USC Trojans Star Freshman Already Turning Heads in Practice

Elbert Hill Catches Interception in the Coliseum

The Trojans held practice inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday with some family and recruits in attendance. While it might have been one of Hill's first big plays in the Coliseum on a Saturday, ideally it's the first of many.

Hill arrived on campus as a key part of USC's 2026 recruiting class, one that ranked No. 1 in the country. Per 247Sports' Composite Rankings, Hill was a four-star recruit ranked No. 53 overall and No. 6 among cornerbacks in 2026. In the Trojans' class, Hill is the seventh-highest rated recruit stepping onto campus.

Coming out of Ohio, the Ohio State Buckeyes also recruited Hill before he eventually landed with USC.

USC Trojans' Secondary Depth

Seeing Hill already making plays in practice is a good sign of his potential to contribute early in a crowded Trojans secondary. Luckily for USC, the cream should rise to the top, and the program can expect to enter the season with some valuable depth at defensive back.

Even if Hill does not take over a starting spot, he figures to be part of the rotation while he continues to develop.

Hill was the highest-rated defensive back that USC signed in its 2026 class, but the Trojans have some other talented freshmen on the roster in addition to Hill. Four-star safety Peyton Dyer and four-star cornerback Brandon Lockhart

Meanwhile, the team acquired two defensive backs in the transfer portal in Jontez Williams and Carrington Pierce. Other defensive backs like safety Christian Pierce, cornerback Marcelles Williams, cornerback Alex Graham, and safety Kennedy Urlacher have all taken strides during there time in Southern California.

Pierce finished with the third-most tackles on the team (64 total) behind linebackers Desman Stephens II and Eric Gentry, and Williams was tied for the sixth-most total tackles with 41 in 2025. Pierce also added one interception and one fumble recovery, and the two combined for seven passes deflected.

If the Trojans coaches trust Hill at cornerback, it could be because of his game-changing ability, highlighted in the short clip posted by the Trojans.

USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald led the team with five interceptions during the 2025 season, and the Trojans defense totaled 12 interceptions as a unit, tied for No. 42 in the nation. The team recovered six fumbles, tied for No. 70 overall.

While depth charts may be reset before every season, USC defensive coordinator Gary Patterson and the overhauled defensive coaching staff will be evaluating the roster as they continue to get to know each player's strengths, skills, and areas of growth.

If Hill can prove himself as a ballhawk defender, he may be hard to keep off of the field.