We made it, Trojan Family. It is officially game week as the USC Trojans will host the Missouri State Bears this Saturday at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
It has been a long offseason, but we are finally about to embark on live football, and the 2025 season is one that could have massive implications for this program.
One of the biggest question marks surrounding this team entering this season has to do with the offensive line. DJ Winfield, the presumed starter at left guard, lost his lawsuit for an extra year of eligibility, and so the Trojans have been forced to reshuffle.
Head Coach Lincoln Riley was on his usual radio spot of Trojans Live on Monday afternoon, and he teased what the offensive line will look like on Saturday at the Coli.
USC Trojans Head Coach Lincoln Riley Teases Starting Offensive Line
Riley was asked if the USC Trojans’ starting five of the offensive line was starting to come together or if it would be a work in progress through the start of the season.
“Certainly play with Elijah (Paige) at left tackle, with Alani (Noa) at right guard. I would imagine that we’ll end up playing both the centers some, both Killian O’Connor and J’Onre Reed. Tobias Raymond is certainly going to start; he gives us some position flexibility, as does Justin Tauanuu. I think those two are likely starters for us.”
We just did our depth chart projection on the USC LAFB Show, and this lineup was one of our predictions.
- LT – Elijah Paige
- LG – Tobias Raymond
- C – Killian O’Connor / J’Onre Reed
- RG – Alani Noa
- RT – Justin Tauanuu
Based on what Lincoln Riley said on Trojans Live, it looks like the starting week one OL could be:
— Ryan Dyrud (@RyanDyrudLAFB) August 26, 2025
LT: Elijah Paige
LG: Tobias Raymond
C: O'Connor/Reed
LG: Alani Noa
RT: Justin Tauanuu
In a perfect world, Tobias Raymon is probably the USC Trojans’ best right tackle. That is where he would have played had DJ Wingfield won his extra year of eligibility.
However, the staff has raved about his flexibility and willingness to play wherever he is needed. The key for him will be them picking a spot and then sticking with it throughout the season so that he can maximize his reps in practice every week.
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The Center position is a really interesting one. When J’Onree Reed transferred over from Syracuse, it felt like a forgone conclusion that he would be the starting Center moving forward. That has not been the case as former walk-on Killian O’Connor has pushed him to the brink for the starting job. This is what you want to see in fall camp. Guys battling for starting spots, pushing each other.
Ultimately, you want the five best guys to play. Riley did mention last week that Reed has some position flex as well, so there could be a slim possibility that they move him to guard and then move Raymond back to right tackle. Again, you want all of this to take place over the next two weeks and then hold firm for the season.
Justin Tauanuu has a ton of upside. The 6’6, 315-pound redshirt freshman is the future bookend tackle for the USC Trojans. The biggest question for him is, will he be fully ready to go this season? There will certainly be some growing pains, but hopefully they can work the kinks out in Weeks 1 and 2.
We should also see Micah Banuelos get some reps at guard in the first two games. He is still rehabbing from an injury last year to fully get his strength back, but he has a lot of upside once he is fully healthy.
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