Game log · Week-by-week
2025 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 73-13vs Missouri State | 5 | 4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 5 tackles |
| Bowl | L 27-30@ TCU | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Total | 7 | 5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
#26
Elijah Newby
Sophomore linebacker for USC. 2025: 2 games with a box-score line.
6′3″ · 235 lb · Cheshire, CT · Cheshire Academy
Returning to USC for 2026
The numbers
7
tackles · 2025
2 games into 2025 so far -- Best game: 5 tackles, vs Missouri State
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
2 linebacker for USC. 2025: 2 games with a box-score line.
- Signed as a 4-star recruit to USC in 2024.
Elijah Newby
He has spent two seasons in the USC linebacker corps. One game to point at: 5 tackles against Missouri State — Week 1, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- seasons on the roster
- game log
His career
2024
- Signed with USC4-star out of Cheshire Academy
Career arc
HS
Recruit
★★★★
CFB
College
USC
NFL
NFL Draft
—
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2 seasons under Lincoln Riley — 16-10 over that span.
2024USC7-6HC: Lincoln Riley · Pass-leaning
2025USC9-4HC: Lincoln Riley · Balanced
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Concern: tackles (0th percentile).
Box-score production (6)
Percentiles are versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score production. There are no play-by-play efficiency bars here: CFBD's play-value model credits offensive players only, so no defensive EPA exists to rank.
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 3.5 TKL/g, 0.0 TFL/g, 0.0 SACK/g, 0.0 PD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Lincoln Riley
Pass share
46.0%
97 pass / 114 run
Plays / game
70.3
3 games
Team sack rate
2.0%
102 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning.
Awards
Player standing · 2025
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Career stats
Game log
How he plays
2026 Outlook
USC
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Linebacker · USC
Returning around him
- 3 USC players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -13 net (9 in / 22 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
USC · Last season: 9-4 (AP #16) · Talent rank #9 · 2026 recruiting class #1
Background
CAREER: Throughout his two-year career at USC, Newby has recorded 18 tackles while appearing in 18 games. 2026: Newby will compete for playing time at linebacker as a redshirt sophomore in 2026. 2025: Newby saw action in all 13 games, predominately on special teams, as a redshirt freshman in 2025...
The linebacker corps · USC
- #8Desman Stephens II86 tackles · 2025
- #17Deven Bryant62 tackles · 2025
- #15Jadyn Walker33 tackles · 2025
- #14Ta'Mere Robinson10 tackles · 2025
- #26Elijah Newby7 tackles · 2025
8 more on the roster · USC team page
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology