Lincoln Riley Says USC’s High Number of Returners Reflects Strong Belief in Program

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USC has 15 starters from last season returning to the program next season, including Third-Team All-Big Ten starting quarterback Jayden Maiava. With the rise of NIL, the transfer portal is a hot spot for many star players during the offseason but USC has managed to keep a larger number of its starters in Los Angeles.

“It’s pretty rare to have that guy back at quarterback in Jayden and continuity at key positions. I would guess we’re one of just a handful of teams across the country that’s happened with in this era,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said, per USA Today.

The Trojans came close to making their first College Football Playoff appearance but fell short last season. This time around, USC will add the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class into an already dominant group of returners, which should give the Trojans a better shot at competing for a national championship.

Riley said the large number of returning players shows that those players have faith in where USC’s program is headed.

“I just think it shows that the guys in the program are excited about where we’re going,” Riley said, per USA Today. “I think it’s a vote of confidence from people in this program on day in, day out basis for the program. No matter how last season went individually, people in this program are developing, getting better, they’re getting the type of support they need at this level to perform, to do well academically, to do well in all areas.”

There are still a few more months until USC officially opens its season against San Jose State at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Aug. 29.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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