2018 USC Trojans football team

The 2018 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and competed as members of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Clay Helton.

Despite being ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll's preseason rankings, the Trojans finished the season 5–7, the program's first losing record since 2000. USC lost to both of its major rivals, UCLA and Notre Dame, in the same season for the first time since 2013, and it also lost to all other California Pac-12 schools (UCLA, California, and Stanford) in the same season for the first time since 1996. The team went 4–5 in Pac-12 play, tying Arizona for third place in the Pac-12 South Division.

On November 25, USC athletic director Lynn Swann announced that head coach Clay Helton would return in 2019 despite the disappointing season.

Previous season
The Trojans finished the 2017 season 11–3, 8–1 in Pac-12 play to be champions of the South Division. They represented the South Division in the Pac-12 Championship Game where they defeated Stanford to become Pac-12 Champions. They were invited to play in the Cotton Bowl where they lost 7-24 to Ohio State.

Returning starters
USC returns 31 starters in 2018, including 11 on offense, 13 on defense, and 5 on special teams.

Key departures include Sam Darnold (QB – 14 games), Ronald Jones II (TB – 13 games), Deontay Burnett (WR – 12 games), Steven Mitchell Jr. (WR – 7 games), Jalen Greene (WR – 5 games), Viane Talamaivao (OG – 5 games), Nico Falah (C – 14 games), Rasheem Green (DE/DT – 14 games), Josh Fatu (DT – 12 games), Uchenna Nwosu (OLB – 14 games), Jack Jones (CB – 13 games), Chris Hawkins (S – 14 games), Ykili Ross (S – 2 games).

Other departures include James Toland IV (TB), Matt Lopes (S).

Transfers
The Trojans lost 5 players due to transfer.

Depth chart

 * Depth Chart 2018

True Freshman

Double Position : *

Scholarship distribution chart
/ redshirt year eligible / * Former walk-on

- 85 scholarships permitted, 81 currently allotted to players

- 78 recruited players on scholarship (Three former walk-ons)

- OT Jalen McKenzie took an advanced scholarship or "blueshirt" limiting USC's class of 2018 to 24.

Projecting Scholarship Distribution 2018

NFL Combine
The official list of participants for the 2018 NFL Combine included USC football players WR Deontay Burnett, QB Sam Darnold, DE Rasheem Green, TB Ronald Jones II, WR Steven Mitchell Jr. & OLB Uchenna Nwosu.

Pac-12 Media Days
Pac-12 media days are set for July 25, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Clay Helton (Head coach), Porter Gustin (OLB) & Cameron Smith (ILB) at Pac-12 media days. The Pac-12 media poll was released with the Trojans predicted to win the Pac-12 South division title.

Major award semifinalists
Honors and Awards Source: 2018 Arizona Media Notes