USC has 2 main uncertainties on offense with fall camp around the corner

After the NFL Draft, and transfer portal coming and going, there are two key position battles that USC needs to figure out in camp. That'd be to clear up some uncertainty for the receivers and tight ends. The Trojans need to figure out who will be quarterback Jayden Maiava's targets, and Lincoln Riley is going to have some tough decisions on his hands.

The Trojans have big holes to fill, as Biletnikoff winner Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane got drafted and have said their goodbyes to LA. Along with those two as starters last season, fans got a great look at then-freshman Tanook Hines in 2025. So, starting with the obvious, WR1 is Hines.

Hines still found a way to shine despite having two NFL-ready receivers next to him. Hines recorded 34 receptions, 561 yards and two touchdowns. He had a breakout game against Oregon, where he really showed his potential against the Big Ten team. In the Trojans loss, he still stood out with six receptions for 141 yards and one touchdown. He'll undoubtedly be WR1, but the other receivers are still a gamble.

Tanook Hines will need to step in as a WR1 for Lincoln Riley and USC

The other two players who look like they can take open receiver spots are junior Terrell Anderson and redshirt sophomore Zacharyus Williams. Anderson is a transfer from NC State, where he appeared in every game and had 39 receptions for 629 yards and 5 TDs. Williamson got hurt in the second game of the season last fall, making him use a redshirt. Still, he's been with the program for a year already, so he understands things better than Anderson, which might give him an edge.

While they're the most expected to fill starting roles, don't be surprised if some 2026 recruits make their way into a starting spot early. USC had a stacked recruiting class, which included six wide receivers. Leading them is four-star Kayden Dixon-Wyatt from Mater Dei, who will surely want to compete for some reps.

There are several USC tight ends for fans to follow closely during fall camp

This position really has no one locked into it right now. The Trojans past options, Lake McRee and Walker Lyons, aren't with the team anymore. McRee got drafted and Lyons transferred to BYU. However, luckily for USC, they have a stud freshman in Mark Bowman, who was the 2026 No. 2 tight end. He's a frontrunner for the position and behind him is redshirt junior transfer Tucker Ashcraft.

Bowman is a 6-foot-4 and 235-pound player who had 73 receptions for 922 yards and 14 touchdowns last year for Mater Dei. He fits into what USC is seeking from its recruits, which are dynamic players. His height gives him the ability to easily create mismatches and become a target for Maiava in the end zone. He's also proven to be a great blocker, but that'll be put to the test in the Big Ten.

Ashcraft, who transferred from Wisconsin, will be the other player competing for the spot. He will be looking to bounce back and show dominance after being limited last year due to injury. Ashcraft hasn't been able to prove what he's capable of throughout his career: he's only had 22 receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns. He's been proven to be more of a blocker than an offensive weapon, meaning he'll get in the rotation, but he likely won't be the No. 1 option.

One thing is certain in the position battles: USC has options. Thanks to their loaded class from 2026, they even have options for the future too. Deciding who gets these roles will be based on talent and who Maiava can trust.

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