Over the last few years, freshmen have been making a bigger impact than ever before in college football. Jeremiah Smith and Malachi Toney were viewed by many as the best players in college football in their freshman seasons. The USC Trojans did not get that kind of dominance from freshman Jahkeem Stewart, but he still made a big impact, as well as wide receiver Tanook Hines, who looked every bit of the next great USC receiver versus TCU in the bowl game. The Trojans‘ upcoming class this season could produce even more impact.
The defensive line for USC has been an issue in recent seasons. The Trojans at one point led the country in sacks, but still, at times, this was a unit that got physically dominated. Jahkeem Stewart was great as a freshman, and helped improve the defensive line as he totaled 18 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a big-time interception that changed the momentum vs Iowa.
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Incoming 5-star freshman Luke Wafle, and Jaimeon Winfield have a shot to make a huge impact from the get-go at USC. Luke Wafle, is coming off a record setting senior season where he had 23 sacks, 100 tackles, and 37 tackles for a loss. He is the top recruit in the class and the number 1 edge prospect. He was the MVP of the 2026 Navy All-American Bowl.
He has a game-wrecking ability, and he provides something USC has been looking to find. It is rare to stumble on a freshman who already has the size, as Wafle stands at 6 feet 5, 255 lbs. Gary Patterson, a proven defensive-minded coach, will have a lot of fun with a young star off the edge like Wafle. There are a lot of talented offenses in the Big Ten and across the country, but when you have a game wrecker on the edge, it makes things so much easier. USC should be really excited about this young man.
The other 5-star recruit the Trojans got coming in is Jaimeon Winfield. Winfield is the number 11 recruit in the nation according to Rivals. He is also a big-time disruptor, as he is coming off a 6 sack, 22 tackles for loss senior season. Winfield stands at 6 feet 3 and 320 pounds. The Trojans added some size last offseason but seem to be trying to double down on that with even more size coming in on the defensive side of the trenches. Winfield’s measurables lead many to believe he is just a big run-stuffer, but his speed and elite first step make him a nightmare for offensive lines.
The Trojans struck gold with acquiring talent on the defensive line, and Luke Wafle and Jaimeon Winfield will take this defensive line to a whole other level this upcoming season. With the Trojans’ schedule in 2026, they will need to be dominant in the trenches, and the Trojans very well can be because of these two incoming freshmen.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football struck gold with freshmen on 2026 defensive line
