USC Trojans Defensive Depth Chart Prediction with Transfer, Recruiting Additions
The USC Trojans created new expectations for their 2026 defense.
Coach Lincoln Riley reeling in former TCU head coach Gary Patterson to run the defense sparked the first set of intrigue. But adding five and four-star recruits only emboldens those expectations. What will USC's 2026 defense look like amid the recruiting and transfer portal additions?
Edge Rushers
Starters: Jide Abasiri, Jahkeem Stewart
Key Backups: Floyd Boucard, Jamaal Jarrett, Jaimeon Winfield, Alex VanSumerin
Like Wafle, the five-star addition Winfield fires up buzz for the future of the interior defense.
But Abasiri and Stewart will be trusted to plug the gaps more in their return. Both are capable of forming one of the nation's top defensive tackle tandems. VanSumerin enters the picture as the top nose tackle option when USC wants someone lining up over the center. Jarrett brings imposing size at 6-5, 360-pounds and the Trojans are expecting him to take the next step following his Georgia transfer of 2025.
Linebackers
Starters: Desman Stephens II, Deven Bryant
Key Backups: Jadyn Walker, Elijah Newby, Talanoa Ili
USC turns to its third linebackers coach in the last three seasons with Mike Ekeler. He takes over for Rob Ryan, who succeeded Matt Entz in January of 2025.
Stephens lures experience back in this room after piling 89 tackles including three behind the line of scrimmage. Bryant is undersized at 5-11 but tallied 62 tackles with Washington last season. Ili represents the future of the 'backer room as a massive four-star signing and was the state of Hawaii's top overall prospect per ESPN.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Marcelles Wiliams, Jontez Williams, Alex Graham (nickelback)
Key Backups: Prophet Brown, Chasen Johnson, Elbert Hill IV (nickelback)
Patterson's past Horned Frogs defenses were deep at cornerback. His first USC defense presents depth and a plethora of talent to work with.
That includes nickelback, which rises as the fifth defensive back in this base 4-2-5 look. Marcelles Williams rises as the trusted veteran at one of the perimeter spots. But Jontez Williams faced his share of elite air attacks and quarterback play at Iowa State, likely handing him the other cornerback spot. Hill arrives as a four-star who could challenge for the nickel duties immediately with Graham.
Safeties
Starters: Christian Pierce, Kennedy Urlacher
Key Backups: Marquis Gallegos, Isaiah Rubin
Patterson misses on the chance to coach All-American Bishop Fitzgerald here.
But he'll coach the son of NFL linebacker legend Brian Urlacher Kennedy, who arrives via rival Notre Dame. Returning junior Pierce earns the chance to become the safety ball-hawk for Patterson after breaking up three passes last season. Rubin and Gallegos presents an intriguing sophomore group.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/usc as USC Trojans Defensive Depth Chart Prediction with Transfer, Recruiting Additions.
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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 11:18 AM.