USC Trojans lose starting center Kilian O'Connor to season‑ending injury

USC senior center Kilian O'Connor will miss the entire upcoming season after sustaining a non‑contact "freak" injury that required surgery. Head coach Lincoln Riley announced the setback Thursday at the university's new $225 million Bloom Football Performance Center, describing the loss as an emotional blow for the team.

O'Connor, a redshirt junior who started seven games last season and was on the Rimington Trophy watch list, had been expected to anchor the Trojans' offensive line again. His absence forces the Trojans to reshuffle the line, with guard Tobias Raymond likely to take over at center and other backups stepping into larger roles.

The injury comes three weeks before USC's season opener, testing the depth of a line that coach Riley says is the deepest of his tenure.