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Los Angeles – the city of stars, where everyone is eternally young, beautiful and famous – has proven to be an ideal breeding ground for first-year football phenomena.

Since 1973, when All-American linebacker Richard “Batman” Wood led the Trojans to their 13th Rose Bowl victory with a 12-0 record in his first full season, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has been home to many of college football’s best freshmen.

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In the decades that followed, USC boasted freshman talent such as All-American and Lombardi winner Brad Budde, Hall of Fame tackle Tony Boselli and Mike Williams – the favorite wide receiver of Heisman-winning quarterback Carson Palmer.

And last season, wide receiver and returner Zachariah Branch was the Trojans’ fourth-leading receiver, averaging 18.4 yards per kick return and 20.8 yards per punt return. Branch was USC’s first true freshman to be named a First Team All-American as a returner – an amazing feat considering the players it took to lead the Trojans to 11 league titles and eight Heisman awards.

After Branch’s breakout season, the Trojans’ 18th-ranked recruiting class is eager to secure a few starting spots to scare Big Ten defenses this season, and these are the freshest faces that could serve as playmakers this fall.

Kameryn Fountain – Defensive End – Freshman

With former USC rush end Solomon Byrd battling for a spot on the NFL roster in Houston, the Trojans are looking for someone to emulate his performance – and Fountain could be their man. He’s known for wreaking havoc on the defensive line and even forced a strip sack that led to a touchdown in the All-American Bowl. Fountain would join redshirt senior defensive end Jamil Muhammad and redshirt senior defensive tackle Nate Clifton, a transfer from Vanderbilt University, in putting pressure on opposing offenses.

Marcelles Williams – Cornerback – Freshman

During the offseason, head coach Lincoln Riley and new Trojans defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn looked to add depth to USC’s questionable secondary. Although he is one of five true freshman defensive backs, they may have signed a starter in Williams. In addition to the other freshmen, Williams will compete for snaps against UCLA transfer redshirt senior John Humphrey and former Mississippi State University redshirt senior DeCarlos Nicholson, in addition to returners redshirt senior Jacobe Covington, redshirt junior Prophet Brown and redshirt freshman Maliki Crawford.

The Williams family is known for elevating the Trojans’ performance. His brother Max played safety at USC for the past five seasons and his father Maxzell was a defensive back at the University of Nevada.

Sam Greene – Defensive Player – Redshirt Freshman

This is Greene’s second stint with the Trojans, but this time his accompanying defensive lineman represents a different defensive philosophy. Since the departure of former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, Riley and his staff have opted to recruit bigger and stronger linemen. At 6’1″, Greene may seem like an outsider, but he gained 20 pounds in the offseason and, most importantly, he’s fast – capable of playing any position on defense.

Jason Zandamela – Offensive Lineman – Freshman

It’s rare for offensive linemen to start their first season with a team, but at USC, that’s not unusual. Alani Noa made his debut with the Trojans as a true freshman in last fall’s season opener against San Jose State University. If Riley is brave enough to make the same roster move again, there’s no better option in college football than this guard from the Gulf Coast – the nation’s best interior line recruit.

Joey Olsen – Tight End – Freshman

In the Caleb Williams era, the Trojans offense was known for throwing countless bombs every game, but rarely had a tight end catch them. Redshirt junior tight end Lake McRee established himself as the Trojans’ best tight end until he tore his ACL before the Holiday Bowl. Despite this, McRee had barely rushed for more than 250 yards this season. With McRee working through the recovery and a new quarterback under center, young blood like Oregon’s No. 1 recruit has a chance to make a name for themselves at the tight end position.

Quinten Joyner – Running Back – Redshirt Freshman

USC lost its two best runners from last season — MarShawn Lloyd and Austin Jones — and is currently actively searching for an RB2 behind Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, who transferred from Mississippi State. Joyner should be well-positioned for that role. Last season, he ran for 125 yards on 18 carries, including a 47-yard touchdown against Nevada, while the Trojans’ other redshirt freshman running back, A’Marion Peterson, was limited to two touches.