Where USC stands with installing Lincoln Riley’s offense as spring practice winds down
New systems had to be installed while Riley assessed what remained of last year’s roster and the transfers his staff has brought in, but everyone sees clear progress
Not all springs are built equally, but the 2022 camp was vital for a USC program that underwent the offseason coaching change with Lincoln Riley taking the reins of the program. New systems had to be installed as Riley assessed what remained of last year’s roster and the transfers his staff has brought in.
So after four-plus weeks, where does the offense stand? Riley and others around the program answered following Tuesday’s practice.
Where the offense is now:
Riley: “I would say the base offense is installed. It is. We’ve come a long way in the last two weeks. We’ve really made up some ground. We’re to the point now where we look pretty functional most of the time. We understand what to do. We’re starting to understand some of the adjustments.”
Offensive coordinator Josh Henson: “We come out one day, maybe we drop a few balls. Next day, we don’t drop any. We come out one day and miss a couple blocks up front. Next day, we come back and we get those blocks. Same with the quarterbacks, we miss a couple throws, next day we’re hitting those throws. I’ve just seen constant improvement and execution from every single position. That’s what you really want; you want everybody rising together at the same time.”
What the players think:
Quarterback Caleb Williams: “We’re reinstalling the offense at this point. We already installed it once. … I’d say a lot more confidence and control over the offense when I’m on the field. Just working throughout the week during game week, learning the checks, learning the tendencies and big downs, key downs or anything like that. So just making sure we’re in the right place at the right time and being Coach Riley’s No. 2 on the field.”
Center Brett Neilon: “I think as the practices progressed, I think scheme-wise, it’s really clicking. I’d say a lot of people are not making the where-to-go errors but they’re just making the little technique errors. So that’s good to see, implementing a whole new offense, all new coaches, that’s one of the most important steps but now it’s just about fine-tuning technique, fine-tuning certain looks.”
Tight end Jude Wolfe: “It’s not completely different than the offense we had ran before this, but there’s little intricacies that are different and shaking old habits has definitely been the hardest thing so far.”
What still needs to be installed for the fall:
Riley: “We’ll see what the skillsets end up being across the board. We’ll start to try to morph it into making it as good for our skillsets as possible, and then we’ll get ready for fall camp.”
Henson: “I think we’re where we need to be for the end of spring football. We still have some work to do to be game-ready. And that work is just consistency, execution.”
Areas of need: USC has done a good job of fleshing out the roster on the offensive end. But a third scholarship quarterback behind Williams and Miller Moss would be prudent. So would some depth at running back, which is slated to have four scholarship players come the fall, and offensive line.
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