USC Trojans Center Kilian O'Connor Talks Journey as a Former Walk-On, Lincoln Riley, & 2026 Season

<p>College Football&#39;s fastest-rising analyst William Patteson is joined by USC Football Center Kilian O’Connor as TPF’s “Summer Interview Series” rolls on. Patteson starts off with a curveball, no pun intended, and then details the beginning of O’Connor’s success story starting at the high school level. O’Connor’s journey from a walk-on to one of the lead members of the USC Trojans offense heading into the 2026 season wasn’t given, and the Trojans’ lineman details how he even got to Southern California in the first place. The duo then pivots through O’Connor’s journey as a reserve offensive lineman, and how he stayed ready for his moment in the 2024 Holiday Bowl. O’Connor recalls how he felt like he was still underlooked heading into the 2025 offseason, but a scholarship was soon to follow. Patteson shows the video of USC head coach Lincoln Riley awarding O’Connor with a scholarship in practice, and O’Connor described what that moment felt like. The 2025 Big Ten All-Academic team member also goes in-depth on how he balances being a model student in the classroom and playing one of the most important position in Riley’s offense. As things wind down, Patteson and O’Connor discuss life outside of football and what is to expect for the 2026 season.</p><p><br></p><p>Follow The PatteFacts: A College Football Show wherever you get your content!</p><p><br></p><p>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepattefacts</p><p>X/Twitter: https://x.com/ThePatteFacts </p><p>Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19It1auDbpFA0QwcphDZfd?si=6e532676279644e1 </p><p>Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pattefacts-a-college-football-show/id1630719589">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pattefacts-a-college-football-show/id1630719589</a></p>