USC Trojans and opponents on Phil Steele's Preseason All-Big Ten teams

Phil Steele’s 2025 preseason All-Big Ten teams are out and we’re looking at where several USC Trojans landed, as well as those players who will be lining up against Lincoln Riley’s program this fall. In another reminder that these Trojans are going to have to earn any national respect and attention they get this season, just nine USC players were named to any of the four teams and a third of those came on special teams.

Quarterback

USC player listed

None

USC opponent listed

Luke Altmyer (Illinois) – Second Team
Nico Iamaleava (UCLA) – Fourth Team

There seem to be a ton of questions at the quarterback position in the Big Ten this season, maybe outside of Drew Allar at Penn State. There’s a lot of offseason momentum for Altmyer at Illinois despite throwing for more than 250 yards just one last season (in an overtime game at home against Purdue) and completing more than 60% of his passes in just one of the final eight games of the season (60.6% against Minnesota).

Running back

USC player listed

None

USC opponent listed

Makhi Hughes (Oregon) – First Team
Justice Haynes (Michigan) – Third Team

Eight running backs are listed on the four teams and none are Trojans. Maybe a running-back-by-committee approach keeps some of the individual numbers down at USC, but there’s been plenty of buzz about what Waymond Jordan might do for the Trojans this fall.

Wide receiver

USC player listed

Makai Lemon – Second Team
Ja’Kobi Lane – Fourth Team

USC opponent listed

Evan Stewart (Oregon) – Second Team
Dane Key (Nebraska) – Third Team
Nick Marsh (Michigan State) – Fourth Team

Lane on the Fourth Team has a chance to look silly by the end of the season, but both of the USC receivers who deserved mention here got it.

Tight end

USC player listed

None

USC opponent listed

Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) – Second Team
Jack Velling (Michigan State) – Third Team

USC fans still remember what Penn State’s Tyler Warren did at the Coliseum last year and the Trojans will be up against a couple more good ones in 2025. USC has some talent of its own at the position and we’ll see if it shows up in a notable way this season.

Offensive line

USC player listed

None

USC opponent listed

Logan Jones (Iowa) – First Team
Gennings Dunker (Iowa) – First Team
Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon) – First Team
Isaiah World (Oregon) – First Team
Iapani Laloulu (Oregon) – Second Team
Beau Stephens (Iowa) – Second Team
Caleb Tiernan (Northwestern) – Second Team
Giovanni El-Hadi (Michigan) – Third Team
Henry Lutovsky (Nebraska) – Third Team
Alex Harkey (Oregon) – Third Team
Matthew Bedford (Oregon) – Fourth Team
JC Davis (Illinois) – Fourth Team

This is a significant portion of the narrative change that needs to happen with Lincoln Riley’s offense and program overall. Twenty offensive linemen are on the four teams and none are Trojans. Can’t happen.

Meanwhile, USC will travel to an Oregon team that has all five starters listed and will host an Iowa team that has three on the first two teams.

Defensive line

USC player listed

Keeshawn Silver – Fourth Team

USC opponent listed

Aaron Graves (Iowa) – First Team
Gabe Jacas (Illinois) – First Team
Matayo Uiagalelei (Oregon) – Second Team
Rayshaun Benny (Michigan) – Second Team
Ethan Hurkett (Iowa) – Third Team
Derrick Moore (Michigan) – Third Team

There’s plenty of potential among USC’s group but probably not enough production to really argue they should be listed here. The Trojans need more than just Silver on the fourth team when it comes to the postseason teams. The bet here is we’ll see that happen.

Linebacker

USC player listed

Eric Gentry – Fourth Team

USC opponent listed

Bryce Boettcher (Oregon) – First Team
Jaishawn Barham (Michigan) – First Team
Ernest Hausmann (Michigan) – Second Team
Dylan Rosiek (Illinois) – Third Team
Mac Uihlein (Northwestern) – Third Team
Marques Watson-Trent (Nebraska) – Third Team
Mani Powell (Purdue) – Fourth Team

We’ll see about Gentry as a fourth team selection. He’s as good as it gets nationally when it comes to per-snap production. If he’s on the field, he’s making plays.

Cornerback

USC player listed

DJ Harvey – Third Team

USC opponent listed

Xavier Scott (Illinois) – First Team
Theran Johnson (Oregon) – Second Team
Jyaire Hill (Michigan) – Fourth Team

Harvey brings a strong reputation following his productive 2024 season at San Jose State.

Safety

USC player listed

Kamari Ramsey – Third Team

USC opponent listed

Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) – First Team
Rod Moore (Michigan) – Third Team
Matthew Bailey (Illinois) – Fourth Team

There is some real talent among the safeties in the Big Ten. It’s tough to argue the first team selections of Thieneman and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. But Ramsey can play the position with anybody.

Specialists

USC player listed

Makai Lemon – Second Team kick returner
Caden Chittenden – Third Team kicker
Hank Pepper – Third Team long snapper

USC opponent listed

Dominic Zvada (Michigan) – First Team kicker
Ryan Eckley (Michigan State) – First Team punter
Kaden Wetjen (Iowa) – First Team kickoff returner and punt returner
Luke Basso (Oregon) – First Team long snapper
Drew Stevens (Iowa) – Second Team kicker
Rhys Dakin (Iowa) – Second Team punter
Hank Beatty (Illinois) – Second Team punt returner
Mateen Bhaghani (UCLA) – Fourth Team kicker
Keelan Crimmins (Illinois) – Fourth Team punter
Omari Kelly (Michigan State) – Fourth Team punt returner

Lemon showed he was a natural kickoff returner when he took over the spot midway through the 2024 season. Opponents will know what kind of weapon he is heading into this season. Chittenden probably hasn’t been talked about enough as a big offseason pickup for the Trojans. USC’s 66.7% mark on field goals last season tied for No. 108 nationally.