USC Spring Practice Heats Up with Crucial Position Battles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — USC football is in full swing this spring as players compete for starting positions ahead of the upcoming season. A weekend visit by key recruit Fitzgerald highlighted the program’s focus on strengthening its roster, while internal competition intensifies among current players.

The Bruins recently offered wide receiver Fitzgerald a scholarship, after having him visit for their Elite Prospect Night in January. His recent campus visit comes amid USC’s continuing pursuit of top talent for the 2026 recruiting class.

As USC enters the second half of spring practice, several fierce position battles are underway, particularly at safety and cornerback. Coach Lincoln Riley acknowledged that while many players are vying for starting roles, competition will extend across the roster.

“There will be rotation at all of the positions previously mentioned, so even if a player loses out on a starting role, they’re still likely to be featured and have in-game opportunities to prove themselves,” Riley said.

At safety, candidates including Tauanuu and Raymond are in contention for key roles, while cornerbacks are also locked in a battle for first-team spots. In the running back department, USC’s three top tailbacks are striving for the RB1 designation.

However, one of the most riveting contests this spring is the contention for the right tackle position between third-year sophomore Tobias and second-year freshman Justin. Both players have showcased impressive skill, capturing the attention of coaches.

“They’re both doing some really good things this spring,” Riley noted. “Tobias has established himself as one of our best offensive linemen. That happened this spring. And Justin’s playing very well.”

Diving deeper into the details of their performances, Tauanuu, who exclusively played at left tackle last season, participated in a high number of snaps during the Las Vegas Bowl victory over Texas A&M. His performance, while not flawless according to Pro Football Focus metrics, showed promise.

“When I went in at first, I told myself ‘don’t mess up and don’t make a mistake'” said Tauanuu. “But when I went back and watched the film, I didn’t do as bad as I thought I did.”

As for Raymond, who started at right tackle during the bowl game, his experience places him initially as the front-runner. However, the intense competition this spring has shifted perspectives.

“This offseason has been different for me. I have to study a lot more and work on my consistency,” Tauanuu added, illustrating his commitment to improving in practice.

The Trojans have also been actively engaging with young prospects, including recruits like 2027 running back Waye from Georgia. His first visit to Oregon highlighted the family-like environment of the coaching staff, which played a pivotal role in his impression of the program.

As USC navigates this critical period in spring practice, the combinations of competition, recruitment, and internal development promise an exciting season ahead for fans.