Performance of USC Freshmen has Impacted the Trojans Season

The No. 18 USC Trojans (7-2) brought in the No. 1 recruiting class for the 2026 cycle.

Many of those freshmen have earned significant playing time for the Trojans, while others became starters.

Talented freshman receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt became a starter.

Players like Ethan “Boobie” Feaster, along with running backs Shahn Alston and Deshonne Redeaux, to name a few, are listed near the top of depth chart as key contributors.

According to Joel Klatt on Thursday’s episode of Joel Klatt Show, as posted on X by USC on BTN, three of USC’s best players need to be at the top of their game if they are to beat No. 9 Indiana (8-1) Saturday.

“Their best players happen to be freshmen, and these three are the best freshmen in the country,” said Klatt.

That trio of talent (as starters) Klatt was referring to is receiver Trent Mosley, tight end Mark Bowman, and defensive end Luke Wafle.

Mosley leads the Trojans in receiving with 512 yards and six touchdowns on 32 catches.

He has averaged 16 yards per reception through six games played. Mosley missed three games with an injury.

Against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Mosley caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, and averaged 20 yards per catch against the Buckeyes defense in a 30-18 victory.

Bowman has caught 24 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns, which is fourth on the team.

With his athleticism, hurdling would-be tacklers in a single bound, Bowman could do some damage against the Hoosiers.

Both Mosley and Bowman will face an Indiana pass defense that has allowed 183 passing yards per game. They have allowed just six touchdown passes, and intercepted seven passes on the season.

In their win over Minnesota, the Hoosiers secondary allowed just 120 yards passing and a touchdown. Further, the Golden Gophers completed just 54 percent of their passes.

USC Quarterback Jayden Maiava, along with Mosley and Bowman, will need to be surgical in their passing game if they are to leave Bloomington with a victory.

On the defensive side of the ball, Wafle has distinguished himself all season. Wafle leads the Trojans in sacks (3) and tackles for loss (8.5), and is fourth on the team in tackles with 36.

Wafle’s performance has earned him Big Ten Player Freshmen of the Week honors, as well as recognition from ESPN and one of the top freshmen in the country.

Further, Wafle, along with Mosley, is a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club.

Against Indiana, Wafle will have to play like he did in the White Out game on the road at Penn State. In that game, Wafle recorded five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.

Wafle could find the path to the quarterback difficult to navigate as the Hoosiers do not allow many sacks. Indiana has allowed 13 all season, and total of four in the last three games.

It is all hands on deck for USC on the road against Indiana. A significant amount of those hands will be that of talented freshmen who have led the Trojans to the brink of a playoff berth.