 3^rd and 4^th quarters.

JA’KOBI LANE @LasVegasBowl HAT TRICK 🎩👇

⭐ 7 REC
⭐ 133 YDS
⭐ 3 TDS#B1GFootball x @uscfb pic.twitter.com/0nkfUItyeH

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 28, 2024

Not to be overshadowed by Lane’s amazing night, senior Kyle Ford pulled in his sixth catch of the night. That capped a 10-play touchdown drive with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter putting the Trojans ahead for good, ultimately sealing the deal on a 17-point comeback 35-31 win. Fellow sophomore, Makai Lemon, also dazzled with a very impressive 6 for 99 performance, with some bigtime catches and solid blocking downfield.

Bryan Jackson led the backfield for the Trojans, finishing with 66 yards and a score. The freshman running back from Plano, Texas has a lot more to prove. However, there is clearly some resemblance to former USC legend, LenDale White, famous for his bruising run-style and ability to break the goal-line. A’ Marion Peterson also showed some flash out of the backfield, totaling 56 yards on 12 total touches. Both of which, season highs.

The Trojans were without their absolute stud and starting senior running back, Woody Marks. However, the talented Texas-born tandem of Jackson and Peterson proved to be enough to secure the victory.

Marks was removed in the first quarter of the November 30 contest against Notre Dame after finding himself on the receiving end of a big hit. Two weeks later and prior to the Las Vegas Bowl, Marks announced his decision to declare for the 2025 NFL draft. 

Woody Marks – Top of the Class?

Woody Marks is an absolute stud. A downhill runner with great patience and vision, Marks resembles a low-flying missile once he sees the best route to the pay dirt.

Marks averaged a healthy 5.7 YPC while totaling 1133 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. The former Mississippi State star also hauled in 47 catches, finishing with an impressive 1,454 total yards on the season. Whether it be a slight hesitation explosion on an over-pursued zone or a swing pass out of the backfield, the former Mississippi State Transfer is always looking to go the distance.

Onward into 2025

USC’s impressive roster continues to be reinforced this week with commitments by four-star, No. 81 overall ESPN prospect, Shahn Alston II, who will be running behind offensive line Purdue transfer, DJ Wingfield, as well former Syracuse OL, J’Onre Reed.

Even with the departure of Marks and the uncertainty of players staying due to big NIL money and the Transfer Portal, University of Southern California will always be a desirable location for top-tier athletes. USC looks ready to continue reloading and rebuilding on their way to the legitimate championship contender status that Trojans fans so dearly miss.