There’s something different in the air this spring for USC football and it’s not just the Southern California heat. Head coach Lincoln Riley sees it too.
“It’s one of the closer groups,” Riley said. “Led very well by [defensive ends coach Shaun Nua and defensive line coach Eric Henderson], and how well those guys work together. I think it’s a great example for our guys of two coaches coming together and really kind of becoming as one... It’s an energetic group. It’s a confident group. They’re really out to prove something.”
That mix of motivation and chemistry has defined the Trojans’ offseason grind. The energy feels different not just because of the talent on the field, but because of how the players are showing up for each other.
Whether it’s freshmen trying to earn their spot, veterans bouncing back from injury, or transfers adjusting to the pace of USC’s program, one thing is clear, this team is locked in and all in.
Redshirt junior defensive tackle Devan Thompkins put it simply, “Defensive line, defense, offense I’d say all of us have a chip on our shoulder all the time.”
That edge has become a defining trait for the Trojans heading into this season. After facing criticism for last year’s defensive struggles, the team is coming in with something to prove. It’s not just about turning heads with a revamped defense. It’s about doing it together.
Thompkins has made it a point to take younger players under his wing, both on and off the field.
“I just want to be a leader for the younger guys,” he said. “Me being in their shoes before, I just try to keep my head straight and be a good role model for them. I spend a lot of time with them not just on the field, but outside of here as well.”
And yes, that includes off the field too. Thompkins noted that he took some of the guys to an escape room to further bond. When asked if his group escaped, he grinned and said, “I don’t know about everybody else,” he said. “But we won. My team.”
The sense of camaraderie extends beyond veteran and young players.
For players like redshirt senior defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver, who transferred into the program from Kentucky, that brotherhood was a major draw. He’s now paying it forward.
“I try to pull the guys up. Let’s go watch film. Let’s go out to eat. I’ll buy food. Let’s go get some extra work,” Silver said. “Because when I first got to college, I had that. I was with my brothers, I was with my coach. So that’s how I’m trying to live, you know?”
Silver also shares a bond with Henderson over a difficult life experience, as both of them lost their mothers. That emotional connection not only played a role in Silver’s decision to come to USC, but it has also shaped his purpose within the program. It’s helped him build deeper relationships with the coaching staff and become a more grounded presence for his teammates.
Spring ball has also revealed promising signs from younger players. Freshman defensive end Jahkeem Stewart, who reclassified and skipped his senior year of high school, is already turning heads.
“You can just see him becoming more comfortable out there,” junior defensive end Braylan Shelby said. “He’s becoming the player he’s supposed to be, the player he’s going to be.”
Shelby echoed what many inside the locker room are feeling this spring.
“Spring has been good. Everybody’s been growing, everybody’s been getting better. It’s been a great overall team just coming together,” Shelby said.
As USC football looks ahead and as spring ball’s end is around the corner, the message from the locker room is loud and clear. This season, the Trojans are built differently and they’re built together, hoping to really make a statement upon their return this 2025 season.