LA Times · Aug 27, 2025
Kilian O’Connor is named USC’s starting center for first game
USC offensive linemen Amos Talalele, left, Alani Noa and Kilian O’Connor warm up before a game last season.When he arrived as a walk-on center in the fall of 2022, Kilian O’Connor came in with every intention of fighting for a spot on USC’s offensive line.
For the O’Connor family, there was a certain pride in being a walk-on. His father and grandfather were walk-ons. It didn’t matter that he was buried on the depth chart, or that the odds were stacked against him. It was his duty to stay ready.
“I came here to be a player,” O’Connor said. “I didn’t come here just to be a bag holder.”
Now this season, he’ll play a much more essential role for the Trojans as their newly minted starting center.