2021 USC Trojans football team

The 2021 USC Trojans football team represents the University of Southern California in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They play their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and compete as members of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference. They were led by sixth-year head coach Clay Helton in the first two games; Helton was fired on September 13 following the team's 28–42 loss to Stanford. Associate head coach Donte Williams took over as the team's interim head coach.

The Trojans finished the 2021 season at 4–8. It was their worst record since 1991, when they went 3–8.

Transfers
The Trojans lost nine players via transfer.

The Trojans add nine players and one walk-on player via transfer.

Returning Starters
USC returns 26 starters in 2021 including 11 on offense, 12 on defense, and 3 on special teams.

Key departures include Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – 6 games), Tyler Vaughns (WR – 5 games), Alijah Vera-Tucker (OL – 6 games), Marlon Tuipulotu (DT – 6 games), Olaijah Griffin (CB – 5 games), and Talanoa Hufanga (S – 6 games).

2021 NFL draft
The official list of participants for the 2021 Senior Bowl included USC football player Marlon Tuipulotu (DT).

The official list of participants for the 2021 NFL Combine included USC football players to be announced soon.

Depth chart

 * Depth Chart after Week 9 vs. Arizona Wildcats

True Freshman

Scholarship distribution chart
/ redshirt year eligible / * Former Walk-on

– 85 scholarships permitted, 95 currently allotted to players via extra Seniors.

– 95 recruited players on scholarship

Scholarship Distribution 2021

Regular season
Conference opponents not played this season: Oregon, Washington

Statistics
USC vs Opponents

USC vs Pac-12 opponents

Defense
Key: POS: Position, SOLO: Solo Tackles, AST: Assisted Tackles, TOT: Total Tackles, TFL: Tackles-for-loss, SACK: Quarterback Sacks, INT: Interceptions, BU: Passes Broken Up, PD: Passes Defended, QBH: Quarterback Hits, FR: Fumbles Recovered, FF: Forced Fumbles, BLK: Kicks or Punts Blocked, SAF: Safeties, TD : Touchdown

NFL draft
The NFL Draft will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada on April 28–30, 2022. Trojans who attended the 2022 NFL Draft:

CFL Global Draft
The 2022 CFL Global Draft will be held in Toronto on May 3, 2022. Trojans who attended the 2022 CFL Global Draft:

NFL Draft combine
Five members of the 2021 team were invited to participate in drills at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. † Top performer DNP = Did not participate

NFL Pro Day
Sixteen members of the 2021 team were invited to participate in drills at the NFL Pro Day 2022. † Top performer DNP = Did not participate