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By Jordan Sigler
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The USC Trojans are facing some injury adversity early in training camp as a projected starter was ruled out for the season with a leg injury.
Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley is facing pressure to make the College Football Playoff for the first time with the program in his fifth year as the head coach. USC finished with a 9-4 record last season with quarterback Jayden Maiava, and the offense is expected to take a leap in 2026.
Maiava and the Trojans were thrown a curveball for the quarterback-center exchange when starting center Kilian O'Connor suffered a broken leg on Wednesday. Riley revealed on Thursday that O'Connor would miss the entire 2026 campaign.
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"BREAKING: USC Center KILLIAN O’Connor Out for the 2026 Season After Sustaining Broken Leg Wednesday," Scott Schrader of On3 posted on X.
O'Connor joined USC as a walk-on in 2022. He started in one game for the Trojans in 2024 and made seven starts in 2025. He dealt with a knee injury during the 2025 season and missed several games.
O'Connor was proud to earn the starting job after fighting his way up the depth chart in 2025.
"Just because you start as a walk-on, doesn't mean you have to finish there," O'Connor said, via the Los Angeles Times. "It's a seat at the table, at the end of the day. I'm forever grateful for that seat. Now it's time to eat."
The Trojans will have another battle in training camp to find their starter at center before they host San Jose State on Aug. 29. Willi Wascher and freshman Kannon Smith were behind O'Connor on the depth chart. Earlier in the offseason, Riley suggested interior offensive lineman Tobias Raymond could be moved to center.
O'Connor's injury is a significant blow to USC's offensive line, expected to be one of the best units in the country this season.
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