In the world of USC football, several players have made their marks and faced various challenges over the past few years. From quarterbacks to offensive linemen, each player's journey has been unique. Let's take a closer look at the careers of Jake Jensen, Denis Lynch, Gino Quinones, and Amos Talalele.

QB Jake Jensen

Jake Jensen joined the USC program in 2022 as a JUCO recruit, having bounced back from BYU. He served as a depth piece behind starters Caleb Williams and Miller Moss. Throughout his entire career, he only had two snaps - in the 2023 Holiday Bowl and the 2024 regular season finale against Notre Dame, both of which were runs. In 2024, his PFF grade was 60.0 overall and 59.9 rushing. This move makes perfect sense as he had been sitting at the No. 3 quarterback for three years. It was natural for him to seek more playing time elsewhere. This decision guarantees that the Trojans will need to look for another QB in the portal to fill out the 2025 QB room. With just one scholarship QB in Jayden Maiava for the bowl, it's a tough spot for the team.The fact that Jensen had limited playing time shows the depth and competition within the USC quarterback position. His journey from a JUCO recruit to a backup quarterback highlights the challenges and opportunities in college football. It also raises questions about the team's quarterback situation moving forward and the need for a reliable backup.

PK Denis Lynch

Denis Lynch joined the USC program as a walk-on out of Newbury Park High School. He was a soccer player who displayed a strong leg at a high school football kicking tryout. Lynch sat out his first season but emerged as the surprise winner of the kicking job in 2022, beating out the favorite and veteran Alex Stadhaus. He was solid, going 15-of-22 and a perfect 74-of-74 on extra points. However, in his second season as a starter in 2023, he took a step back, going 10-of-14 and being more inconsistent on short-range kicks. In 2024, he lost his job to transfer Michael Lantz and did not attempt a field goal. He leaves USC with a career long field goal of 53 yards.Lynch's career at USC was marked by both success and setbacks. His ability to win the kicking job in 2022 was a testament to his skills, but his inconsistency in 2023 raised concerns. With his departure, USC will need to find a new starting kicker for 2025. As a walk-on kicker, Lynch's impact on the team was significant, but his departure also leaves a void that needs to be filled.

Gino Quinones

Gino Quinones played defensive line in high school but was projected as an offensive lineman by the USC coaches and became an offensive guard and center prospect. He took time to develop, with limited snaps in his first three seasons, including one year lost to a wrist injury. His best season came in 2023 when he played in 14 games and started twice at guard. However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game. He worked hard to make a comeback in 2024 but was not fully healthy enough to compete in fall camp for the right guard spot. He provided guard and center depth this year until it was announced that he was done for the year. His USC career ends with three career starts.Quinones' injury history was a concern as the Trojans look to build a new generation of linemen. His potential as a starter if fully healthy was significant, but his injuries limited his playing time. His story shows the challenges faced by offensive linemen in college football and the importance of staying healthy to make an impact.

Amos Talalele

The 2024 season was expected to be a breakout year for 6-foot-4, 340-pound Amos Talalele. He redshirted his first season and played just two special teams snaps in USC's 2023 Holiday Bowl win. He was in a tight competition with Alani Noa for the starting right guard job throughout spring and fall but lost out in the end, also dealing with an injury in camp. He ended up getting some rotational snaps at right guard early in the season and played on special teams, with 102 snaps in total, 88 on offense.Talalele's recruitment by offensive line coach Josh Henson showed the team's confidence in him. However, his lack of a starting role this season was a disappointment. His ability to play multiple positions and learn different positions shows his versatility but also highlights the competition within the offensive line. His future at USC will depend on his ability to continue to develop and compete for a starting job.