With fall camp starting Wednesday, USC held its in-house media day on Monday, July 28. As the Trojans prepare for the 2025 season, players and coaches are reflecting on last year’s lessons while embracing the opportunity to grow.
Offensive lineman J’Onre Reed, a transfer from Syracuse, is adjusting to both the Big Ten and the high expectations that come with playing at USC.
“It’s a little bit different in the Big Ten, I’ll tell you that,” Reed said with a smile.
His biggest challenge so far has been learning the offensive terminology. Still, Reed said the core values at USC are becoming ingrained in him.
“I want to bring the guard mentality, definitely. Just being detailed,” he said. “But also, the core values here at USC are very strong. They’re built into me right now, and I’m learning to grow into that too, because that’s what’s going to help this team grow a lot more.”
When asked about his offseason focus, Reed emphasized communication.
“Being able to communicate. Being able to digest,” Reed said.
He credits the brotherhood within the team for getting him through tough practices.
“When I’m down, I look to my brothers. I play for them.”
Redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava, who led USC to a comeback win over Texas A&M in last season’s Las Vegas Bowl, is embracing his new role as the starting quarterback.
“Stay neutral,” Maiava said when asked about his mindset this season. “No matter how much work you think you’ve put in, it’s never enough.”
A key adjustment Maiava was set on making was regarding his emotions. He noted that the end of last season held a lot of ups and downs for him emotionally. Now, Maiava has learned how to adjust and tackle these emotions head on. He is able to start a fresh season and take it day by day.
This day by day mentality has not only helped Maiava on his own journey this offseason, but has also been a continuous mantra for the entire offense. Maiava says the offense is continuously finding ways to get better everyday in all aspects of their game.
His quarterback room especially seems to have his same mentality, “We all have chemistry. We want to make each other better. There’s definitely a lot of things that Sam [Huard] and Husan [Longstreet] bring to the table that I can learn from.”
Seeing that a lot of work has been done with this offensive group, when asked what fans can expect from them this season his answer was simple: “A lot of touchdowns.”
Maiava said this year’s team is especially close, in fact it may even be one of the closest teams he’s been a part of.
That sentiment is shared by teammates like Reed, Kentucky transfer and redshirt senior defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver, junior receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, and redshirt junior defensive tackle Devan Thompkins, a brotherhood that’s been building steadily since Spring Ball.
On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn spoke about the progress he’s seen from his unit. Lynn said the defense took a big stride this past spring, especially in communication and trust.
“We felt like this past year we did a good job of piecing together a Big Ten front seven, but we didn’t have Big Ten depth,” he said. “You need depth to play in the Big Ten. This year, we have more guys that we trust to play in the game.”
Defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator Eric Henderson praised the new group for its size and potential.
“It’s different. They’re very talented,” he said. “Obviously, they’re massive.”
Henderson noted that small details were the downfall in many of last season’s fourth-quarter losses. “There were plays left on the field; missed sacks, missed chances. It’s about capitalizing on those opportunities when they come.”
He also shared his appreciation for the addition of Trumain Carroll as the Trojans’ new director of football sports performance, a sentiment echoed by linebacker coach and assistant head coach for defense Rob Ryan.
Lane highlighted the impact of teammate and fellow junior receiver Makai Lemon, pointing out their mutual drive to push each other and the rest of the receiver room.
“We realize we’re both high-caliber receivers, and we bring that standard to the group,” Lane said. “Getting better every day, whether that’s one percent or five percent.”
Team brotherhood has been a major message this offseason.
How have these players gotten so close? Beyond football, they bond simply by spending time together. For some players that means barbecues, for Lane and Lemon that means several golf outings. While the sport is just a pastime for the two receivers, Lane says it’s actually taught him lessons that carry over to the football field.
“Definitely the slow pace of it,” he said. “Trying to realize it’s not like you’re gonna crush the ball and get to the hole in one shot… A lot of the time in football you want to make the big plays in one go but it doesn’t really work like that.”
Another name making headlines is sophomore safety Kennedy Urlacher, son of NFL Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, who recently transferred to USC from Notre Dame. The appeal? Los Angeles.
“Really just the unlimited opportunities in LA,” Urlacher said when asked why he chose USC. “It’s a great city. I like it a lot.”
He also praised the coaching staff. “I like [secondary coach Doug] Belk, [head coach Lincoln] Riley. It’s a great staff and a world-class education as well.”
With a strong football background and the drive to make an impact, Urlacher is ready to contribute.
“Wherever the season takes us,” he said, “I plan on going far with this team, and I look forward to it.”
No one on this USC team is pretending last season didn’t leave a mark. But they’re not fixated on it either. With stronger chemistry, clearer communication and a focus on the details, the Trojans are entering the new season with a new mindset. The standard is clear. Now it’s about meeting it.
USC opens its 2025 season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against Missouri State on August 30. The game could set the tone for the Trojans and the big plans they have ahead.