USC football recruiting, portal possibilities and more answers in this mailbag

With the regular season wrapped up and the Trojans, along with several others (not you Notre Dame), preparing for the postseason, I’ve received a number of mailbag questions about the state of USC athletics. I’d like to take a moment to address some of our readers’ most pressing questions.

Which of the incoming freshman have the best chance of contributing right away? - Jacob B.

This class is loaded with impact players, featuring some truly elite talent. Many will be key to what the staff envisions as success both now and in the future. My pick is Mark Bowman, the tight end from Mater Dei. In my opinion, he’s the best tight end in the country and could have started for USC last season—remarkable considering he reclassified from 2027 to 2026. It’s no surprise LSU made a late push to sway him from Chad Bowden and USC. Bowman is a day-one starter, and Lincoln Riley’s offense has shown a clear desire to feature the tight end position. Just look at how Lake McRee played his way into NFL draft buzz thanks to his role in the offense. Bowman brings elite skills as both a run blocker and pass catcher, and he can line up on the line, in the slot, or out wide. Landing him may have been USC’s biggest recruiting win of the class.

Any names in the portal USC is pursuing?

USC is expected to be active in the transfer portal, with the number of Trojans entering now up to eleven. This is partly due to the influx of elite talent from the No. 1 recruiting class, but also because the staff has been telling some players they may not have a significant future with the program. USC wouldn’t be “pushing” or “encouraging” transfers without plans to upgrade those spots through the portal. While no names have been officially mentioned, the focus seems to be on the trenches and adding a veteran receiver. If there’s one name to watch, it’s Nick Marsh from Michigan State, though his elite skills as a receiver will make him a highly sought-after target.

What does a bowl win/loss mean do this year's USC team?

It really depends on your perspective. In college football, it often feels like it’s playoff or bust, with little else getting attention. I like to take a more romantic view of the sport, and to me, a ten-win season would be a fantastic accomplishment, a perfect cap to the momentum the program has built heading into 2026. USC will probably be missing a few key players, as some will need to decide on their NFL futures, but I think the team, especially the staff, really wants that tenth win. A loss wouldn’t derail the program or recruiting, but a win in a high-profile game like the Alamo Bowl could be a huge boost for confidence going into next season.

Who do you think was the most valuable player this year who also faced the most adversity? - Amanda M.

I think the MVP is clearly Makai Lemon, but Amanda added the caveat of the “faced the most adversity” tag. With that in mind, King Miller would be my pick. Normally, Miller wouldn’t have seen meaningful snaps this season if not for season-ending injuries to Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders in the same game and in the same half! He earned a scholarship through his play and was a big reason Bryan Jackson hit the portal so quickly. It’s not an exaggeration to say Miller might be the greatest walk-on freshman in college football history. He rushed for over 100 yards in four games and cemented himself as a Trojan legend with two touchdowns against UCLA. For perspective, he started seven games and topped the century mark in more than half of them. With a dominant Alamo Bowl performance, he could hit 1,000 yards on the season.

Why is the band so good? - Kiana

It’s funny because as I’m writing this, I’m pretty sure I saw the USC Trojan Marching Band run onto the field at halftime of the Monday night football game between the Eagles and Chargers. The band is incredible and has had some unforgettable moments this year. I won’t pretend to know exactly why they’re so good, but I’ll keep it simple: practice, practice, and confidence. They have a swag that truly connects with the people of Los Angeles.