Locked On USC - Daily Podcast on USC Trojans Football & Basketball

The USC Trojans coaching staff faces the ultimate test: can revamped leadership finally unleash the defensive line’s true potential and silence the doubters? Jahkeem Stewart’s rise as a vocal leader, Kameryn Crawford’s make-or-break season, and the hunger across the defensive front set the stage for high-stakes Pac-12 showdowns. Lincoln Riley’s search for elite performance extends to fresh discipl...

USC's assistant coaches and the local media had brunch together to discuss spring camp and what lays ahead for the team.  Marc Kulkin and Chris Trevino from WeAreSC.com break down what was said including a very candid quote from defensive line coach Shaun Nua regarding his biggest takeaway following spring camp. #usc #uscfootball #uscbasketball #recruiting #transferportal, #Trojans #beattheirish #...

USC quarterback recruiting under Lincoln Riley has been interesting with the transfer portal and strategic walk-on moves to secure their future at the most critical position. With preferred walk-on Alex Medyn joining the 2026 cycle and a potential shift away from high school QB prospects for 2027, will Riley’s unconventional approach pay off in the NIL and transfer portal era? Marc Kulkin breaks d...

USC continues to ramp up its 2027 recruiting momentum with tight end Jace Cannon’s commitment on Fan Appreciation Day. With ten pledges now secured, pressure mounts for elite prospects eyeing one of just seven remaining spots. Is it first come, first served—or should Lincoln Riley and Chad Bowden remain patient to find the perfect fits? Marc Kulkin and Marvin Powell III, break down Cannon’s upside...

USC's recruiting dominance sparks a new arms race in Southern California. As Lincoln Riley builds another top-5 class featuring standouts like Eli Woodard and Quentin Hale, rivals UCLA and Oregon scramble for top prospects and NIL deals—setting the stage for a fierce battle both on and off the field. Can the Trojans maintain their edge when roster saturation forces elite talent to choose elsewhere...

Big Ten powers surge to national championship glory while the SEC scrambles for answers. Michigan basketball’s triumphant run, spearheaded by coach Dusty May and hobbled star Yaxel Lendeborg, delivers a long-awaited NCAA title and ignites new expectations across the conference. Indiana football and UCLA women’s basketball add to the Big Ten’s historic sweep, each dominating their postseason with r...

The Trojans plan to reload for 2027 as recruiting heats up—can Lincoln Riley’s class reclaim national dominance? Host Marc Kulkin spotlights the Trojans’ strategic focus on California talent like Drew Fielder and specific out of state recruitsJavon Vital Jr., while also chasing national stars such as Reis Russell and Makai Brown. The wide receiver group deepens with Quentin Hale, Eli Woodard, and...

USC Trojans ramp up the hype for 2026 with bold recruiting wins and unwavering confidence from General Manager Chad Bowden. Is Lincoln Riley’s squad ready to conquer a brutal Big Ten schedule featuring Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana – or will preseason optimism put them under intense pressure? Inside The Trojans Huddle is hosted by Chris Arledge,, along with Marc Kulkin, and Greg Katz who dissect...

The Trojans are charting a playoff-or-bust course after landing a “perfect” 2026 Big Ten football schedule. With confidence running high and no more excuses, Chad Bowden, Lincoln Riley, and the Trojans face pivotal matchups against Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State—all at home. Can USC finally break Oregon’s streak and use the Coliseum crowd as rocket fuel for a breakthrough season? Host Marc Kul...

The Trojans have to size up for a pivotal Big Ten debut as injuries force fresh faces into the spotlight. With Jaden Maiava at quarterback and a revamped offensive line anchored by Elijah Page and Alani Noa, can USC’s offense gel in time for their opener against San Jose State? King Miller steps up at running back, while Terrell Anderson, Corey Sims, and Trent Mosley headline a wide receiver room...

USC has set their sights on the playoffs as returning offensive line and revamped coaching staff fuel optimism. Can Lincoln Riley’s squad impose its will in high-stakes matchups against Oregon and Ohio State? With Marc Kulkin and MVP Marvin Powell III dissecting spring camp, the show spotlights key offensive priorities: establishing the run game, sorting the wide receiver room, and building depth...

Lincoln Riley can’t stop smiling—could this finally be the year the USC Trojans charge into the College Football Playoff? Jayden Maiava’s third year under center brings a new swagger, with returning offensive line strength and dynamic playmakers ready to make noise. Former NFL veteran Marvin Powell III joins Marc Kulkin to unpack how Riley’s refreshed coaching staff, including defensive guru Gary...

USC is gearing up for a critical 2026 season with newfound mental toughness and special teams improvements with Gary Patterson and Mike Eckler assisting. Can Lincoln Riley’s squad translate spring camp’s competitive edge into Big Ten dominance? Host Marc Kulkin spotlights key returners like Jaden Maiava, emphasizes accountability, and explores the urgent, player-driven culture shaping this roster....

Big Ten dominance is rewriting the college sports landscape as the conference makes a statement in both football and basketball. With powerhouse programs like Michigan, Ohio State, and Illinois consistently reaching Final Fours and securing national titles, has SEC supremacy finally faded? The squad unpacks how NIL and transfer portal shifts have tilted the scales, and what it means for the future...

USC has quietly assembled the Big Ten’s top offensive line, returning all five starters—and hinting at massive lineup changes with standout freshmen Breck Kolojay, Keenyi Pepe, and Elijah Vaikona. Could a younger, bigger unit launch USC into national stardom and push the Trojans into playoff contention? Marc Kulkin spotlights Lincoln Riley’s competitive mentality, highlights breakout candidates li...

USC has overhauled special teams under Mike Ekeler—can this finally erase their costly mistakes and spark playoff hopes? Marc Kulkin spotlights the Trojans’ spring practice intensity, with Ekeler and Lincoln Riley leading a renewed focus on lane discipline, situational drills, and relentless communication. Will the punters Rey Sanchez, Will Weisberg, and Australian transfer Lachlan and Carrigan tr...

Will USC recalibrate spring camp as bruises mount and the finish line nears. Will Lincoln Riley’s decision to dial back intensity cost the team its physical edge, or is he simply protecting key starters like King Miller and others for the fall? Scrimmage updates from the Coliseum reveal the balancing act between maintaining competition and avoiding injuries that shape the final week’s practices. H...

USC is dominating the recruiting race, shutting down California's borders and flipping top talent from rivals like Oregon. Is USC reclaiming its championship standard on and off the field? Hosts Marc Kulkin and Marvin Powell III spotlight Drew Fielder’s high-upside switch from Oregon, linebacker Josiah Poyer’s commitment from St. John Bosco, and the fast-rising class featuring California stars. Wi...

USC raiseD the bar on accountability with a bold public display of discipline—could donor influence reshape football strategy in 2026? Marc Kulkin and Marvin Powell III, break down the impact of “knee pad gate,” Coach Lincoln Riley’s quest for a more cerebral, detail-oriented team, and Gary Patterson’s Hall of Fame standards. Is this performative discipline or true strategy, and how will it affect...

Big Ten quarterbacks spark fierce debate—is Dante Moore the true #1, or does Julian Sayin hold the crown? With the conference boasting record representation in the Sweet 16, the pressure mounts for Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue to finally claim a National Championship and silence SEC dominance in men's basketball. The Big 10 Squad breaks down quarterback rankings, analyze the impact of standout s...

USC football enters a new era of discipline and competition, with Coach Mike Williams setting a higher standard—accountability even down to wearing knee pads. Will these cultural changes, new staff hires like Gary Patterson and Mike Ekeler, and a standout freshman class erase the slow starts that haunted USC’s defense last season? Marc Kulkin and Kendell Hollowell break down USC’s deeper, more tal...

USC is turning up the intensity as Coach Lincoln Riley declares, “training wheels are off” for spring camp’s final stretch. Is this the dawn of a breakthrough season, with no more excuses and 17 starters—most in the Big Ten—returning? Insightful updates on key players like Waymond Jordan, Walter Matthews, and Tucker Ashcraft keep the stakes high as competition heats up for coveted spots in the rot...

USC faces a tightly contested recruiting battleground as NIL budgets and roster restrictions force tough decisions on local prospects. Can Lincoln Riley and Chad Bowden maintain a championship-caliber roster while navigating big NIL demands from top recruits like Danny Lang and Honor Fa'alave-Johnson? Marc Kulkin explores USC’s strategy to lock down Southern California talent, manage high-profile...

The Trojans shake up spring depth charts as Kameryn Crawford, Jahkeem Stewart, and Alex VanSumeren anchor a formidable defensive line. Is Gary Patterson’s new-look defense ready to stop Big Ten offenses in their tracks? Marc Kulkin and Marvin Powell III spotlight key portal additions, including Devin Bryant at linebacker, and assess the rising competition across the unit. Special attention is give...

USC is primed for a playoff push—but will Jayden Maiava’s continued development be the missing piece? Marc Kulkin and Marvin Powell III, break down Maiava’s impressive trajectory under Lincoln Riley and Luke Huard, spotlighting key areas for growth: reducing turnovers, boosting confidence, and taking on a bigger leadership role to ignite USC’s young receiving corps. The duo debates if Maiava can e...