USC Trojans' Plan to Mask Kilian O’Connor Injury Comes Into Focus

USC coach Lincoln Riley announced late last week that projected starting center Kilian O’Connor suffered an injury that will cost him the entire 2026 season.

The Trojans lose a veteran offensive lineman and a beloved member of the program, who had begun his career as a walk-on. However, USC does have a plan in place.

Replacement Center Options After Kilian O’Connor Injury

USC Trojans Recruiting Class Injury Fall Camp Kilian O'Connor Elijah Paige Hayden Treter Zach Hanson Tobias Raymond Big Ten — Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley embraces offensive lineman Kilian O'Connor (67) after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

On paper, the Trojans were set to return all five starters on the offensive line but there was always a door for them to shake things up, even before O’Connors injury.

“Obviously it’s horrible to see Kilian go down but I’m very grateful we have the depth we have and very grateful for coach [Zach] Hanson and him training us all at different spots,” said offensive tackle Elijah Paige.

Raymond started all 13 games last season at guard and left tackle, when Paige was out of lineup. The plan for him in 2026 was to keep him in the interior as he saw extended reps at center in the spring, while O’Connor was still recovering from a season-ending knee injury he suffered in late November. Raymond continued to work guard and center at the start of fall camp. However, the move to center almost certainly becomes a permanent one now.

Before Kaylon Miller started the final three games at guard in 2025, he was taking practice reps at center when O’Connor suffered his first significant knee injury. Miller remains a viable option this season. Redshirt freshman Willie Wascher and freshman Kannon Smith, who had a very good spring, add depth.

“If you’re a guard, you’re snapping. If you’re a center, you’re playing guard,” Paige said. “Getting guys used to playing with different people. Obviously, we played with Kilian last year, but we’ve got guys that will step up. We’ve got multiple guys that can do it.”

Hanson has put an emphasis on creating position flexibility since he moved from tight end to offensive line coach last season. It paid dividends down the stretch as the Trojans dealt with several injuries upfront. Hanson spoke about the value of a player having position flexibility during the teams Media Day.

“It's gonna get you on the field faster here, but it's gonna help you in the long run too,” Hanson said. "If the NFL is a dream, you're traveling seven or maybe eight linemen. So, if you're a guy that can play two or three spots, you're gonna be a premium for those teams if you're not the number one draft pick. Longevity in college football, your career, how much you get to play here, longevity in the NFL.”

Offensive Line Shakeup This Fall

Hayden Treter missed his entire freshman year in 2024 while rehabbing from an injury. He began last year playing tackle but then moved to guard and made his first start in the Alamo Bowl.

In his third year with the program, Treter has essentially followed the same progression as Raymond, who became a full-time starter as a redshirt sophomore. Treter is trending toward doing just that.

Senior Alani Noa has started the last two seasons at guard but is battling to hold onto his position. Freshman Breck Kolojay arrived with a college ready frame and a mean streak that embodies an old school Big Ten offensive lineman.

Paige has started at left tackle each of the past two seasons. Justin Tauanuu started 12 games at right tackle and one at left tackle as a redshirt freshman last season. He is being pushed heavily by redshirt freshman Elijah Vaikona and five-star freshman Keenyi Pepe, the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2026 class according to 247Sports. And a move to guard isn’t out of the question for Tauanuu.

No matter the lineup the mindset and expectations have not changed. Hanson has been emphatic since winter meetings about building a bully on the offensive line.

“I think we made some really good progress,” Hanson said. “I think we're continuing to grow every single day. That's never going to stop. It's always, we're striving to be better every single day, right? We talk a lot about the one-to-one mindset in our room and attacking every single thing that we do, not just the day, but that drill, that meeting, that walkthrough, that rep, and just playing in a dominant way. That's what we have to do this year if you want to be successful.”

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