2026 USC Trojans Depth Chart

Quarterbacks & Running Backs: USC’s offense will continue to run through QB Jayden Maiava, who returns after 3,700+ passing yards in 2025 and offers sneaky rushing value (6 TDs on the ground). There’s no real job battle here – Maiava’s experience and decision to forego the NFL draft solidify his role. Behind him, we list Dylan Gebbia over former blue-chip Husan Longstreet purely for immediate backup duty; Longstreet is the higher-upside talent from the 2025 class but would need Maiava out of the picture to matter in fantasy. In the backfield, King Miller gets the slight nod as RB1 after exploding for 972 yards and 8 scores as a true freshman walk-on. Miller’s late-season takeover came when veteran Waymond Jordan went down, but now both return to form a powerful one-two punch. We’re confidently ranking Miller just ahead of Jordan due to his youth and receiving contribution (16 catches), but this is a co-starter situation – Jordan was averaging 6.5 yards per carry and paced for a 1,000-yard season before his ankle injury. Both backs should be heavily used (each had multiple 100-yard games in 2025) and Jordan’s decision to return, alongside Miller’s emergence, gives USC arguably the Big Ten’s top backfield. We slot incoming freshman Deshonne Redeaux next; the four-star brings burst and pass-game upside as the third man. Redeaux may need an injury ahead of him to matter early, but his talent is worth stashing – recall that Miller himself wasn’t expected to contribute so quickly.

Wide Receivers: This receiving corps underwent a talent turnover, so we’re prioritizing projected opportunity. We peg NC State transfer Terrell Anderson as WR1 because he’s essentially replacing NFL-bound Ja’Kobi Lane’s outside role. Anderson broke out for 629 yards and 5 TDs last year, and his downfield ability (16.1 yards/catch) should thrive in Lincoln Riley’s vertical scheme. Just as importantly, beat reports tout Anderson and sophomore Tanook Hines as the new dynamic duo for 2026. We list Hines as WR2, but it’s more like 1B – he “exploded onto the scene” as a freshman with 561 yards, operating largely as the Z-receiver. Hines’ year of chemistry with Maiava and prowess after the catch give him a rock-solid fantasy floor, even with Anderson arriving. Beyond the top two, there’s a battle of youth vs. experience. We give a tentative edge to sophomore Zacharyus Williams for WR3; he didn’t post big numbers (just 3 catches), but flashed a 61-yard grab and has a year in Riley’s system. Still, Williams will be pushed hard by elite freshmen. We’re especially intrigued by “Boobie” Feaster – a Top-5 WR recruit – as a potential slot weapon to fill the void left by Biletnikoff winner Makai Lemon. Feaster’s speed and polish could earn him immediate targets, so we slot him as WR4 with significant upside. Fellow newcomer Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, another blue-chip (Top-10 WR nationally), projects as WR5; he’s a 6’2″ playmaker from Mater Dei who might start slower but could carve out a role in rotations. Rounding out the group is redshirt freshman Corey Simms. We’re tempering expectations on Simms as WR6 – he’s a big target who caught just one pass last season and now faces stiff competition from the incoming class. In short, Anderson and Hines should dominate the fantasy points, while the WR3–WR6 spots may see volatility. Keep an eye on Feaster as a potential mid-season riser if his route-running earns Riley’s trust.

Tight Ends & Kicker: Sophomore Walker Lyons takes over as the clear TE1 for fantasy purposes. Even though USC’s official depth chart lists Carson Tabaracci on top, Lyons was far more involved as a receiver (20 catches, 223 yards) in 2025. With last year’s starter Lake McRee off to the NFL, expect Lyons – a former four-star recruit – to run the majority of routes and see red-zone looks. Tabaracci, a converted linebacker, will play plenty of snaps as an in-line blocker, but his fantasy ceiling is capped (he logged only 3 receptions last season). Finally, at kicker we have Ryon Sayeri. He locked down both placekicking and punting duties as a freshman, and he should benefit from USC’s high-powered offense. Sayeri’s role on a team that will produce plenty of scoring opportunities makes him a reliable K1 in this setup.