Countdown to kickoff is back! USC will kick offits 2026 football seasonon August 29 when theTrojanshost San Jose State at the Coliseum. In this series, we will be counting down the days until the season opener by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number.With 29 days to go, today we look at former USC running back Vavae Malepeai.Position:Running backYears played at USC:2016-2021Career highlights:Although never the flashiest running back, Malepeai was Mr. Consistent for USC. After redshirting in 2016 and serving in a backup role in 2017, Malepeai was one of the Trojans two primary backs for each of the next four seasons. In 2018, 2019, and 2021, he finished with over 500 rushing yards and at least six touchdowns.Malepeai wore number 29 for his first five years at USC, before switching to number six for his final season in 2021.After USC: From 2023 through 2025, Malepeai served as an offensive quality control analyst at Stanford. In March, he was hired as the running backs coach at UC Davis.Contact/Follow@TrojansWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage ofUSC Trojansnews, notes and opinion.This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans RB Vavae Malepeai