USC football head coach Lincoln Riley made his first public media appearance since spring camp on Tuesday as the last of six head coaches to speak on the opening day of Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago.
There are high expectations for the Trojans this season. Returning talent and the No. 1 2026 recruiting class in the nation, combined with new coaching additions like defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, have the team poised for its first berth in the College Football Playoff.
Here are three takeaways from what Riley said in his remarks at media days:
He’s excited about the returning starters
USC concentrated on the Southern California recruiting scene to put together a top recruiting class, and nearly all of the recruits were on campus in spring as early enrollees. But it was the returning players that Riley emphasized in his press conference.
“We have one of the most experienced groups in the country in terms of returning starters,” he told reporters. “We’re returning a starting quarterback, both starting running backs, an offensive line and defensive line that I think have depth and talent unlike any of my first four years at USC.”
Riley was speaking about quarterback Jayden Maiava and running backs Waymond Jordan and King Miller.
All of last season’s starting offensive line is returning as well, helping the Trojans to return 65% of its production from last season. That figure ranks 13th in the FBS.
No update on the Notre Dame rivalry
Riley reiterated his comments from late December when asked if there were any updates regarding the state of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry game, which has been played 96 times since 1926.
“We want to play the game,” Riley said. “I want to play the game. We would be playing the game had some things come true that were said. And so, hopefully, we get to that point.
“Obviously, we want it to happen. I know our fan base wants it to happen. College football wants it to happen, and hopefully I’m up here next year talking about that game on the future schedule.”
Maiava has unwavering support
Maiava, a redshirt senior, earned preseason honors from a panel of media members at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday in addition to glowing praise from Riley.
“Of all the guys that I’ve been fortunate enough to coach,” Riley said, “I don’t know that I’ve had any that have improved from Day One to this point as much as Jayden has.”
This season will be Maiava’s second straight as the full-time starting quarterback after he took over the final four games of the 2024 season. He ended the 2026 season with the nation’s top QBR (91.2) and went 265-of-403 passing for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns.
The 10 interceptions he threw last season indicated a need for improved decision-making. If he can cut down on turnovers, Maiava may be a sleeper candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
“It’s been fun to see him grow as a leader and start to embrace what it means to be the starting quarterback at USC,” Riley said. “I think he’s a guy that’s just gonna get better and better and is primed to play his best football.”