Lincoln Riley Says USC’s Championship Window Is Open

Skeptics point to recent struggles as a reason to temper near-term title hopes.

Overview

Riley told On3 the Trojans have entered a championship window and said the roster has the makings of a title-level team.
His fifth USC season starts with recruiting momentum, as four-star tight end Jace Cannon chose the Trojans over Michigan and Texas A&M to push the 2026 class into the top five.
USC also flipped four-star offensive tackle Drew Fielder from Oregon, giving the program a local 6-foot-6 lineman who said he was eager to stay home.
Quarterback Jayden Maiva returned for his redshirt senior year, and Riley praised him as making as much progress in two years as any quarterback he can recall coaching.
Analysis across outlets notes rising pressure on Riley and suggests 2027 could be a more realistic title target after uneven 2023–2024 seasons and a tough path for young recruits to develop.