Ja'Kobi Lane setting the tone for USC as team leader

While a loss can be frustrating, all USC fans truly want to see is a team that gives full effort at all times. The adage of leaving everything out there on the field comes to mind.

As shared on X by Paulie Walnuts, Ja'Kobi Lane made a social media post in which the Trojan logo was in the background. The caption "I'd die for this logo," with him clearly amped up, gives an example of the type of mentality that is needed within the USC locker room.

Having someone who is willing to give all-out effort and who shows the willingness to drive a team to victory is an element that has been missing from the past seasons.

At the end of the day, the team that has athletes who ultimately show the most willpower at the end are the ones who win close games down the stretch. What is often needed is the ability to find that last bit of energy to make a play when everyone else is tired or mentally switches off.

Heading into the 2025 season, Lane is providing an example for everyone of what needs to be seen on the field this year.

When looking at the improvements and how the roster is starting to shake up, adding this other critical element of mental fortitude will make it so that USC will basically have no choice but to have a significantly improved record from a year ago.

Needed message for USC right now

Seeing someone who is a clear leader in the Trojan locker room sending this type of message is the type of statement that needs to be shared throughout the building.

Time will tell and reveal what this USC team is truly about. Once the games start, all narratives and pre-game talking points go out the window. The games themselves dictate what a team is or is not. Until then, these types of signs further speak to the overall program turnaround that continues to take place in Troy.