2nd-year USC tight end Walker Lyons is ready to step up in the Trojan offense

In order for USC to exceed last season's win total, players from last year will need to step up. Player growth and development will always be an important aspect of the Trojan program.

A great player who comes to mind for fans to watch this year is Walker Lyons. The tight end saw limited action in 2024. He did, however, gain valuable experience as a first-year player. Now as a sophomore, Lyons hopes to earn further trust from his quarterback, Jayden Maiava, and coach Lincoln Riley and step up to help USC tack on some more wins this year.

Lyons will compete for playing time in a tight end room that is currently led by Lake McRee. Even so, there will be plenty of avenues and opportunities for the sophomore to make an impact on offense. This may not exactly be the era of the two-TE set, but even the air raid will utilize certain jumbo packages and look for creative ways to unbalance the defense.

For Lyons, he will certainly receive his opportunity to showcase his added muscle gain and how much he has worked on this game this offseason. 2025 will be about taking advantage when the chances come and giving coach Riley and Maiava a reason to continue to look his way. 

Leaning on senior USC tight end

 While the two tight ends, Lyons and McRee, are looking to both be featured in the offense from the TE role, the sophomore spoke earlier on how useful it has been for him to learn from the senior.

Lyons elaborated:

"It's helpful just to have somebody that's there for you to ask questions... Just little things that are here and there. It's super helpful."

The sophomore would specify how sometimes his line of questioning would range from asking about blocking technique to route running. In general, Lyons is feeling comfortable taking advantage of someone who has a lot of collegiate experience.

A year from now, it will be Lyons who is the upperclassman, with the aspiring USC freshmen and sophomores potentially then coming to him for guidance.