Man, the glow-up Lincoln Riley was supposed to bring to USC has gone from bright to, well…dim. Let’s keep it real—he was the talk of the town back in Oklahoma. In five seasons with the Sooners, Riley’s squads racked up a ridiculous 55-10 record. Flash forward to USC, and it’s like watching a Prison Break series that started strong but is now fizzling in its third season. An 11-3 debut? Not bad. But then 8-5 happened. And this year? A pitiful 6-6. Fans are asking: is the offensive genius title still deserved, or is it time to pass the torch? Lincoln Riley has one more trick in his sleeves before the transfer portal ends. All credit to Diego Pavia’s heroics and the NCAA’s new rule that allows players from Junior College to ba-l at the NCAA for 4 years. Riley’s banking on some fresh faces from the portal to spark the turnaround.

But that’s not the only challenge. USC’s offense is staring down a major shake-up in 2025. With team captain Jonah Monheim and tackle Mason Murphy off to the NFL, the Trojans are facing some big-time gaps in defense and offense. Riley better hope his magic touch ain’t completely gone, because he’s got some serious fixing to do in LA. The Trojans’ problem this season have been as glaring as a SoCal sunset, starting with the offensive line. “Down bad” doesn’t even cover it. Penalties, missed assignments, and zero push in the trenches made Lincoln Riley’s offense look like a lost cause. This O-line ain’t protecting anyone—not in the air, not on the ground. But wait, there’s a glimmer of hope: Lincoln Riley might just be dialing up his comeback play.

Enter Zy Crisler, Illinois’ beast of an offensive guard. At 6’6” and 335 pounds, this man’s a walking skyscraper. On December 26th, USC insider USCJ spoke about Zy’s situation. “Zy is very interesting for the simple fact that he did start off in junior college his freshman year and ended up transferring for his sophomore year.” This is what Lincoln Riley’s been looking for right now: eligibility.

Then he continued, “I think USC can absolutely move and groove with a guy like this if they’re able to secure him.” Zy’s got a clean receipt at offensive and has over 30 career starts. Honorable mentions? Check. Joe Moore Award semifinalist? Check. Experience at guard and tackle? Double check. And here’s the kicker: the new NCAA rule means Crisler could have two years of eligibility left, thanks to his junior college roots. Riley desperately needs this type of heat on the O-line. If the Trojans lock him in before the transfer portal closes soon, it could be a game-changer in the offense.

But let’s not get too hyped just yet. Remember, over 19 players, including 5-star studs like Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson, have already dipped out of the program. The USC ship isn’t just leaking—it’s Titanic-level sinking. Grabbing Crisler might patch up a hole, but it won’t magically fix a broken culture or Riley’s nosediving reputation. Still, if there’s one thing Riley knows, it’s how to pivot under pressure. Adding a seasoned lineman like Crisler to the mix could buy him some much-needed time to figure out his next play.

Lincoln Riley’s potential DB

While the O-line struggles are getting all the headlines, USC’s secondary isn’t exactly thriving either. Ranked 89th in pass defense, the Trojans defense has a special ability to make opposing QB look like a Heisman finalist. To tighten up that leaky secondary, Lincoln Riley & USC has set its sights on Georgia State’s Jeremiah Johnson.

Jeremiah is no rookie to the grind. Starting his career at Mississippi Delta Community College, he later balled out at Georgia State, racking up 164 tackles, 2 picks, and enough versatility to make any coach smile. “ This is a kid with experience, and that’s exactly what you want,” USCJ said on his podcast. And he’s ain’t wrong. Whether it’s safety, corner, or nickel, Johnson’s got that Swiss Army knife vibe.

Even better, Jeremiah’s got accolades to back up the hype: All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention, Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, and preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team. That’s not just talent; that’s leadership and work ethic—a combo USC desperately needs as they rebuild their secondary. And with a safety Zion Branch entering the portal. Jeremiah’s experience and playmaking could give the Trojans some much-needed depth. Jeremiah can move around the block. He played CB at Georgia State before moving to Safety.

Look, let’s be real for a second. Ain’t gonna cap, snagging Johnson won’t instantly fix USC’s pass-defense woes. But it’s a start. If the Trojans can pair his skill set with some fresh schemes, it could be just the spark they need to turn things around. And hey, with the transfer portal closing tomorrow, Riley had better move fast because right now, the only thing moving quickly is USC’s relevance slipping away. As Lincoln Riley fights to reclaim his rep, the pressure’s on to land these key transfers. Will Zy Crisler and Jeremiah Johnson be the missing pieces or just Band-Aids on a program bleeding talent? Only time—and Riley’s next play—will tell.