Overview
- In mid-May, Lincoln Riley told multiple outlets he views the 2026 season as a possible culmination of his recruiting work while also trying to tone down the public pressure on the program.
- Riley said he is a better coach now than during his Oklahoma years and pointed to tangible roster progress after a nine-win season in 2025.
- He acknowledged regret for going “all in” on the transfer portal in Year 2, saying missing key portal targets slowed USC’s recruiting timeline and development of high-school classes.
- USC enters 2026 with the No. 1 recruiting class and the return of starting quarterback Jayden Maiava, moves Riley cites as evidence the program has more depth and continuity.
- Coverage warns that expectations are higher this year because USC still lacks a conference title or CFP appearance under Riley and that falling short of a 9–10 win season or a playoff berth would be widely seen as a disappointment.