Coach Lincoln Riley names former walk-on as starting center for USC

It is great when someone is rewarded for betting on themselves. In the case of Killian O’Connor, he has earned the starting center role for USC through his efforts and hard work. As reported by the LA Times' Ryan Kartje, coach Riley named O'Connor as the starter for the game against Missouri State.

To see O'Connor's journey culminate as the starter for USC's first game at the Coliseum in 2025 is something incredibly special. While speaking with reporters, his comment about not being a "bag holder" is what garnered the most attention. The newly minted starting center said something more telling, however, as shared by The Sporting Tribune's Adrian Medina.

O’Connor expressed how grateful and thankful he is for those who have coached and mentored him and who have allowed him to be in this position. He noted, though, that the real work truly begins now.

Important task as USC starter

While the first couple of matchups should allow for him to ease into the starting role, there is a daunting portion of the Big Ten schedule that will ask a tremendous amount of him. Having a clean quarterback-center exchange and ensuring that Jayden Maiava has a clean operation will be absolutely paramount if the Trojans are to find success this season.

Coach Riley noted that J'Onre Reed will still be seeing time. The decision ultimately came down to O'Connor showing more consistency, according to the Trojan HC. For some, this announcement comes as something of a surprise, as the Syracuse transfer was largely expected to be the starting center. Instead, O'Connor stepped up and earned the right to receive the nod. Reed is versatile enough that he could still end up playing at one of the line positions. For now, though, it will be O'Connor snapping the ball to Maiava.