This past offseason, USC signed a smaller transfer portal class than the prior few years. One notable name that the Trojans did add, however, was former Michigan State defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren.
It has not taken VanSumeren long to make an impression on his new head coach. In his first “Trojans Live” appearance of the season Monday evening, Lincoln Riley shared high praise for the defensive lineman.
“There's a seriousness and an intensity about this guy that honestly meshes good with some of the other big personalities that we have in the defensive line room,” Riley said. “He leads that group and it's been very healthy.”
VanSumeren represented the Trojans at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago last month. It certainly seems as though he will be
a leader on USC’s defensive line this fall.
The Trojans will open their 2026 season on Saturday at the Coliseum against San Jose State.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Lincoln Riley shares high praise for defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren
