Riley Has Plans for Swiss Army Knife Raleek Brown

RB Raleek Brown making early impressions at USC camp

Brown, the first commit of the Lincoln Riley era, is already expected to be a Swiss Army knife for the Trojans this season…

Adam Grosbard (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — Friday may not have been the first day of classes, but it had that type of vibe as USC football opened its first training camp of the Lincoln Riley era.

“Didn’t sleep very good last night,” Riley said as his team walked off the field. “You’re just kinda excited and ready for this day to go.”

It’s a very different group of Trojans from this time last year. USC lost 54 players from the 2021 roster and returns only nine starters while adding 10 high school and junior college prospects and 20 transfers to the locker room. Several of these new faces made their debuts in spring camp, but others were taking part in their first practice on Friday.

Among the newcomers was running back Raleek Brown, the No. 2 prospect in the state of California in the 2022 class according to 247Sports.com.

After missing out on spring practices while finishing up high school, Brown was hard to miss in his first day in cardinal and gold, even standing at 5-foot-8.

“His speed on the field is noticeable. And he’s on the field with a lot of good athletes,” Riley said. “Day 1 and backs are a little tough sometimes to fully evaluate when they’re not in pads. But I thought he had a good summer with us. Athletically he does some things that are certainly exciting.”

Brown spent the summer working out with the team and getting acclimated to the new locker room. It didn’t take him long to make an impression, even on the upperclassmen lifting weights with him.

Raleek has been quite the goofball,” sixth-year center Brett Neilon said. “We like to chat it up and I mess with him and he messes with me.”

Once he does get in pads, Riley cautioned, there will be a transition period. Having missed spring, Brown has to learn the offense and his role within it, as well as work on details like ball security and pass protection.

How he will be utilized is a closely-guarded secret, but his skill set will lend itself to several possibilities.

Coach [Riley] has a clear vision for him,” running backs coach Kiel McDonald said. “I think you’re going to see him in a number of different places on the field because he’s more of a Swiss Army knife than anything. There’s a lot of things that he brings to the program and we want to make sure he gets a chance to showcase his talent.”

Added Riley, “He’s committed to it and he’s working hard. I’m always pretty slow to anoint freshmen, they got to go prove it on Saturdays but he certainly has a bright future.”

Punter Questions

Australian punter Atticus Bertrams won’t be joining USC for the 2022 season, Riley reported, saying that a “circumstance came up that’s going to prevent that.”

This update puts USC in a tenuous situation at punter.

Last year’s starter, Ben Griffiths, is off trying to make it in the pros. The only punters left on the roster are walk-ons Will Rose, Michael McAllister and Garth White. Neither Rose nor McAllister have recorded a punt in their careers. White averaged 37.6 yards per punt at Ventura Junior College last season before transferring to USC over the summer.

Riley said he was happy with how Rose performed during the spring and is comfortable with him as the new punter, but admitted he would like to add another punter to the roster if only for competition and depth.

ocregister.com

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San Diego Trojan
August 8, 2022 8:42 am

Listening to Tony Boselli talk at the Hall of Fame, and Anthony Munoz on the Dan Patrick show this morning, reminded me of how many dominate All Americans we used to have on the line. Class acts and great Trojans. I hope we can get back there again

ATL D.D.S.
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ATL D.D.S.
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August 8, 2022 8:49 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Sticks and Stones may break my bones but mean names trigger me and I will make a capital offense of the matter. Boo-hoo.

alfa1
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August 8, 2022 9:10 am
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

I’m sure he didn’t resign voluntarily, he had immense downward pressure for the University Administration.
Woke is everywhere now. Even in Norman. If he repeated a Racial Slur, then, that was pure ignorance and he will have to pay the Piper.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
August 8, 2022 9:24 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

So during a position meeting, players were told to takes notes and pay attention to film. One knuckle head is not paying attention, joking around. Irritated coach picks up the players tablet and reads the players notes. Without thinking he reads aloud the dreaded word that the player had written. For that he can’t work anymore? What a country, so quick to be offended, so quick to be labeled evil, so quick to over react.

Star25
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August 8, 2022 12:17 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

This. The story presented to the press does not make sense. Obviously there is much more to it than we know. BTW, to all those complaining about how “woke” a nation/people we are, you might consider in this day and age that trigger word is still being used widely, freely and purposely. I get it if you’re not “offended” but here’s the thing, that word was never intended for you. It hurt then, it hurts now. In fact, it still kills. We are not “woke” we are comatose.

Steveg
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Steveg
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August 8, 2022 12:33 pm
Reply to  Star25

Even though as the story goes, he READ what was written by the player. So destroy his career because of a dumb kid. Makes perfect sense, woke or comatose. What a world we live in.

Star25
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August 8, 2022 4:13 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Exactly as I stated, you are assuming the events played out in the manner in which Gundy claimed. The University, the AD, the HC Venables could not/did not use this as a “teaching moment?” It doesn’t add up, it is all too convenient and quite frankly, unbelievable. BTW, destroy his career? Please, he’ll be fine, folks like him are always fine. Now, Todd McNair on the other hand…see what I’m saying?

ValleyTrojan57
August 8, 2022 7:16 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Odd he resigned for “reading” what was on the ipad of one of the recievers who wasn’t payin attention in the meeting, rather was “busy” on some as yet named sight… That account was read verbatum on air this morning when this broke…

Steveg
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August 7, 2022 4:43 pm

Aadyn Sleep-Dalton 2023 punter commit from Australia.

Golden Trojan
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August 7, 2022 5:50 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Consistently kicks in the 40s to any point in on the field. Lets hope this one makes it from Down Under. His brother punted for Iowa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjyobPnEkos

ATL D.D.S.
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August 8, 2022 8:55 am
Reply to  Golden Trojan

remarkable consistency. did’nt see much technique deterioration as he kept punting…. I hope we can bring him to Troy!

PN4SC
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August 6, 2022 4:17 pm

I, for one, hope Mandel is right, and the bruins become just an afterthought. There is a lot of apathy among their fan base toward football, and I hope they never feel at home in the BIG 10.

Steveg
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Steveg
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August 6, 2022 4:31 pm
Reply to  PN4SC

I dislike ucla but it would be awesome for the two new west coast schools to have their way with the B1G showing how weak some of their teams are. They have tOHS, Mich, Mich St. Wisc is a sometimes good team, the rest are also rans with an occasional good year. USC should be in contention annually. ucla will have its ups and downs as long as they have Chipper, but they will never be really good with him as coach.

SC Gator
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August 6, 2022 6:51 pm
Reply to  Steveg

I dislike UCLA, too. Maybe dislike is not a strong enough verb. I’d love to see UCLA become the B1G team all the others build Homecoming around.

alfa1
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August 7, 2022 6:19 am
Reply to  Steveg

Of course there has long been a keen competition between USC and the Bruins, however I feel a gentle wisp of sympathy for the Baby Bears. The animosity becomes obvious, UCLA trying to better its position, that of switching conferences. It has to irk the Chancellor’s and enrage the Governor ** and to mention the Substitute Commissioner ** that a subordinate University in the system would dare to eclipse the hallowed institute of “Wokism in Berkeley” and no less seeking their permission (Which in their charter or conference contract was not required) When all is said and done, UCLA might… Read more »

usc50
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usc50
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August 7, 2022 7:03 am
Reply to  Steveg

I am a USC graduate. And will die a USC fan.
But I do not hate UCLA.
It seems like it is like two brothers who hate each other
but must somehow learn to get along.
With the move to the Big10 USC and UCLA fates are tied together.
And cooperation is required for one alone will be a lonesome journey.
With the distance factor travel will be a pain.
I do not agree with the move but will support the decision.

rleeholder1
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August 8, 2022 4:51 am
Reply to  usc50

Very well said usc50. I’m also a USC grad, both an undergrad and grad degree in Business. I too believe the distance factor will be a pain for the team as well as fans. I don’t like the move either but will support it. You just won’t see me on a weekender to the likes of Lincoln, Nebraska!

Wilson_Reade
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August 7, 2022 11:33 am
Reply to  PN4SC

Genuine hatred is something I keep reserved for Notre Dame (and sometimes Stanford.) UCLA isn’t worth the effort.

volunteerTrojan
Major Genius
August 6, 2022 4:01 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

ucla brings absolutely nothing to the BIG table in football. It had to have been justified based on basketball and other sports.

Steveg
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Steveg
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August 6, 2022 10:54 am

PAC-12 will now allow players to monetize their game highlights, even right after the games. https://reignoftroy.com/posts/usc-trojans-pac-12-athletes-finally-make-money-immediately-game-day

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
August 6, 2022 10:22 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Big pick up out of Houston over the Longhorns and TAM. 6’4″, 235 also competes in triple jump.

Steveg
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August 6, 2022 10:43 am
Reply to  Golden Trojan

Just the win is a huge deal, and getting the player of his caliber should light up the defense, especially Foreman, if he wants to play football. From what I hear and read, the new USC defense should put Foreman in a really good position to now show what he can do.

SC Gator
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August 6, 2022 6:34 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

in addition to loving this pickup, I’m thrilled to hear someone under 65 refer to my school as “SC” and not “USC.” I only use the deuce. When I went to school, everyone did. My friends at UCLA And Cal used the triple. Notre Dame folks always used Southern Cal. The emphasis should be on the SC and not the U. I understand why the administrators want to emphasize the U but I never really cared what they thought.

SC it is. What’s everyone else’s preference?

John Weld
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John Weld
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August 6, 2022 10:12 pm
Reply to  SC Gator

I say SC to everyone I know that went to SC or is a fan of SC otherwise I say USC.

Steveg
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Steveg
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August 7, 2022 10:00 am
Reply to  John Weld

In print I use USC, in spoken I generally go the east route and say SC. Either way, people know what I am talking about.

RialtoTrojan
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August 6, 2022 10:01 am

I know I’m getting old. I went to the Hollywood Bowl last night and returned to Rialto around 1am. I fetched the newspaper about 8 hours later but then sat down with my phone and came here (to TDB) because I knew there would be news here. I read through the article and comments and then finally grabbed the newspaper. I started reading the article there and thought “wow I think I read this somewhere.” I guess all of this is solidify the thought of a couple of days ago; online make TDB a regular stop for positive and timely… Read more »

usc50
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August 6, 2022 6:40 am

Can’t have enough speed. Especially if it is football speed.
It seems Raleek can be a Swiss Army knife.
With all this talent on offense the problems will
come from the defense.
Or the special teams with poor punting and thus poor
field position.

rleeholder1
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August 6, 2022 5:07 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I remember all the hype about Martell. Too bad he didn’t succeed at the college level. I knew going into college at USC (my family saw to it that SC would be the only school on my list) that I wasn’t good enough to compete with Pat Haden and later on my classmates Vince Evans and Rob Hertl who redshirted a year. Those three guys marked a great succession of SC QBs in Haden, Evans, Hertl and Paul McDonald. It’s right up there with Palmer, Leinart, Booty, Sanchez and Barkley. Hopefully Caleb Williams will start another succession with Malachi Nelson… Read more »

RialtoTrojan
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August 6, 2022 10:12 am
Reply to  rleeholder1

rlee, I am with you on the noise in the coliseum being loud and for the first time in a long time without boos. I don’t boo the Trojans because I believe it affects the individual players in ways I can relate to only in how I feel when silence follows a musical performance. Anyways the only time I want to hear booing this season is when the refs get involved in a negative way. Otherwise I expect to get more exercise in the coliseum, from jumping out of my seat with excitement, than at Sunday service at the local… Read more »

SC Gator
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August 6, 2022 6:47 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

But at least he stayed at one high school for three years. There’s that.

SC Gator
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SC Gator
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August 6, 2022 7:49 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Not being too hard on him. He’s the first guy I’m aware of who retired from football because he finally realized he isn’t good enough to play, even at UNLV. No injury mentioned.

I think that alone gets you into the Bust Hall of Fame.