Troy Talk

Welcome back to the Troy Talk Podcast! In today's episode, we're taking a deep dive into Lincoln Riley's tenure at USC and answering one of the biggest questions facing the Trojans: Is Lincoln Riley the coach who can bring USC back to national championship contention? This isn't a hot take or a "fire the coach" rant. Instead, I break down Riley's time at USC objective...

Ranking Every USC Freshman (2026) | OFFENSE Who are the best offensive freshmen at USC heading into the 2026 season? In this video, I rank every offensive freshman in the Trojans' recruiting class based on who I believe will have the biggest impact both this season and beyond. From elite offensive lineman Keenyi Pepe to dynamic wide receivers Ethan "Boobie" Feaster and Trent Mosley,...

Ranking USC's Defensive Freshmen | Can the Nation's #1 Class Fix the Defense? USC signed the No. 1 recruiting class in America, but which defensive freshmen have the brightest futures in Cardinal and Gold? In this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, I apply my proprietary ranking formula to every defensive freshman in USC's 2026 class and break down who I believe will make the biggest im...

How does USC stack up against the rest of the Big Ten heading into the 2026 season? In this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, we take a comprehensive look at every team in the Big Ten and discuss what the Trojans will be up against this season. We break down each program with team-by-team previews, key storylines, returning stars, transfer additions, coaching changes, and our biggest takeaways hea...

I Ranked Every USC Football Commit (2027 Recruiting Class) USC has assembled one of the most talented recruiting classes in the country, but how do the commits stack up when you look beyond the national recruiting rankings? In this video, I reveal my own Troy Talk Recruiting Rankings for USC's 2027 recruiting class. After studying the film, evaluating physical traits, long-term upside, positio...

USC’s Defensive Line Has No More Excuses | USC Position Preview The defensive line may be the most important position group on USC’s roster in 2026. If the Trojans want to take the next step, compete for a playoff spot, and establish themselves as a true national title contender, it starts up front. In this USC Defensive Line Position Preview, we break down the players who will determine whether U...

USC heads into a massive season with huge expectations at quarterback. Is Jayden Maiava the guy who can finally lead the Trojans back into College Football Playoff contention and elevate USC into the upper tier of the Big Ten? In this video, we break down Maiava’s strengths, weaknesses, fit in Lincoln Riley’s offense, and whether he has what it takes to become USC’s next great QB. We also dive int...

Gary Patterson’s Secret Weapon? | USC Position Previews USC's safety room may be one of the biggest wild cards on the entire roster heading into 2026. In this USC Position Preview, we break down the impact of Gary Patterson’s defensive philosophy, why the safety position is so critical in the 4-2-5 defense, and who could emerge as the leaders of the secondary this season. Can Alex Graham take...

Is USC’s Running Back Room Suddenly Loaded? | USC Position Previews USC’s running back room might be one of the most important position groups on the roster heading into 2026. In this USC Position Preview, we break down the potential of Waymond Jordan, the explosiveness of King Miller, the versatility of Deshonne Redeaux, and the long-term upside of Shahn Alston. Can this group stay healthy and co...

Should USC Fans Be Worried About Cornerback? | USC Position Previews USC’s cornerback room might be one of the biggest swing factors for the Trojans heading into the season. With a new defensive coordinator and a mix of elite talent, proven experience, and high-upside youth, this group could either elevate the defense… or become a major concern. In this video, we break down USC’s cornerbacks headi...

Can USC’s Offensive Line Hold Up? | USC Position Previews USC’s offensive line might be one of the biggest X-factors heading into the season. After a surprisingly solid performance last year, the Trojans return a group with real talent, experience, and the potential to become one of the better units in the Big Ten. In this video, we break down whether USC’s front five is truly ready for the physic...

USC Linebackers: Ready to Take the Next Step? | USC Position Previews USC football’s linebacker unit is a major focus heading into the 2026 college football season. With new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson installing a new scheme, the development of this group could be key to USC’s success in the Big Ten. In this USC position preview, we break down the Trojans’ linebacker room, including retu...

How Good are USC's Wide Receivers? | USC Position Previews On this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, Troy breaks down the USC wide receiver room heading into the 2026 season. After losing key playmakers, can this group actually be even better? In this video, I go in-depth on every major contributor in the room, including Trent Mosley, Tanook Hines, Ethan Feaster, and Terrell Anderson, and what...

What We Learned From USC Spring Practice Spring camp is in the books for the USC Trojans football — and there are some MAJOR takeaways heading into the 2026 season. In this video, I break down everything you need to know from USC’s spring practice, including how Gary Patterson is shaping the defense, which injuries could impact the roster early, and the young players already pushing for serious pl...

USC Is Loading Up at Safety! | Recruiting and Scheme Breakdown In this video, we break down USC’s 2027 safety recruiting class and why it could be one of the most important position groups for the future of the defense. The Trojans already have key commits in Honor Fa’alave Johnson, Danny Lang, and Aaryn Washington — and they’re not slowing down. We also take a look at top targets still on the boa...

Predicting Over/Under Win Totals for Top College Football Teams (2026) In this video, I break down the 2026 college football win totals and give my over/under predictions for some of the biggest programs in the country, including the USC Trojans, Texas Longhorns, and Michigan Wolverines. Are these numbers too high, too low, or right on the money? I go team-by-team to analyze each roster, schedule,...

Troy Talk Top Trojans #1-5 | Best Ability is Availability In this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, host Troy discusses the five most important players for USC's upcoming football season. He ranks players based on their significance rather than talent, highlighting key contributions and potential impacts on the team's performance. The finale delves into the importance of the veterans retur...

EPISODE 101 USC FOOTBALL MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS 6-10 In this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, host Troy discusses the most important players for USC's upcoming football season. He ranks players based on their significance rather than talent, highlighting key contributions and potential impacts on the team's performance. The conversation delves into the importance of the linebackers, the p...

EPISODE 100 DOES USC FOOTBALL NEED A POWER RUNNING BACK? In this episode of the Troy Talk podcast, the host delves into the ongoing debate about whether USC needs a power back to run effectively, especially after joining the Big Ten. The discussion covers the definition of a power back, analyzes USC's rushing performance over the years, and examines the impact of the quarterback's mobility...

Troy Talk Top Trojans #11-15 | An Unsung Hero Leads the Way | USC Football In this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, host Troy discusses the most important players for USC's upcoming football season. He ranks players based on their significance rather than talent, highlighting key contributions and potential impacts on the team's performance. The conversation delves into the importance of...

USC Football Spring Media Day Recap In this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, host Troy discusses the recent USC football assistant coach spring media day, sharing insights from various coach interviews. He delves into Gary Patterson's coaching philosophy, play calling strategies, and the importance of communication within the defense. Troy also highlights the roles of other coaches like Paul...

Episode 97 USC MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS 16-20 TROY TALK TOP TROJANS In this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, host Troy discusses the most important players for USC's upcoming season, focusing on newcomers and their potential impact. He highlights key defensive players like RJ Sermons and Rock Hill, as well as the need for strong contributions from Jamieon Winfield on the defensive line. The con...

EPISODE 96 TROJAN LEGACY ISAIA VANDERMADEIn this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, Troy talks about USC landing Trojan Legacy Isaia Vandermade, a talented defensive lineman out of Santa Margarita High School. He details what kind of player, some film, his recruiting story and much more!#usc #uscfootball #usctrojans #uscrecruitingThank you everybody for watching! Links below. Like, follow, subscrib...

EPISODE 95 USC MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS 21-25 TROY TALK TOP PLAYERS In the second episode of the Troy Talk Top Trojans, host Troy discusses the most important players for USC in the upcoming season, focusing on their potential impact rather than just talent. He highlights key players such as Justin Tau'unu'u, Deven Bryant, Talana Ili, Braylon Shelby, and Alani Noa, analyzing their roles and...

EPISODE 94 WHO WILL USC TAKE? 2027 WIDE RECEIVER RECRUITS In this episode of the Troy Talk Podcast, host Troy discusses the upcoming 2027 recruiting class for USC, focusing on the top wide receiver prospects. He provides insights into the players' skills, potential fit within the USC program, and likelihood of commitment. The conversation highlights the importance of player comparisons and the...