Dorian Singer working to build chemistry with Caleb Williams
The transfer wide receiver from Arizona says he has moved his locker next to the Trojans’ star quarterback, who was praising him even before they were teammates
GQLSHARE (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — The awe swelled in Caleb Williams’ voice in late July, a smile blossoming across the USC quarterback’s face as he spoke of the man who could become his next game-breaker.
As he told it at Pac-12 Media Day, from a question by the Arizona Daily Star’s Justin Spears, Williams was watching Arizona receiver Dorian Singer shred the Trojans during USC’s 45-37 victory over the Wildcats last season – 141 yards, three touchdowns – and leaned over to a coach on the sideline.
“I said, ‘After the season, are we going to go get him?’” Williams said at the media day podium.
They got him, as Singer transferred to USC in the offseason. And mark the date down: Williams’ effusive praise at media day – when he said Singer had made “maybe the best catch I’d ever seen” – furthered a blooming bond between the junior signal-caller and 6-foot outside dynamo.
Recently, Singer said on Wednesday, he’d moved his locker next to the one occupied by Williams.
Why? Didn’t know, he grinned. Just “felt like it.”
“Me getting to know him better as a person, it’s really good,” Singer continued, “because it’s like, he trusts me with (his) life, and I trust him with mine as well.”
Such production would be a mind-blowing sight in the Trojans’ offense. Singer racked up 1,105 yards on 66 catches with six touchdowns last season, an explosion that has him on the 2023 Biletnikoff Award Watch List despite being new to USC’s system.
When asked about the Instagram clip Wednesday, though, Singer shrugged off the notion he was trying to replicate a previous version of himself.
“The mentality is just – every time I’m out there, make it the best,” Singer said Wednesday. “Even if it’s a run play, pass play. What I did last year was good and all – it was very good what I did last year – but it’s a new year with a new team, so I’m just excited to see what I could do.”
A new team, indeed, one freshly stocked up on Air Raid missiles despite the loss of now-graduated Jordan Addison, last year’s leading receiver. Singer will have to fight for touches with a bevy of fixtures – namely Mario Williams, fellow Biletnikoff watchlist nominee Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice among them, all of whom racked up more than 600 yards last season – and a cavernous depth chart supported by an influx of dynamic freshmen.
Singer had particular superlatives for freshman Ja’Kobi Lane, a lanky 6-foot-5 receiver out of Arizona who has notably bounced out for every practice with a gleaming smile.
“His ball-catching ability – he reminds me of myself,” Singer said. “When the ball’s in the air, go get it, at the highest point.”
“He’s like a little brother to me,” Singer continued. “So, yeah, we’re together all the time … just trying to be a mentor for him, because he’s the next generation to come out for the SC wide receiver group. So I want to make sure that if one go down, he’s ready to step up and play a big role, so it’s no drop-off in that category.”
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For all of Uncle Clay’s BS about Faith, Family & Football; I noted poor values related to respecting the coaching staff and team mates from many players during the reign of the dotard Cat. LR’s true, accountability-oriented culture shift he has accomplished in less than two seasons is a wonderful sight to behold.
Say ATL, what’s the level of optimism at Georgia Southern these days? Still lots of love for ole Clay?
What else do they have? My daughter (GSU Alumnae and still living at home–age 30) and her mom who takes her side every time the Helton history comes up won’t listen to facts coming from me. I suspect another 50/50 season. But he is safe, I suspect, for 3 more seasons before they eat his contract. Isn’t SC paying him off still? Thanks, Lynn Swann!
I haven’t followed Team Gomer yet, but I will start looking into the matter after the season starts.
I am so looking forward to this year! This should be one of the best O’s in SC history. And, the D looks to be at least decent.
Getting ready to go into game week. Looks like we are going to open the season with a totally healthy roster minus SoloT. That’s a good thing. It is going to be interesting to see who starts at all the positions, except QB.
Yeah, I heard that Miller Moss had just an outstanding Fall camp and is slated to be our Game one starter at QB….
Nah, just wanted to see if I could get a rise out of any of ya’s. 😀