Thirty-two out of the 35 class of 2026 recruits enrolled early at USC this spring, and starting quarterback Jayden Maiava wasted no time taking the offensive players under his wing.

He’s met with them one-on-one and as a group, holding film sessions with the younger or transfer receivers and tight ends. They walked through plays on the field outside of practice.

“He’s got a tremendous sense of urgency,” offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Luke Huard told reporters in late February. “He’s done a really good job thus far of getting to know these new teammates … and just building these relationships and connecting and continuing to unify our roster.”

This year’s team will rely heavily on Maiava and his offseason improvements, especially with a roster packed with returning starters and competitive position battles that can bring out the best in the Trojans’ offense.

“There’s room for improvement for everybody across the board, including me,” Maiava told reporters at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. “That constant wanting to learn, that constant wanting to get better, having that mindset of, ‘Yeah, I’ve still got to improve.’ Never being satisfied.”

Maiava, a redshirt senior, is going into his second season of being a full-time starting quarterback at USC after he started the last four games of the 2024 season. He will do so with an experienced offensive line in front of him.

All five starting offensive linemen are returning this year: right guard Alani Noa, left tackle Elijah Paige, left guard Tobias Raymond, right tackle Justin Tauanuu and center Kilian O’Connor.

Although injuries forced position coach Zach Hanson to shuffle players around on the line last season, the offense remained efficient. Maiava passed for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns, ranking him first and fifth in those categories in the Big Ten, respectively.

The remaining positions on offense could see battles of varying degrees.

If Waymond Jordan is healthy and fully recovered from an ankle injury sustained during last season’s Oct. 11 game against Michigan, it’s likely that he will be the starting running back this season.

King Miller proved himself by taking over the starting job in Jordan’s absence and rushed for 972 yards (74.8 per game). He could be a solid option below Jordan on the depth chart, or Riley might choose to start him depending on what type of defense the Trojans are facing in a particular game.

“We’re hoping to get King 2.0,” running backs coach Anthony Jones said. “I think he shocked a lot of people. Transforming his body has been one of his goals this offseason. Studying the game, becoming a more complete running back has been one of the things that he and I have both been focusing on.”

The No. 3 running back spot is up for grabs.

Riley Wormley, a redshirt freshman, is the next most experienced back after playing in three games last season, but true freshmen Deshonne Redeaux and Shahn Alston could challenge him for that spot.

Redeaux is listed at 205 pounds and Alston is 220, outweighing Wormley’s 190-pound frame. Both freshmen were two of the highest-rated running backs in the country as recruits, and Redeaux clocked 10.78 seconds in the 100-meter dash during his junior year of track and field at Oaks Christian School.

The receiver and tight end positions could see much more intense battles.

Tanook Hines is the only returning starting receiver after leading receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane were both selected in the NFL draft.

Redshirt sophomore Zacharyus Williams appeared in five games last season and started in one after an injury in the Georgia Southern Game limited him for most of the season. Sophomore Corey Simms played in all 13 games on special teams, and junior transfer Terrell Anderson had 39 catches for 629 yards at North Carolina State last season.

There are also seven true freshmen receivers, many with enough talent to vie for playing time and make connections with Maiava.

The Trojans suffered a blow at tight end when Lake McRee declared for the NFL draft and Walker Lyons transferred to BYU. USC quickly rebuilt the room, however, and could realistically be playing 12 personnel once again this season.

True freshman Mark Bowman (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) is an early frontrunner to lock up a starting spot. As a recruit, he was one of the best tight ends in the country and reclassified in order to enroll at USC this year.

Redshirt junior Wisconsin transfer Tucker Ashcraft and junior Southwestern College transfer Josiah Jefferson could use experience to their advantage, and a handful of returning Trojans are in the mix, too.

Redshirt senior Carson Tabaracci played in 10 games last season and started in the Alamo Bowl and redshirt freshman Taniela Tupou played in five games at tight end. Walter Matthews was primarily a special teams player for 11 games.