Trojans will try to reach the next level in 2026 with returning stars

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The USC Trojans improved this season from 2024. They made forward strides toward becoming a real threat in the Big Ten. The excitement is already high with the 2026 recruiting class coming in the next offseason. Still, the Trojanshave even more to be excited about with the return of many key players from this past season.

Here are the returning Trojans I am the most excited to see suit up for the 2026 season:

Waymond Jordan

Waymond Jordan recently resigned with the Trojans, and what started off as a dominating season ended early due to injuries. King Miller took off with his opportunity as a lead back and never turned back. Miller was explosive and everything the Trojans needed this season as the main workhorse. Prior to his injury, Waymond Jordan was more of a bruising back who would make defenders pay, while also having speed to run away from defenders. Jordan had 576 yards and five touchdowns in his first six games of the season. Jordan had two games rushing over 150 yards in his short run. If he did not get hurt, he was on a direct path to getting a 100-yard rushing season. If King Miller had a full season of a full workload, he would have also run for 1000 yards this season. It will be a race to 1k for next year’s Trojans backfield between the two. With how the two backs complement each other and how dominant they each are in their own right, the Trojans’ offense will undoubtedly feature the best backfield in the country next season.

Jayden Maiava

The Trojans are getting their starting quarterback this season, with the return of Jayden Maiava. That decision does complicate things with former 5-star recruit freshman Husan Longstreet, but this is still a move that should bring a lot of excitement for next year’s team. Maiava showed great improvement this season, and he looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. There was a ton of doubt on whether or not Maiava would be the right guy. In 2025, his junior season, Maiava cleared all of that doubt. With another season having Lincoln Riley by his hip, Maiava could be the next great Trojans quarterback and potentially be a Heisman finalist next season. It will be tough losing weapons like Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane but with how Maiava played last season and how prolific the offense is at USC, new elite weapons will find their way to USC.

Tanook Hines

Speaking of elite weapons, why not Tanook Hines? Freshman Tanook Hines had arguably one of the best seasons by a true freshman receiver at USC. Hines’ last season as a freshman had 398 yards receiving on 28 catches and two touchdowns. Hines showed up big time in one of the biggest games of the season versus Oregon with 6 catches for 141 yards receiving and a touchdown. Hines will be walking into his sophomore season with great experience and will be primed for a big season with more opportunity for targets. Who knows, Maiava to Hines could be the new unstoppable connection next season.

Husan Longstreet

Husan Longstreet resigned with the Trojans even after the Maiava news, which many thought would not happen. Longstreet is playing the long game and trusting in Lincoln Riley, something that rarely happens in college football. Not too long ago, Dante Moore chose to transfer to Oregon, and he took the backseat to Dillion Gabriel for one season. This year, he can ultimately declare for the Draft and be a top pick come April. Sometimes waiting is also another path to success. Longstreet has all the talent in the world, and there can be an argument to be made that he could be the better quarterback for USC next season. With the development and huge strides Maiava showed last season, Longstreet knows that Riley is the guy to get him to where he needs to be. If anybody knows how to develop quarterbacks and turn them into both Heisman trophy winners and quarterbacks in the NFL, it is Lincoln Riley. It may be a little longer before Longstreet will dominate at USC, but at the very least, when he bursts on the scene, it will be with Lincoln Riley.

Braylan Shelby

One of the Trojans’ most productive defensive players will return to USC next season. The Trojans’ defensive line has gotten better each year recently, and it is players like Braylan Shelby who have played a big part in the Trojans ‘ turnaround. Shelby led the Trojans with 4.5 sacks this season and 9.5 sacks total in his career at USC. The Trojans will need to be even better in the trenches next season to take another jump towards contention in the Big Ten, but retaining players like Shelby is a big step in the right direction. Shelby will continue to be a veteran and a leader for this defense that is bringing in a lot of young talent.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football retains key players for 2026, needs to capitalize

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