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Elijah Paige injury update: USC lineman out against Illinois

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney09/27/25ErikTMcKinney
USC offensive lineman Elijah Paige blocks a Wisconsin defender during a game between the Trojans and Badgers
USC offensive lineman Elijah Paige blocks a Wisconsin defender during a game between the Trojans and Badgers (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

* Note: USC left tackle Elijah Paige is not in pads and will not play against Illinois. The following story was written based on Paige being listed as “questionable” in the availability report.

The No. 21 USC Trojans (4-0, 2-0) could be without starting left tackle Elijah Paige when they take on the No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini (3-1, 0-1) on Saturday morning at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign. The 6-foot-7, 324-pound Paige is listed as “questionable” on the Big Ten Availability report released by the conference ahead of games.

Paige left the Trojans’ game against Michigan State last week early in the second quarter. The lineman looked to have suffered an injury while blocking on an extra point. Paige went to the locker room and later came out on the sideline in street clothes.

USC shuffled its lineup to account for Paige’s absence. Right tackle Justin Tauanuu flipped over to the left side to fill in for Paige. Left guard Tobias Raymond moved to right tackle. That’s the position Raymond seemed ticketed to play when USC signed likely left guard DJ Wingfield in the transfer portal. But Wingfield was not able to gain another year of eligibility and Raymond moved to left guard. Raymond’s move from guard to tackle against Michigan State brought Micah Banuelos off the bench and in at left guard.

That will likely be the starting lineup USC goes with against Illinois if Paige doesn’t play. Not having Paige available would make the tackle position very thin for the Trojans. Second year lineman Hayden Treter has taken some snaps there and true freshman Elijah Vaikona has gotten some backup reps at both right and left tackle. But having to play either against Illinois would become a focal point as they deal with standout Illini outside linebacker Gabe Jacas.

USC has a bye week next weekend, which would give Paige a week to recover before the Trojans play a big-time back-to-back in hosting No. 19 Michigan and then visiting No. 22 Notre Dame.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz