LOS ANGELES — USC wrapped up training camp this past weekend and heads into mock game week as it begins preparation for its Aug. 29 season opener against San Jose State.

It can’t be overstated how crucial this year is for both Lincoln Riley, who enters his fifth season as the program’s head coach, and the Trojans, who are still searching for their first College Football Playoff appearance.

During training camp, USC opened three full practices, including a scrimmage, to the media. Here’s what I learned after attending all three.

1. No need to waste time; let’s get straight to USC’s top-ranked 2026 recruiting class and which freshmen will be significant contributors this season.

In past training camps, it was obvious from the early stages of practice that players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake Jackson, Drake London and Calen Bullock were clearly ready to make an impact for the Trojans. Their college careers played out accordingly.

It was only three practices, but I was really impressed with five-star defensive end Luke Wafle, who was the No. 6 overall recruit in the 2026 recruiting cycle, per the 247Sports Composite. He displayed the flashes you want to see early on from a player who entered college with that much recruiting acclaim, and I’m interested to see how big his role becomes as the season goes on, if he doesn’t open the year as a starter.

I wrote about receiver Trent Mosley in the spring, and my optimism hasn’t wavered. I expect he’ll have a place in the starting receiver group in the slot, where his 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame will play well.

Mosley is part of the Trojans’ very talented freshman receiver group. Boobie Feaster (No. 41 overall player in the 2026 cycle) has generated a lot of hype for the plays he’s made during camp, but don’t sleep on fellow four-star receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (No. 59 overall recruit nationally), who was also a consistent presence.

Defensive lineman Tomuhini “Tom Tom” Topui Jr. has a few veterans ahead of him along the interior defensive line, but I was impressed with the 6-3, 320-pounder’s quickness and burst off the ball.

Five-star freshman tight end Mark Bowman should make an impact at his position this season as well.

“We’re certainly going to have multiple, multiple freshmen on both sides of the ball that are going to play large roles,” Riley said Friday. “There will be some guys that start. There will be some guys who play a lot. There are going to be some guys who are solid 2s who are going to rotate a lot. There is going to be a lot of presence from our freshman class on the field and certainly on special teams as well.”

2. I’m curious to see what sort of leap Jahkeem Stewart makes in his second college season. Before the 2026 recruiting class, Stewart was one of the most-hyped recruits to sign with USC during Riley’s tenure.

He had some really promising moments last season — that he generated 7.5 tackles for loss while playing with a stress fracture in his foot should not be dismissed. But Stewart is not a sure bet to open this season as a starter with Jide Abasiri and Alex VanSumeren also playing along the interior defensive line.

Stewart will definitely be a major figure in the rotation and has the highest ceiling of the defensive tackles, so we’ll see if he inches closer toward reaching that this fall.

3. Center Kilian O’Connor’s season-ending injury was a tough blow for USC’s offensive line. Time will tell how much of an impact it truly leaves. There was offseason buzz about Tobias Raymond potentially starting at center, and I expect that to be the case now that O’Connor is sidelined.

Raymond has started 14 career games, seven at tackle and seven at guard, so we’ve seen plenty of him. O’Connor’s injury really thrusts third-year offensive lineman Hayden Treter into the spotlight, however. Treter has played extensive snaps in just one game (a start in last season’s Alamo Bowl). Now he’s the frontrunner to start at left guard.

4. Ryon Sayeri connected on 21 of his 25 field goal attempts, handled kickoff duties and was third-team All-Big Ten last season. But that doesn’t mean he’s walking into a starting placekicker role this season.

Sayeri certainly could earn the starting role, but on Friday, Riley stressed that Caden Chittenden is also in the mix.

It was assumed Chittenden would be the starter last season after he transferred from UNLV, where he had a strong season in 2024 — freshman All-American and All-Mountain West first-team honors. But Chittenden suffered an injury that opened the door for Sayeri to claim the starting job.

Riley said Sayeri will still handle kickoff duties this season. It’s still up in the air, though, who will handle field goals and extra points.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever been in a situation as a coach where you have two guys that you believe in as much as I believe in them and they both have game reps, game success,” Riley said. “It’s unique.”

5. At this point of the preseason, I feel confident in what USC has coming back at quarterback, with Jayden Maiava in his third season with Riley; running back, where Waymond Jordan is healthy and King Miller has really transformed his physical appearance; and the offensive line, if it remains healthy. I’m also high on the potential at receiver, even though some of those younger players are unproven. If Tanook Hines is healthy, he and NC State transfer Terrell Anderson should provide a solid baseline for the group. I like the depth of the defensive line as well. It should be one of the deeper units USC has had in recent memory.

6. My concerns come on defense. While I like USC’s depth on the defensive line, I wonder where the closers are? Up four in the final minutes and in need of a stop to close the game, who can the Trojans count on to get to the passer? We’ve seen Kam Crawford and Braylan Shelby for multiple seasons, and they haven’t turned into those kinds of players. Will it have to be Wafle as a true freshman? That’s a lot to ask.

We’ve seen Michigan and Ohio State win national championships and Miami make a deep Playoff run because they had waves of pass rushers. I don’t know if USC has enough in that category, which is why it’s struggled to get stops late in close games over the past two years.

Also, the linebacker group has to take a real step forward this season. It feels like I’ve been writing that for nearly a decade, but it remains true, especially if this defense is going to get to where it wants to be.

And in the secondary, Iowa State transfer Jontez Williams provides a veteran presence at the top corner spot, but is coming off a season-ending knee injury that cut short his 2025 campaign. Chasen Johnson seems to be in line to start at the other corner spot, but he missed most of last season because of injury. The other options at corner are young or inconsistent. And elsewhere in the secondary, Prophet Brown and Alex Graham or Kennedy Urlacher will be counted on to be full-time starters for the first time in their careers.

That’s troubling considering 2026 opponents Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana all feature loaded receiver groups.

7. This time a year ago, I wrote that USC was a seven- or eight-win team and the Trojans won nine regular-season games. Two years ago, my projection was 7-5, and USC went 6-6 in the regular season.

I think the Trojans will be pretty good this season, but I still view them as a 9-3 team, and I don’t know if that’ll be enough to make the Playoff. Oregon and Ohio State are coming to the Coliseum, but those teams boast more high-end talent than USC. Until USC proves it can go into a hostile road environment and beat a quality team, how can we trust it to win at Indiana?

USC will be coming off either an emotional high or emotional letdown when it faces Washington the week after Oregon. It won’t be easy to walk out of Happy Valley with a win against Penn State either, so those are challenging games as well.

As I say every preseason, USC can prove me wrong if things break right. Regardless, it’s shaping up to be a fascinating season for the program.

This is not Chalobah’s first spell with a club overseas, having spent part of the 2020-21 campaign on loan with Lorient in the French top flight.

It was there that he emulated his older brother Nathaniel, who played for Napoli, by taking the less-trodden path of moving to Europe as an English player, a route that has since become more commonplace.

The younger Chalobah says it was “not a coincidence” that Tuchel, whom he had faced while at Lorient after the German joined Paris St-Germain, picked him out and gave him his Chelsea debut.

Five years later, Tuchel promised him that if a defender dropped out of England’s World Cup squad, Chalobah would be first in line for a call-up.

While on holiday in New York, Chalobah received the call to join Tuchel’s squad at his first World Cup in place of the injured Tino Livramento.

“The story’s already written before I was born,” Chalobah said.

“He’s the one that gave me my debut for Chelsea and he’s the same manager that called me up for the World Cup last minute.

“I think certain things are meant to happen and I’m grateful for that. Obviously all thanks to him and I’m really happy.”

The tournament ended in a semi-final defeat by Argentina before the team secured the bronze medal with a 6-4 victory over France in their final match.

“No one wants to come third. You’re just one step away from the final,” he said.

“It was definitely hard for the players. It did hit us for a couple of days. You know how hard the boys worked, how they believed that we could win it.

“And yeah, we were so close. But we learn from this and be proud of what we’ve done and achieved.”

It is now another manager with whom Chalobah’s destiny intertwines.

Fabregas was one of Chelsea‘s stars when Chalobah was in the academy and taking part in training sessions with the first-team squad.

“I remember how demanding he was with the younger players. So yeah, I know him really well,” Chalobah explained, recalling those early sessions.

Fabregas has overseen Como’s remarkable rise from Serie B to the Champions League in just two seasons and convinced Chalobah to join amid interest from Inter Milan.

“He was a massive part,” Chalobah added. “He explained what he wanted, the way he sees the club and how he sees me fitting into this club and how I can help – having a lot of experience, physicality as well, the leadership.

“It wasn’t an overnight thing, it was a very thoughtful and hard decision. But I thought, as I said, the trajectory of this club and the direction it’s going in, and speaking to the manager, and wanting to be part of this story.

“I’m really excited for this new chapter in my beautiful story that I’ve had so far.”

First, a disclaimer: The Tennessee Titans kind of stink on the offensive line and in the secondary, so the San Francisco 49ers’ results against them last week in the joint practice and preseason game might be a little misleading. Let’s hold off another week or two before fitting rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling for a gold jacket.

That said, the 49ers’ rookies and backups have been impressive during training camp, and the team will have to cut some guys who have played well (and might very well get picked up by another team). It’s not just a tired general manager or coach cliché, like it often is around the league.

Wide receiver, linebacker and offensive line should be especially tough for GM John Lynch, coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff when it comes to making the final cuts to 53 players on Aug. 30. I am here to help.

Here is our initial 53-man projection following one preseason game. (Rookies in italics)

Offense (26)

Quarterback (3): Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, Kurtis Rourke

Cut: Adrian Martinez

The 49ers are not ready to say that Rourke, a seventh-round pick last year, is poised to be the backup in 2o27, in the likely scenario where Mac Jones leaves in free agency to pursue a starting opportunity elsewhere. But they are not ready to say that he isn’t, either, which is why they have to keep him on the 53. Ideally, Rourke would protect himself a little better in the final two preseason games, if he’s able to play, after injuring his ribs in the opener.

Running back (4): Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, Jordan James, Kyle Juszczyk (fullback)

Cut: Patrick Taylor Jr., Sincere McCormick, Khalil Herbert, Zamir White

PUP: Isaac Guerendo

Black — whom the Niners have big plans for when they finally give McCaffrey a breather — and James will make the roster, assuming their injuries aren’t enough to land either on injured reserve. There is some flexibility after that, as the other four running backs would likely clear waivers if the 49ers want them back after final cuts.

There is no real reason to rush Guerendo back from the torn pec he suffered in the offseason. If he stays on the PUP list through cuts, he would miss at least four games and buy the 49ers time to decide on his roster spot.

Wide receiver (6): Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, De’Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, Christian Kirk

Cut: Jacob Cowing, KhaDarel Hodge, Will Pauling, Wesley Grimes, Malik Turner, Trenton Irwin

I was trying to find a spot for Hodge, a favorite of former Falcons head coach and current Niners defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. He is very good on special teams and a physical receiver. But I wound up cutting him and Cowing, the speedster whom it seems the 49ers have been waiting on forever. The 49ers roll with two vets — Robinson has been too good in camp, and Purdy loves him, while Kirk has been out with a calf injury, and it seems like the staff told him to take his time coming back.

Tight end (3): George Kittle, Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell

Cut: Brayden Willis, Josiah Deguara, Hayden Rucci

Kittle looks poised to come back from his Achilles injury early in the season, maybe in Week 1, while Tonges and Farrell have had nice camps. So has Willis, but his blocking again betrayed him in Thursday night’s game, and the fourth time is not the charm for making the team

Offensive line (10): LT Trent Williams, LG Robert Jones, C Jake Brendel, RG Dominick Puni, RT Colton McKivitz, OT Austen Pleasants, G Carver Willis, G Connor Colby, OT Vederian Lowe, OT Enrique Cruz Jr.

Cut: Brett Toth, Brandon Parker, Kion Smith, Drake Nugent, Isaac Alarcon, Doug Kramer Jr.

The Colby experiment seems to have ended quickly — the second-year player makes too many mistakes — and the Niners are now giving the rookie Willis a shot at the starting left guard spot. If Willis doesn’t claim it, the 49ers will roll with Jones, who is better at run blocking than pass protection, or see who is on the waiver wire.

The rest of the starting five is solid, with Lowe a solid swing tackle off the bench. Cruz is a long way off but might be too good of an athlete to cut, so we gave Toth his walking papers, even though he is the best backup option at center.

Defense (24)

Defensive line (9): DE Mykel Williams, DT Osa Odighizuwa, DT Alfred Collins, DE Nick Bosa, DE Keion White, DE Romello Height, DT CJ West, DE Sam Okuayinonu, DT Gracen Halton

Cut: DT Sebastian Valdez, DT Bryson Eason, DT James Thompson Jr., DE Ogbo Okoronkwo, DE Quinton Bell, DE Titus Leo, DE Xavier Thomas

Even if Bosa, Williams and White return from injuries this week, there are concerns about the pass rush. Height is extremely quick with a bevy of moves, but he is still a little slight, and the rookie wound up on the turf often on Thursday night.

The interior line is stacked, and even with Collins slowly rounding into shape, there is no need to keep five DTs, even though Eason, Thompson and Valdez have all looked that part. Getting at least one back on the practice squad will suffice.

Linebacker (6): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Nick Martin, Tatum Bethune, Luke Gifford, Jaden Dugger

Cut: Garret Wallow, Larry Worth III, Jalen Graham

Wallow and Worth are both tough cuts, especially Worth, who has stood out not only for his height but also for his ability to cover tight ends. Dugger’s quick grasp of things ultimately hurts Worth, though we wonder whether he could steal a roster spot from Bethune or Martin. Morris has no attachment to either. Could one be traded?

Cornerback (5): Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Upton Stout, Jack Jones, Ephesians Prysock

Cut: Darrell Luter Jr., Eli Apple, Jakob Robinson

IR: Nate Hobbs

Jones has been one of the top players at camp, and his hand injury Thursday night was not serious. Prysock was impressive in his place, and the 49ers love their depth here.

“(He) made a nice play in the red zone, being able to knock down a pass,” Morris said of Prysock’s debut. “Watching how sticky he was on some of the other coverage that he could have been targeted on, but he was able to deny it or the play goes away, and the quarterback progressed — I was really pleased with how he played.”

Hobbs already faced an uphill battle before injuring his groin on Tuesday.

Safety (4): Ji’Ayir Brown, Marques Sigle, Malik Mustapha, Siran Neal

Cut: Ashtyn Davis, Jalen Stroman, Patrick McMorris

Brown, like several of the cornerbacks, seems to have really taken to Morris’ scheme and is playing aggressively, while a beefed-up Sigle has taken advantage of an injury to Mustapha. The fourth spot comes down to whom special teams coach Brant Boyer likes better between Neal and Davis.

Special teams (3)

PK Eddy Piñeiro, P Corliss Waitman, LS Jon Weeks

Piñeiro earned a big payday last season, while Weeks made the Pro Bowl. The only question mark is Waitman, the former Steeler, but he appears solid, and he beat out rookie Jack Bouwmeester in a rather tame camp battle.