USC offensive lineman Tobias Raymond played every position on the line this season except for right guard. But no matter where he lined up, he was always a leader.
“He was one of the most important players on the entire team,” Riley told reporters before the Alamo Bowl. “His toughness was off the charts, his versatility with all the different lineups we played and being able to mentally and physically handle that.
“He was really that steadying presence and that consistent presence for the entire year.”
On December 17, Raymond became the third starting offensive lineman to re-sign with the Trojans. Justin Tauanuu and Kilian O’Connor re-signed before him, and Elijah Paige and Alani Noa followed until all five starting offensive linemen had independently agreed to return.
The multiple injuries to the offensive line could have derailed this season. Instead, it demonstrated strength and versatility in the trenches. The linemen rotated around three different centers: O’Connor, J’Onre Reed and Kaylon Miller.
The group allowed quarterback Jayden Maiava to thrive, and he threw for 285.5 yards a game — more than any other Big Ten quarterback.
Zach Hanson will be coaching the offensive line for the second season in 2026, bringing even more continuity to a room that is only losing a few pieces due to exhausted eligibility or the transfer portal.
“It’s always a good thing when you get guys that come back,” Raymond told reporters. “We’ve already got chemistry, and you don’t have to necessarily start over. It’s already there, so you can just build on it and keep growing. That’s huge for us.”
As the first transfer portal window has wrapped – although exceptions are always possible – here’s a full breakdown of the movement on USC’s offensive line entering spring, the third in a six-part series examining the post-portal scholarship outlook for every part of the roster.
Offensive line
Returning: Willi Wascher Fr.; Kaylon Miller, R-Fr.; Jack Susnjar, R-So.; Travis Leonard, R-Fr.; Erwin Taomi, R-So.; Kilian O’Connor, R-Jr.; Hayden Treter, R-Fr.; Aaron Dunn, Fr. Alex Payne, Fr.; Elijah Paige, R-Soph.; Tobias Raymond, R-Soph.; Justin Tauanuu, R-Fr.; Ratumana Bulabalavu, R-Fr.; Alano Noa, Jr.; Elijah Vaikona, Fr.
Arriving: Keenyi Pope (IMG Academy); Esun Tafa (Corner Canyon); Vlad Dyakonov (Folsom); Breck Kolojay (IMG Academy); Kannon Smith (Valor Christian); Chase Deniz (Cathedral Catholic); John Fifita (St. Francis of Mountain View)
Departing: J’Onre Reed, R-Sr. (Eligibility); Alex Payne, Fr. (Transfer, Virginia); Micah Banuelos, R-Soph. (Transfer, Purdue); Makai Saina, Soph. (Transfer, Purdue)
Top questions
Who will fill Micah Banuelos’ role?
Banuelos was a key piece of depth for USC’s offensive line this season, especially as a pass blocker, playing on the line in seven games and taking 401 snaps. He built the Trojans’ strength at left guard, but they’ll be without him in 2026.
The redshirt-sophomore transferred to Purdue, leaving an opening for someone else to step in. USC didn’t bring any offensive linemen in from the portal, so they’ll have to pull from existing or new talent.
The coaching staff could choose to move Kaylon Miller, who has taken reps at right guard and center, over to the left side, or they could give opportunities to a true freshman.
Which freshman will have a breakout year?
Seven of the 25 players from USC’s No. 1-ranked 2026 recruiting class are offensive linemen and five-star IMG Academy lineman Keenyi Pepe is the top commit from the class. He was the fifth-ranked player nationally.
Pepe already has the size to compete at the college level at 6-foot-7, 320 pounds. It’s up to sports performance coach Trumain Carroll to make sure he’s conditioned enough for the college game, and it’s on Pepe to learn the playbook quickly.
Four-star commit Esun Tafa could also be plugged in at either guard or tackle and Vlad Dyakonov, another four-star, has raw talent and could play at tackle.
Breck Kolojay is USC’s third four-star recruit and also prepped at IMG Academy. He has the size for the college game, according to scouting reports, and it’s up to the coaches as to how they want to develop him and at what position.
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