Colin Cowherd, like many in college football, undervalues current talent on USC roster

Colin Cowherd has always had an interesting relationship with USC and how he discusses the football program on his FS1 show. During one of the latest episodes of 'The Herd with Colin Cowher,' he and coach Urban Meyer discussed the expectations for the Trojans this upcoming season.

It is how Cowherd phrased the initial question, though, that shows an overall lack of appreciation of what this team has done up until this point. He, like many others in college football, is not being thorough in his evaluation of the Trojans.

The extent of how good Jayden Maiava will be in 2025 can be the source of a lot of debate among the Trojan fan base. Though the quarterback is someone who should, in general, be held in higher regard. There are a lot of areas on this roster that shine, beyond safety Kamari Ramsey, who is excellent.

Sticking on the offensive side of the ball, Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane are two wide receivers who will produce. The worst-case scenario is that they will be a serviceable tandem. Their ceiling is being considered the best overall WR duo in college football by the end of the year.

Maybe not knowing too much about players who were at the junior college level last year is understandable. In any event, Waymond Jordan is about to be a nationally known name. Then Lake McRee is someone who just knows how to make plays and will look into conversations with some of the better tight ends in the Big Ten.

Notable names for USC outside of Ramsey

Defensively, Ramsey certainly deserves a lot of love early on. Jahkeem Stewart is a gigantic talent in more ways than one. It should be equally telling that he is not expected to start on a defensive line that will be improved from last year. Anthony Lucas, Devan Thompkins, Keeshawn Silver, and Kameryn Fountain are only some of the bodies up front who will help turn around narratives about the Cardinal and Gold on that side of the ball. 

Eric Gentry and Desman Stephans II are two excellent linebacking options for coach D'Anton Lynn. Bishop Fitzgerald is also patrolling the backfield and is someone who can more than hold his own.

These are only some of the Trojans who will dictate how this season will go. Safe to say, there is a lot of talent and a lot of players beyond just one singular piece that should have USC fans excited about the upcoming year.