2022 USC Trojans football team

The 2022 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California as a member of the Pac-12 Conference during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Lincoln Riley, the Trojans played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. They finished the season 11–3, 8–1 in Pac-12 play to earn a trip to the Pac-12 championship game. Ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff, they lost to Utah in the conference championship game eliminating them from national championship consideration. They received a bid to the Cotton Bowl Classic where they lost to No. 16-ranked Tulane. Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams was awarded the Heisman Trophy for his performances during the season.

Transfers out
The Trojans lost 27 players via transfer.

Transfers in
The Trojans added 23 players via transfer.

Returning starters
Key departures include : Vavae Malepeai (TB – 12 games, 5 started). Keaontay Ingram (TB – 10 games, 7 started). Drake London (WR – 8 games, 8 started). Erik Krommenhoek (TE – 12 games, 10 started). Jalen McKenzie (OT – 12 games, 6 started). Liam Jimmons (OG – 12 games, 12 started). Kana'i Mauga (LB – 12 games, 12 started). Drake Jackson (OLB – 11 games, 9 started). Chris Steele (CB – 11 games, 11 started). Isaac Taylor-Stuart (CB – 11 games, 10 started). Isaiah Pola-Mao (S – 11 games, 9 started). Greg Johnson (S – 10 games, 9 started). Ben Griffiths (P – 12 games, 12 started). Parker Lewis (K – 10 games, 10 started). Damon Johnson (LS – 12 games, 12 started).

Other departures include : Kedon Slovis (QB – 9 games, 9 started). Jaxson Dart (QB – 6 games, 3 started). KD Nixon (WR – 10 games). Michael Trigg (TE – 6 games, 4 started). Jacob Lichtenstein (DL – 12 games, 8 started). Hunter Echols (OLB – 11 games, 3 started). Raymond Scott (LB – 11 games, 3 started). Chase Williams (S – 12 games, 9 started).

Offense

Defense

Special teams

† Indicates player was a starter in 2021 but missed all of 2022 due to injury.

Recruiting class
The Trojans signed a total of yet scholarship recruits and walk-ons during national signing period.

Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released

Pac-12 Media Day
The Pac-12 Media Day was held on July 29, 2022 in Hollywood, California with Lincoln Riley (HC), Caleb Williams (QB) and Shane Lee (LB) representing USC.

Preseason All-Pac-12 teams
First team

Second team

All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention

Schedule
Conference opponents not played this season: Oregon, Washington

Depth chart
True Freshman official Depth Chart Week 1 vs Rice (09/01/22)

Scholarship distribution chart
/ redshirt year eligible / * Former Walk-on – 80 players on scholarship / 85 scholarships permitted
 * Scholarship Distribution 2022

vs No. 11 Utah (Pac-12 Championship Game)
With the loss, USC was knocked out of playoff contention, letting Ohio State taking over the #4 seed.

vs No. 16 Tulane (Cotton Bowl)
USC seemed to be in control for most of the contest, but in a shocking turn of events, Tulane scored 16 points in the final four and a half minutes of regulation to snatch the victory from the Trojans. With 4:30 remaining in the game and a 15-point lead, USC's win probability stood at 99.8%.

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 Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO on April 27–29, 2023. Trojans who were picked in the 2023 NFL Draft:

NFL Draft combine
Two members of the 2022 team were invited to participate in drills at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. † Top performer DNP = Did not participate

USC Pro Day
† Top performer DNP = Did not participate