The USC Trojans will enter their Alamo Bowl matchup against the TCU Horned Frogs short-handed at wide receiver, but head coach Lincoln Riley believes his team still has the pieces to compete. USC finished the regular season with a 9–3 overall record (7–2 in conference play), highlighted by ranked wins over Michigan and Iowa.
USC will be without star wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon, both of whom announced their decision to enter the 2026 NFL Draft and will opt out of the bowl game. The loss of the duo leaves a significant gap in the Trojans’ offense, as they accounted for more than half of USC’s total receiving production this season.
Despite those setbacks, the Trojans will lean on a combination of young talent and veteran depth to step up on a big stage.
What USC Will Be Missing in the Alamo Bowl
The absence of Lane and Lemon removes two of the most productive playmakers in the Big Ten this season:
Ja’Kobi Lane: 49 receptions, 745 yards, 4 touchdowns
Makai Lemon: 79 receptions, 1,156 yards, 11 touchdowns
Replacing that level of production will be a challenge, but the Alamo Bowl presents an opportunity for new faces to emerge and make an impact as USC looks to close its season on a strong note.
Tanook Hines Ready for the Spotlight
Freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines is expected to take on a much larger role against TCU. Hines earned the No. 3 receiver spot early in the season, beating out several veterans despite being a true freshman.
During the regular season, Hines recorded 28 catches for 398 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a breakout performance against Oregon where he finished with 141 yards and a score. With Lane and Lemon out and starting tight end Lake McRee also opting out, this gives Hines his opportunity to be USC’s top passing option in the Alamo Bowl. He can also claim the number 1 wide receiver role for next season if his product stands out.
Young Receivers Get Their Chance
True freshmen Corey Simms and Romero Ison could also see increased snaps. While neither played a major role this season, Simms appeared in 11 games and caught one pass for six yards. The bowl game now presents an opportunity for both players to show their potential.
USC has seen this story before. In the 2023 Holiday Bowl, then-freshmen Lane and Lemon stepped up due to opt-outs and played key roles in a win over Louisville. Simms and Ison could now be in a similar position, using the bowl game as a springboard for future playing time.
Lincoln Riley has previously said bowl performances can influence offseason decisions, including how aggressively USC attacks the transfer portal.
Veteran Leadership Matters
Veteran wide receiver Jaden Richardson will also be counted on to steady a young receiver room. Richardson appeared in every game this season, finishing with 10 catches for 117 yards while making the most of limited opportunities.
Against a TCU defense that allows 242 passing yards per game, Richardson’s experience could be valuable as USC looks to balance youth with reliability.
While the Trojans may be missing star power, the Alamo Bowl offers a chance for USC’s “secret weapons” to step into the spotlight and shape the future of the program.
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