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USC football suffered a significant setback during fall camp, with projected starting center Kilian O’Connor ruled out for the entire 2026 season after suffering a broken leg during Wednesday’s practice.
The redshirt senior sustained the non-contact injury just weeks before the Trojans begin another season of Big Ten competition.
O’Connor underwent surgery following the injury, leaving head coach Lincoln Riley without the veteran expected to anchor the middle of USC’s offensive line.
On3’s Scott Schrader reported the season-ending diagnosis Thursday on X, formerly Twitter, following confirmation from Riley.
“BREAKING: #USC Center KILLIAN O’Connor Out for the 2026 Season After Sustaining Broken Leg Wednesday! 🙏”
BREAKING: #USC Center KILLIAN O’Connor Out for the 2026 Season After Sustaining Broken Leg Wednesday! 🙏🏼https://t.co/bWbkFW2u70 via @On3USC pic.twitter.com/aM8cVShFWZ
— Scott Schrader (@SchraderOn3) August 6, 2026
The 23-year-old offensive lineman entered fall camp as USC’s returning starter at center after appearing in eight games with seven starts during the 2025 season despite dealing with injuries. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound lineman had made 23 career appearances, with all seven of his starts coming at center.
His absence forces an immediate adjustment along an offensive line preparing for another Big Ten schedule. The center plays a critical role in protection calls, communication, and snap execution, making the loss of an experienced starter particularly significant during the early stages of fall camp.
O’Connor’s path to the starting lineup has also been notable. The Ladera Ranch, California, native joined USC as a preferred walk-on in 2022, Riley’s first season with the program, before earning a scholarship ahead of the 2025 campaign and eventually securing the starting center job.
With the starting center sidelined for the entire upcoming season following his surgery, USC must now evaluate its remaining options at center as the Trojans continue preparations for the 2026 campaign.
USC football suffered a significant setback during fall camp, with projected starting center Kilian O’Connor ruled out for the entire 2026 season after suffering a broken leg during Wednesday’s practice. The redshirt senior sustained the non-contact injury just weeks before the Trojans begin another season of Big Ten competition.
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