Madden Riordan brings ball-hawking instincts and nickel-safety upside to USC
Riordan is a high-floor, high-IQ defensive back whose calling card is takeaways: he was described by USC-linked and recruiting coverage as a cerebral, instinctive playmaker with elite ball skills, including a junior season featuring double-digit interceptions and All-Mission League MVP honors. In the 2025 recruiting cycle, he was viewed as a 3-star prospect and a top-40-ish defensive back/athlete by major outlets, with projections pointing to a nickel-safety role in USC’s defense. If you want a smart, competitive defender who finds the football, he fits.
