Offensive lineman Alani Noa returns to USC after transfer rumors

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One notable aspect of USC’s Alamo Bowl loss to TCU last month was the absence of offensive lineman Alani Noa. Noa was not listed on the depth chart prior to the game, nor was he with the team in San Antonio. According to reports, he was also not in attendance at several practices back in Los Angeles leading up to the Alamo Bowl.

Based on this, the growing inclination is that Noa would not be back at USC in 2026. On Tuesday, however, he officially re-signed with the Trojans, putting an end to that speculation.

After seeing action in six games as a true freshman reserve in 2023, Noa has started at offensive guard for the Trojans each of the past two seasons. His return is big for USC, as it ensures even more cohesion on the offensive line next season.

The Trojans are also bringing back fellow offensive linemen Elijah Paige, Killian O’Connor, Tobias Raymond, and Justin Tauanuu—all of whom have starting experience. The fact that USC is returning the vast majority of production at the unit is massive, as it means that the Trojans will have a veteran offensive line with a lot of experience playing together in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Offensive lineman Alani Noa re-signs with USC football

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