The countdown to USC’s 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 61 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at one of the most unique—and inspirational—Trojans of all time: former USC long snapper Jake Olson.
Position: Long snapper
Years played at USC: 2015-2018
Career highlights: All of the other players on this list have one thing in common: they can see. Jake Olson cannot. As a kid, he had to have surgery to cure a rare for of eye cancer, causing him to lose his sight.
Olson grew up a massive USC fan. When then-Trojans head coach Pete Carroll learned about Olson’a story, he invited him to be a part of the football program. Olson famously fired up the team before a 2009 victory over rival Notre Dame in South Bend.
When Olson arrived at USC as a student in 2015, he walked onto the football team. On September 2, 2017, Olson became the first blind person to appear in a Division I college football game when he executed the snap on an extra point against Western Michigan.
After USC: During his time at USC, Olson founded Engage, a talent booking platform. In addition to running the site, he also serves as a motivational speaker, and is an avid golfer. Olson currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife Audrey and son Rowan.
