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

Big Ten powers shake up college football’s landscape as Indiana clinches a third straight national championship, leaving SEC fans and legends like Nick Saban searching for answers. Can the Big Ten’s dominance continue, and what does the rise of NIL spending mean for upcoming playoff scenarios? Hosts Spencer McLaughlin, Mark Culkin, and Roman Tomashoff tackle the drama—debating Ohio State’s loaded...

USC fans grow restless as Lincoln Riley delays the announcement of Gary Patterson as the next defensive coordinator—could a hunger strike finally push the Trojans to make it official? Marc Kulkin offers insider perspectives on the prolonged USC coaching carousel, dissecting why this "worst kept secret" continues to drag on and what it means for the program’s momentum heading into the 2026 season....

USC Trojans face a pivotal recruiting battle in their 2027 class, with limited spots and elite prospects like Aaron Washington and Osani Gales in the mix. Is Lincoln Riley’s strategy of focusing on high-upside playmakers and targeted transfer portal additions the key to a College Football Playoff run? Mark Kulkin and Brian Smith break down USC’s recruiting priorities, analyze standout talents from...

USC shakes up its coaching staff as Mike Eckler returns from Nebraska to ignite the Trojans’ special teams with his trademark intensity and culture-building energy. Can Eckler’s proven track record—like transforming Nebraska’s special teams from bottom-tier to top-15 nationally—finally resolve USC’s persistent struggles in this crucial phase of the game? Mark Kulkin unpacks the significance of Eck...

USC Trojans set to shake up their defensive future as Gary Patterson emerges as Lincoln Riley’s top choice for defensive coordinator. Can Patterson’s legendary 4-2-5 scheme finally create the disciplined, tough-minded defense Trojan fans crave? Mark Kulkin reveals insider information on the coaching search, explores why Patterson’s experience and Big 12 pedigree match USC’s roster, and examines ho...

USC Trojans face a pivotal moment as rumors swirl about Gary Patterson—a coach out of the game for five years and freshly minted College Football Hall of Famer—possibly taking over as defensive coordinator. Is Patterson the savior the Trojans need, or is Lincoln Riley missing the chance to hire a true difference-maker? Marc Kulkin and Marvin debate whether USC should chase big names or promote fro...

USC Trojans target a turnaround on special teams as Mike Eckler, one of the nation’s top assistant coaches, prepares for a possible return to Los Angeles. Nebraska fans are reeling after Eckler revived their special teams, turning a struggling unit into a top-20 powerhouse—and now USC hopes to replicate that impact. Could his expertise finally cure the special teams woes that have plagued the Troj...

Will Indiana secure a historic third straight Big Ten national championship, or can Miami pull off an upset at home? The panel breaks down the surprising Indiana vs. Miami title matchup, spotlighting Fernando Mendoza’s efficiency, Miami’s home-field advantage, and the impact of dynamic stars like Elijah Surratt. The crew debates why traditional powerhouses like Oregon, USC, and UCLA are chasing th...

Did USC do enough in the transfer portal to compete at a high level in 2026 and does the lack of transfer additions mean the freshmen are expected to do more? Segment 1.--Marvin Powell III and I discuss Lincoln Riley's use of the transfer portal in 2026 compared to years past and what it means. Is the roster constructed the way it needs to be with impact experienced players? Segment 2.--Quarterbac...

USC is returning all five offensive line starters from 2025 with Alani Noa re-signing which is why the Trojans have a chance to be really good on offense in 2026. Segment 1.--I explain the significance and the impact Alani Noa has on the roster and to the team's success in 2026. Segment 2.--Lincoln Riley might be making a coaching move. This would be a big time get and the next special teams coord...

It might be a while before USC announces its new defensive coordinator and they will more than likely wait for the transfer window to close while continuing their search. I have some new details regarding the timeline.  Segment 1.--What Lincoln Riley is looking fron with his new defensive coordinator and the assistant coaches part of the equation.  Segment 2.--USC's class of 2026 has some big time...

USC has gone nearly two weeks without an official defensive coordinator. Is Lincoln Riley holding up the announcement for strategic reasons? Marvin Powell III and I discuss what could be causing the delay in USC announcing it's next defensive coordinator. Segment 1.--It seems like USC is taking its time and doing due diligence searching for for D;Anton Lynn's replacement. However, if Lincoln Riley...

USC's 5-star backup quarterback Husan Longstreet has entered his name into the transfer portal. How does this move affect Lincoln Riley's roster in 2026. The Transfer portal keeps adding players and USC is still looking, or is it waiting for it's next defensive coordinator. #usc #uscfootball #uscbasketball #recruiting #transferportal, #Trojans #beattheirish #notredamefightinirish #notrdamefootball...

There are 35 reasons why USC has the No. 1 ranked recruiting class arriving on campus and a handful of them are showing off in the high school All American games. I have some notes and quotes with some of the guys who are impressing the national pundits with the abilities against the best out there. Segment 1.--I explain why offensive lineman Breck Kolojay plays with the same type of passion and m...

USC is still searching for a new defensive coordinator, however, they may have found a solution or two to help their run defense improve. While Lincoln Riley concludes his search to complete his coaching staff, the Trojans' roster is getting deeper using the transfer portal/ Segment 1.--I explain how USC's defense improved with a couple of defensive linemen they picked up via the transfer portal....

Big Ten powers surge toward another national championship as Indiana crushes Alabama 38-3, shaking the college football landscape. Can Oregon or Indiana claim the crown and continue the conference’s dominance? Spencer McLaughlin leads the roundtable with Craig Shemon, Jacob Goins, Ryan Herrings, and others, unpacking Kurt Signetti’s meteoric rise, Indiana’s ferocious defense, and the SEC’s fading...

The Trojans are still without a defensive coordinator nearly one week after their final game, and there are no signs one will be named soon. Despite not having the staff completely assembled, USC has been active in the transfer portal and are starting to fill in at the positions of need. Plus some men's hoops news. Segment 1.--I have three possible reasons why USC's next defensive coordinator is s...

Lincoln Riley is still pursuing his next defensive coordinator. Many anticipated that Pete Kwiatkowski was the guy in waiting once the bowl games were over. SEGMENT 1.---Marvin Powell III and I discuss the latest news with USC's defensive coordinator search and wonder out loud why Stanford is a better choice for Pete Kwiatkowski. SEGMENT 2.--There are a handful of players who are openly campaignin...

USC has an open defensive coordinator position to announce while at the same time, they need some defensive help from the transfer portal that just opened. Segment 1.--I prepared a transfer portal shopping list for Chad Bowden and where he needs to spend the money. Segment 2.--USC has their top defensive coordinator target in its sights, the question is when will the new hire be announced and what...

As USC football breaks in the 2026 New Year following another gut punch loss, Marvin Powell III and I talk about USC existing culture and whether it needs to be fixed. Segment 1.--TCU players did their talking on the field and after the game. I have a couple of off-the-record quotes from a couple TCU players while I was at the airport, and it begs the question; Does USC football still have the rig...

USC gave up another late 4th QTR lead and ended up losing in overtime to TCU. Welcome to another instant reaction show where Lincoln Riley needs to be held accountable. #usc #uscfootball #uscbasketball #recruiting #transferportal, #Trojans #beattheirish #notredamefightinirish #notrdamefootball #cfp #collegefootballplayoffs #iowahawkeyes #D'antonlynn #defense #FOOTBALL #oregon #ducks #instantreacti...

Who will Lincoln Riley pick to be USC's next defensive coordinator now that D'Anton Lynn is going home to do the same at Penn St. where he played in college? Segment 1.--I talk about the announcement that Lynn is leaving and start exploring possible names as his replacement. There is one name at the top of the hot board, however, that does not mean there is just one solution. Segment 2.--Lincoln R...

After two years, the D'Anton Lynn era is over at USC. Zach Seyko from Locked On Penn St and I talk about the move and what it means for USC moving forward. #usc #uscfootball #uscbasketball #recruiting #transferportal, #Trojans #beattheirish #notredamefightinirish #notrdamefootball #cfp #collegefootballplayoffs #iowahawkeyes #D'antonlynn #defense #FOOTBALL #oregon #ducks #instantreaction #ncaafootb...

The Trojan have one game left to be play and show some pride and prepare for the 2026 season when they take on TCU at the Alamo Bowl. I had a chance to speak with D'Anton Lynn, DeCarlos Nicholson, Christian Pierce, and Jide Abasiri during USC's defensive press conference in San Antonio, and I have the latest news and quotes leading up to the game. Segment 1.--Marvin Powell III and I discuss why th...

Desman Stephens and Elijah Newby re-signed giving the Trojans four returning linebackers for the Alamo Bowl, with one week left before the transfer portal opens. Segment 1.--MVP3 and I breakdown the linebackers returning and what they need to show against TCU. The transfer portal opens in about a week and we know Lincoln Riley and Chad Bowden will be adding at least one impact backer from from the...