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USC players, position groups earn midseason honors

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney10/16/25ErikTMcKinney
USC offensive linemen Alani Noa and Justin Tauanuu block for running back Waymond Jordan
USC offensive linemen Alani Noa and Justin Tauanuu block for running back Waymond Jordan (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

At the halfway point of the 2025 college football season, several USC Trojans and one important position group were recognized this week for their play over the first six games.

Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll

The USC offensive line was one of 24 programs named to the Joe Moore Award midseason honor roll. The Joe Moore Award has been giving annually since 2015 to the nation’s best offensive line.

The 24 groups named to the honor roll include: Air Force, Army, Alabama, Cincinnati, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Iowa, Memphis, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Navy, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Tulane, USC, Utah, Vanderbilt and Washington.

USC was a semifinalist for the award in 2022 and the Trojans have put themselves in the mix for it again this year despite injury issues and many different starting lineups.

The Trojans don’t have presumed starting left guard DJ Wingfield available after he was not granted an extra year of eligibility. Starting left tackle Elijah Paige has missed the past two games due to injury and starting center Kilian O’Connor missed the last game and will miss at least the next one with a knee injury. Tobias Raymond has started games at left tackle, left guard and right tackle, showcasing his versatility and some of the depth along the line.

Through it all, the USC offensive line starters have allowed just three sacks in six games and are leading the way for an offense that ranks No. 2 nationally in total offense, No. 2 in passing offense and No. 16 in rushing offense. The Trojans have already scored 19 rushing touchdowns this season after scoring just 20 all last year.

Midseason All-Americans

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon has put himself in the discussion of the best wide receiver in college football this season and a likely first-round pick in the next NFL Draft. That discussion turned into achievement this week with Lemon named to a Midseason All-American First Team by the Sporting News, CBS, The Athletic and Sports Illustrated. He ranks second in the country with 113.7 receiving yards per game and leads the Big Ten with 7.3 receptions per game.

Safety Bishop Fitzgerald landed on the Sports Illustrated midseason First-Team and The Athletic midseason Second-Team. He is tied for the lead nationally with five interceptions. Fitzgerald took one back for a touchdown and three have come inside USC’s defensive red zone.

Running back Waymond Jordan won’t be able to add to his season totals for several weeks as he’s sidelined with an ankle injury, but the juco transfer back was named to the Sports Illustrated midseason Second-Team. He has 576 rushing yards and five touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry this season.

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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