New RBs Eli Sanders, Waymond Jordan bring a tough “professional mindset” to USC
Both newcomers, who are vying for the starting job with returning players Bryan Jackson and A’Marion Peterson, are open to the idea of returning kicks
USC RB Waymond Jordan looks to catch a pass during an early USC spring practice session. (Photo by David Crane, LADN/SCNG)
Dan Lovi (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — At the start of the media’s viewing portion for USC’s spring football practice on Tuesday, running back transfers Eli Sanders and Waymond Jordan were seen fielding kick returns.
The two newest faces to the running back room haven’t had much experience returning kicks – Sanders hasn’t returned a kick since 2022 and Jordan never logged a kick or punt return at his former stop – but USC head coach Lincoln Riley believes they’ll be able to make an impact in that facet of the game.
“We definitely could see using (Sanders). I mean, there’s no question he’s one of the best guys that we have in terms of the ball in his hands and having the ability to create explosive plays. He catches the ball very well,” Riley said. “Waymond and a handful of other guys, we’re going to toy around with this spring and see what fits, but certainly not hard to imagine Eli having a big role there.”
Sanders played three years at Iowa State, rushing for 703 yards and scoring four touchdowns in 21 games for the Cyclones.
He transferred to New Mexico in 2024 and exploded for 1,063 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 147 carries last season. His 7.2 yards per attempt was the fifth-best mark in the nation.
The redshirt senior, who will be vying for the starting running back spot along with Jordan and returning rushers Bryan Jackson and A’Marion Peterson, is looking forward to helping the team in any way he can, even if that means returning kicks.
“I want to be used anywhere on the field that I can be,” Sanders said. “So just when my number is called at any position on the field, whether it’s special teams or on offense, I’m up to do it.”
Jordan played at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas the last two years and topped the Division I JUCO ranks with 1,614 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
He was named the National Junior College Athletics Association D-I Offensive Player of the Year and helped the Blue Dragons win the 2024 NJCAA DI championship.
Like Sanders, Jordan is prepared to do whatever the coaching staff asks of him to help the team succeed.
“They asked me could I do it? And I told them, ‘Yes,’” Jordan said. “I’m just willing to do anything that will help the team. So if that’s being back there and returning kicks, I’ll do it.”
Riley is pleased with what he has seen so far.
“He’s an impressive guy, you know, he’s smooth. He’s kind of one of those guys when we watched him in junior college, it’s like he almost doesn’t look like he’s trying that hard. Obviously he is, but kind of has an effortless quality to him,” Riley said of Jordan. “Both he and Eli have a real professional mindset. They came in here for a reason and they’re both very far along in terms of the number of months that they’ve been with us.”
J’Onre Reed (50; 6-3, 320), who transferred in this spring after starting at center for two years at Syracuse, also played at Hutchinson Community College and was Jordan’s former teammate.
Even though Jordan redshirted the season they were teammates in Kansas, Reed already knew back then that the running back would be an impact player at the next level.
“Since he was a freshman, he came in, but he was behind like four or five guys. But throughout the spring and throughout the practices, he was still showing out,” Reed said. “He was patient and he got exactly what he wanted. … He worked hard. Fought for everything he wanted. Fought down, stayed down. That’s why he’s got the name ‘Junkyard Bulldog,’ because he’s a dog.”
FORMER TROJANS ON HAND
Several former Trojans, some of whom currently play in the NFL, visited campus Tuesday to watch practice and meet with players and staff.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock were a few of the former USC players who attended practice, as did one of St. Brown’s current teammates, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
“It just gives me confidence, you know, seeing those people,” offensive lineman DJ Wingfield said. “I have an opportunity to do it myself.”
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So UConn crushes South Carolina in the women’s final. Am I correct in saying that the closest game UConn had in the tournament was the Elite Eight game against the Lady Trojans w/o Juju?
SC is finally making some moves to get the program back on track. I haven’t seen so much quality depth in the trenches for a long time. Last year we were in every game. With more depth in trenches we should be able to win these close games.
“JuJu Watkins is like my family,” Deshonne Redeaux said Saturday at his commitment announcement ceremony at Elevate Studios in Los Angeles. “We grew up together. My dad knows her parents. We’d shoot hoops together when we were young at my house. I’ve just been around the family for a while. She’s like family to me. It was great that she just looked out and welcomed me to USC.”
CAL mega-donors want Justin Wilcox answering to GM Ron Rivera, will withhold NIL money until change is made Cal’s heavy hitters want to take a page from Stanford’s playbook with GM Andrew Luck Will Backus (CBSSports.com) — Two of Cal’s largest athletics benefactors will no longer contribute to the California Legends Collective, the program’s large third-party NIL establishment, until new general manager Ron Rivera is given full control of the football program, according to SFGATE. As things stand, CAL coach Justin Wilcox still answers directly to athletic director Jim Knowlton, while Rivera’s role is focused more on helping CAL adjust… Read more »
Deshonne Redeaux‘s commitment (total is now 20) gives USC a huge grip on its #1 ranked 2026 recruiting class.
Redeaux’s 247 rankings — 247Sports’ # 94 overall ranked player, the No. 5 ranked RB, and the #164 ranked prospect overall in the 247Sports Composite.
MICH, GA, ORE, UW and UCLA are the losers for now.
Redeaux joins Shahn Alston(5-9, 205, Painesville, OH, committed since Jan) as the 2nd RB in USC’s 2026 class. Both are considered among the top 10 prep RBs in the country.
He said he was going to shock the world. Well maybe not the world but I’ll bet he shocked Michigan after the interview he gave last week that sounded pro-Michigan
Who are the best Group of 5 transfers heading to the Power 4 ranks? Manny Navarro (The Athletic)/Erik McKinnney (WeAreSC) 9. DJ Harvey, CB, San Jose State → USC The Trojans ranked 15th in the Big Ten in passing defense in 2024 and have to replace their top four cornerbacks in terms of snaps played. Enter Harvey, a 5-10, 186-pound fifth-year SR who spent his first two seasons at VT before transferring back home to California to play for SJS. Last season, Harvey intercepted four passes and earned second-team All-Mountain West honors. Lincoln Riley said Harvey has been a… Read more »
TEXAS TECH reeled in one of the nation’s top transfer targets on Friday night. The Red Raiders signed former Stanford edge rusher/grad transfer David Bailey to play in Lubbock this next season.
Bailey (6-3, 240) was rated the nation’s No. 10 overall player in the transfer portal and No. 3 edge player, per 247 sports.
Bailey had 74 solo tackles and 14.5 sacks in his three years at STAN.
Healso considered TEXAS and UCLA after STAN fired HC Troy Taylor.
The fact that SC didn’t go after him tells me that they feel that they are loaded at that position. They need to get that loaded feeling at the middle LB spot.
With the way UCONN played last night, I’m not sure USC could have beaten that team even with JuJu.
So much has changed about USC women’s hoops since JuJu’s injury. The Portal defections of two promising-looking true freshmen could mean a lot of different things. I sure didn’t see that coming.
This team could look so much different next season that they will be hard to recognize.
The woman’s team across town are so bad in this game. They even miss layups. This game is over with and was never in doubt. They don’t deserve playing in a national championship.
I love seeing the bruhorns get humiliated. Hopefully UCONN beats them by 35-plus (setting some sort of Wooden Pyramid failure record), but that’s probably too much to ask in my greedy state of mind. I suspect the Huskies will empty their bench eventually and ruin my fantasy.
Steelers hosted QB Jaxson Dart for pre-draft visit on Friday Myles Simmons (Yahoo Sports) — The Steelers are still waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers will end up signing with them for the 2025 season. But on Friday, they brought a potential quarterback of the future into their building. According to multiple reports, former Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart (6-2, 225) was among the team’s top 30 pre-draft visits today. Dart was born on May 13, 2003, making him just 21 at the time of the Draft. Dart, 21, is considered to be among this year’s top prospects at… Read more »
I am surprised two highly prized freshmen are going Portal in WBB. With 3-members graduating from a program making the playoff one step away from the final four these last two seasons, you would think the future would look pretty good in the eyes of the team members. Is this about NIL & playing time disenchantment? I have only heard Gottlieb has recruited 1 HS guard so far. With JuJu’s recovery being bandied around like it is, is this also having an effect on the program?
We’ll probably never completely know why they left. There are likely a few reasons. Or maybe it’s just as simple as NIL, or opportunities presented by another program where connections have always been strong. They could have even been told by Gottlieb that they weren’t looking as positive in her plans for USC as they thought they were. One was from New York, the other from Idaho. Personally I liked them both, but maybe it turns out that California just isn’t their cup of tea? I have no idea who’s coming in to possibly replace them, though some very big… Read more »
Even with the Heckel and Howell transfer and Von Oelhoffen graduating USC is loaded at the Guard position. They have #1 guard Jazzy Davidson coming in for next season. Kennedy Smith and Davidson will likely start till Watkins returns. Heckel and Howell would be coming off the bench. They both could start and thrive somewhere else. The real need is replacing C/F Iriafen and Marshall, who graduate.
Kayleigh Heckel to transfer as well? Yes, she’s in the Portal. Yashika Dutta (EssentiallySports.com) — According to reports, Kayleigh Heckel is now also planning to leave the program. “Sources tell me Kayleigh Heckel intends to enter the transfer portal out of USC,” shared national scout and writer for Prep Girl Hoops, E Jay Arrow. The 5’9” guard from Long Island Lutheran came to USC as one of the most decorated recruits in the country. A McDonald’s All-American and two-time MaxPreps All-American, she had built a reputation as a fierce competitor and elite two-way player. Her high school resume included over 2,400… Read more »
Report: USC football to hire Director of Analytics USC football has added another personnel staffer. Connor Morrissette (USC Football.com) — The overhaul of USC football’s personnel staff continues. USC is reportedly set to hire Conor McQuiston as the program’s director of football analytics, according to John Brice of Football Scoop. McQuiston has worked with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, Pro Football Focus, NextGen Stats and, most recently, Prize Picks, in his career. McQuiston will be the first ever full-time analytics staffer inside the football program. USC’s made a handful of changes to its personnel staff this offseason. The moves started when the Trojans hired general manager Chad… Read more »
Frankly I have never seen such a setup where a HC has given so much help covering almost every aspect of a program and has a contract LR has. It’s amusing to think if this program continued its lackluster ways in winning, which way will the fingers be pointing?
One of the top RBs in America is on the verge of announcing his college football decision! Deshonne Redeaux (5-10, 195, Westlake Village Oaks Christian) says he’s already made his decision in his head. “I for sure know where I am going.” The biggest factor in his decision will be which school gives him the chance to play right away, “to play early and be a differentiator, to develop and to use my full ability. To just let me be that guy, so I can show you what I can do. That’s the biggest thing.” Will it be MICH (which… Read more »
They need to talk to this kid right now before they lose him. Ask him if he is ready to play football and live in the freezing cold, 2242 miles from his family and friends?
Frankly 007, I’m no longer worried about USC losing certain recruits. Not with GM Chad Bowden and his super beefed-up recruiting staff in charge. At least we all know now that USC is doing everything possible it can to recruit anyone they really want. The correct people, strategies and implementation processes are now in place to successfully recruit (and retain through signing) the incoming talent USC needs to play at an elite level. I’d love to get Redeaux, don’t get me wrong. But he’s been a big shot national recruiting target for a long time and he certainly knows the… Read more »
I would still go down and talk to him but if they don’t, then one of 2 things are at play here. 1) They still are sure he is coming to SC 2) They feel like you do……it’s not the end of the world if he leaves.
If there’s one thing I learned in the recruiting business, it’s that all recruit targets are replaceable. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but the talent web is so huge for a school like USC that for every loss, there’s another potential victory. Right now, I’m more focused on USC’s improving football culture and coaching. That’s what attracts the best recruits the most. And so much of their success depends on the head and heart as much as their physical skills. Like you, I hope we get Deshonne Redeaux. But it’s a long way until the next signing day. If USC… Read more »
I’d be surprised if Redeaux didn’t choose USC, even though he said he’s gonna “shock the world” with his decision. But I’m biased. USC sure wouldn’t be a shock, so I hope he’s just adding suspense to his birthday announcement. But there’s always the question of Lincoln Riley’s commitment to the USC running attack and the long shadow of his Air Raid approach to the game. Most of us have all been praying for LR’s increased reliance on the running game. Redeaux’s decision would go a long way to proving what kind of true impression recruits are getting about this… Read more »
If I was SC, I would get a number of coaches down to Oaks Christian today ad tommorow and let Deshonne know that it’s freezing in Michigan…..is that where you want to play football? He just got back from a trip to Michigan and he was humongously impressed. In the interview he was wearing a Michigan pullover hat. They asked him if he was excited about saturday. He said that he was and that there has been a lot said about where he was going to play college ball and he said that he was about ready to shock the… Read more »
USC RB A’Marion Peterson to enter transfer portal during spring window Mike Roach (USCFootball.com) — The former four-star recruit is back on the market as USC RB A’Marion Peterson is set to enter the 2025 college football transfer portal during the spring window. 247sports.com
USC standout freshman Avery Howell enters NCAA transfer portal Erik McKinney (WeAreSC) — The USC women’s basketball program was dealt another in a string of recent losses as standout freshman Avery Howell entered the NCAA transfer portal, per On3’s Talia Goodman. The 6-foot guard from Boise, Idaho pushed her way into the lineup as a true freshman. She finished sixth on the team in minutes per game and fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.5 points per game. Howell was impressive during USC’s NCAA Tournament run, posting back-to-back games with 18 points in wins against Mississippi State and Kansas State. Howell was… Read more »
USC WBB has 10 guards with the #1 guard recruit coming in. Howell will likely not be a starter at USC. Guess she thinks she can start somewhere else. Wish her the best, she will be missed.
Why Elite Texas Recruit Kohen Brown Committed to USC Over SMU, Baylor. It was a Trojan team effort for sure. Chad Bowden has re-energized the USC program. #1 USC is headed to its highest-ranked recruiting class in over a decade. Kendall Hollowell (yardbarker.com) — The USC Trojans have landed their second commitment in the last 24 hours in Waxahachie (Texas) three-star WR Kohen Brown. He joins Mater Dei (CA) four-star DL Tomuhini Topui. USC is now up to 19 commitments in their No. 1 ranked recruiting class for the 2026 cycle. Brown is the Trojans third receiver commit, joining Santa Margarita (Calif.) four-star Trent Mosley… Read more »
AW, you’ve been busy lately updating us on our latest big time commitment(s). Sitting back and watching this unfold with Bowden (magic man) steering this ship is nothing short of amazing. I bet the house he has a strategy on minimizing decommits, which one could argue is equally as important given the wacky world of CFB these days. I’ll check back in an hour to see the next big catch ( probably from CA ).
I have noticed different names writing for the SCNG and USC. I had to look it up but just found out Luca Evans left for Denver as the Bronco’s beat writer. I guess I haven’t been paying attention lately.
BREAKING: Texas WR Kohen Brown Commits to USC Scott Schrader (WeAreSC) — Three-star Waxahachie (TX) WR Kohen Brown (6-0, 180) flew into Los Angeles last week for a Tuesday and Wednesday visit to USC. It may have been his first visit, but it was an extremely impactful visit and led to his verbal commitment to the Trojans on Wednesday. “California is beautiful, I did not think I was gonna love it this much,” Brown told WeAreSC. “People told me I was going to like it a lot, but then I got there and they showed me a lot of love. I love the… Read more »
J’Onre Reed (
So UConn crushes South Carolina in the women’s final. Am I correct in saying that the closest game UConn had in the tournament was the Elite Eight game against the Lady Trojans w/o Juju?
Oh what could have been….
SC is finally making some moves to get the program back on track. I haven’t seen so much quality depth in the trenches for a long time. Last year we were in every game. With more depth in trenches we should be able to win these close games.
JuJu and Deshonne
“JuJu Watkins is like my family,” Deshonne Redeaux said Saturday at his commitment announcement ceremony at Elevate Studios in Los Angeles. “We grew up together. My dad knows her parents. We’d shoot hoops together when we were young at my house. I’ve just been around the family for a while. She’s like family to me. It was great that she just looked out and welcomed me to USC.”
247sports.com
Duke really choked last night, IMHO.
DUKE’s not gonna live this one down for a long, long time. Sooner or later, everyone tastes completely blowing it.
JuJu Wins Again.
JuJu Watkins is the John R. Wooden National Player of the Year. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Watkins earned the award over fellow finalists Paige Bueckers (UCONN), Lauren Betts (UCLA), Hannah Hidalgo (ND) and Madison Booker (TEXAS).
CAL mega-donors want Justin Wilcox answering to GM Ron Rivera, will withhold NIL money until change is made Cal’s heavy hitters want to take a page from Stanford’s playbook with GM Andrew Luck Will Backus (CBSSports.com) — Two of Cal’s largest athletics benefactors will no longer contribute to the California Legends Collective, the program’s large third-party NIL establishment, until new general manager Ron Rivera is given full control of the football program, according to SFGATE. As things stand, CAL coach Justin Wilcox still answers directly to athletic director Jim Knowlton, while Rivera’s role is focused more on helping CAL adjust… Read more »
Deshonne Redeaux‘s commitment (total is now 20) gives USC a huge grip on its #1 ranked 2026 recruiting class.
Redeaux’s 247 rankings — 247Sports’ # 94 overall ranked player, the No. 5 ranked RB, and the #164 ranked prospect overall in the 247Sports Composite.
MICH, GA, ORE, UW and UCLA are the losers for now.
Redeaux joins Shahn Alston (5-9, 205, Painesville, OH, committed since Jan) as the 2nd RB in USC’s 2026 class. Both are considered among the top 10 prep RBs in the country.
He said he was going to shock the world. Well maybe not the world but I’ll bet he shocked Michigan after the interview he gave last week that sounded pro-Michigan
10.42 100m; grew up with Trojan superstar JuJu Watkins
Wise decision young man. Better to play in paradise than in the artic-circle. I really think this kid will be a good one.
Do Lincoln Riley and GM Chad Bowden already know Deshonne Redeaux’s decision?
Redeaux’s public announcement is on CBS Sports HQ at 11:00 a.m. PT today.
Who are the best Group of 5 transfers heading to the Power 4 ranks? Manny Navarro (The Athletic)/Erik McKinnney (WeAreSC) 9. DJ Harvey, CB, San Jose State → USC The Trojans ranked 15th in the Big Ten in passing defense in 2024 and have to replace their top four cornerbacks in terms of snaps played. Enter Harvey, a 5-10, 186-pound fifth-year SR who spent his first two seasons at VT before transferring back home to California to play for SJS. Last season, Harvey intercepted four passes and earned second-team All-Mountain West honors. Lincoln Riley said Harvey has been a… Read more »
TEXAS TECH reeled in one of the nation’s top transfer targets on Friday night. The Red Raiders signed former Stanford edge rusher/grad transfer David Bailey to play in Lubbock this next season.
Bailey (6-3, 240) was rated the nation’s No. 10 overall player in the transfer portal and No. 3 edge player, per 247 sports.
Bailey had 74 solo tackles and 14.5 sacks in his three years at STAN.
He also considered TEXAS and UCLA after STAN fired HC Troy Taylor.
dallasnews.com
The fact that SC didn’t go after him tells me that they feel that they are loaded at that position. They need to get that loaded feeling at the middle LB spot.
Bruin women make history, losing 85-51 to UCONN.
First 30-point loss (34 actually) in Final Four history by any school!
I am not a Connecticut fan, but tonight the Huskies were my 2nd favorite team. Love seeing the bruins not only lose, but to get CURB STOMPED!
Makes you wonder how. The ladies of Troy would have done against the now-finalist UConn team if Juju didn’t get injured. 🧐😟
With the way UCONN played last night, I’m not sure USC could have beaten that team even with JuJu.
So much has changed about USC women’s hoops since JuJu’s injury. The Portal defections of two promising-looking true freshmen could mean a lot of different things. I sure didn’t see that coming.
This team could look so much different next season that they will be hard to recognize.
The woman’s team across town are so bad in this game. They even miss layups. This game is over with and was never in doubt. They don’t deserve playing in a national championship.
I love seeing the bruhorns get humiliated. Hopefully UCONN beats them by 35-plus (setting some sort of Wooden Pyramid failure record), but that’s probably too much to ask in my greedy state of mind. I suspect the Huskies will empty their bench eventually and ruin my fantasy.
Steelers hosted QB Jaxson Dart for pre-draft visit on Friday Myles Simmons (Yahoo Sports) — The Steelers are still waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers will end up signing with them for the 2025 season. But on Friday, they brought a potential quarterback of the future into their building. According to multiple reports, former Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart (6-2, 225) was among the team’s top 30 pre-draft visits today. Dart was born on May 13, 2003, making him just 21 at the time of the Draft. Dart, 21, is considered to be among this year’s top prospects at… Read more »
I am surprised two highly prized freshmen are going Portal in WBB. With 3-members graduating from a program making the playoff one step away from the final four these last two seasons, you would think the future would look pretty good in the eyes of the team members. Is this about NIL & playing time disenchantment? I have only heard Gottlieb has recruited 1 HS guard so far. With JuJu’s recovery being bandied around like it is, is this also having an effect on the program?
We’ll probably never completely know why they left. There are likely a few reasons. Or maybe it’s just as simple as NIL, or opportunities presented by another program where connections have always been strong. They could have even been told by Gottlieb that they weren’t looking as positive in her plans for USC as they thought they were. One was from New York, the other from Idaho. Personally I liked them both, but maybe it turns out that California just isn’t their cup of tea? I have no idea who’s coming in to possibly replace them, though some very big… Read more »
Even with the Heckel and Howell transfer and Von Oelhoffen graduating USC is loaded at the Guard position. They have #1 guard Jazzy Davidson coming in for next season. Kennedy Smith and Davidson will likely start till Watkins returns. Heckel and Howell would be coming off the bench. They both could start and thrive somewhere else. The real need is replacing C/F Iriafen and Marshall, who graduate.
Trojans Lose Close One in Vegas
After beating Tulane 89-60 in the opening round of the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas, 17-18 USC lost to Villanova tonight 60-59.
USC led by as much as 12.
Is that the NIT now?
No. Here’s this year’s NIT:
Kayleigh Heckel to transfer as well? Yes, she’s in the Portal. Yashika Dutta (EssentiallySports.com) — According to reports, Kayleigh Heckel is now also planning to leave the program. “Sources tell me Kayleigh Heckel intends to enter the transfer portal out of USC,” shared national scout and writer for Prep Girl Hoops, E Jay Arrow. The 5’9” guard from Long Island Lutheran came to USC as one of the most decorated recruits in the country. A McDonald’s All-American and two-time MaxPreps All-American, she had built a reputation as a fierce competitor and elite two-way player. Her high school resume included over 2,400… Read more »
Report: USC football to hire Director of Analytics USC football has added another personnel staffer. Connor Morrissette (USC Football.com) — The overhaul of USC football’s personnel staff continues. USC is reportedly set to hire Conor McQuiston as the program’s director of football analytics, according to John Brice of Football Scoop. McQuiston has worked with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, Pro Football Focus, NextGen Stats and, most recently, Prize Picks, in his career. McQuiston will be the first ever full-time analytics staffer inside the football program. USC’s made a handful of changes to its personnel staff this offseason. The moves started when the Trojans hired general manager Chad… Read more »
Help with game time decision making. Hear that, GT?
Is there anything left for LR to do?
Frankly I have never seen such a setup where a HC has given so much help covering almost every aspect of a program and has a contract LR has. It’s amusing to think if this program continued its lackluster ways in winning, which way will the fingers be pointing?
One of the top RBs in America is on the verge of announcing his college football decision! Deshonne Redeaux (5-10, 195, Westlake Village Oaks Christian) says he’s already made his decision in his head. “I for sure know where I am going.” The biggest factor in his decision will be which school gives him the chance to play right away, “to play early and be a differentiator, to develop and to use my full ability. To just let me be that guy, so I can show you what I can do. That’s the biggest thing.” Will it be MICH (which… Read more »
They need to talk to this kid right now before they lose him. Ask him if he is ready to play football and live in the freezing cold, 2242 miles from his family and friends?
Frankly 007, I’m no longer worried about USC losing certain recruits. Not with GM Chad Bowden and his super beefed-up recruiting staff in charge. At least we all know now that USC is doing everything possible it can to recruit anyone they really want. The correct people, strategies and implementation processes are now in place to successfully recruit (and retain through signing) the incoming talent USC needs to play at an elite level. I’d love to get Redeaux, don’t get me wrong. But he’s been a big shot national recruiting target for a long time and he certainly knows the… Read more »
True and, who knows, he might pick SC. But I’ve watched his film and he is really an outstanding running back. Hope we get him.
If you have time, take a look at the tape on freshman 3-star ATH/CB James Johnson (5-9/10, 180/192) from Douglasville, GA.
He’s looking great at USC practices so far and could be a real find as a special teamer.
It looks to me like he was underrated.
I would still go down and talk to him but if they don’t, then one of 2 things are at play here. 1) They still are sure he is coming to SC 2) They feel like you do……it’s not the end of the world if he leaves.
If there’s one thing I learned in the recruiting business, it’s that all recruit targets are replaceable. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but the talent web is so huge for a school like USC that for every loss, there’s another potential victory. Right now, I’m more focused on USC’s improving football culture and coaching. That’s what attracts the best recruits the most. And so much of their success depends on the head and heart as much as their physical skills. Like you, I hope we get Deshonne Redeaux. But it’s a long way until the next signing day. If USC… Read more »
I just found out something. Deshonne will be on the USC campus today
I’d be surprised if Redeaux didn’t choose USC, even though he said he’s gonna “shock the world” with his decision. But I’m biased. USC sure wouldn’t be a shock, so I hope he’s just adding suspense to his birthday announcement. But there’s always the question of Lincoln Riley’s commitment to the USC running attack and the long shadow of his Air Raid approach to the game. Most of us have all been praying for LR’s increased reliance on the running game. Redeaux’s decision would go a long way to proving what kind of true impression recruits are getting about this… Read more »
amen
If I was SC, I would get a number of coaches down to Oaks Christian today ad tommorow and let Deshonne know that it’s freezing in Michigan…..is that where you want to play football? He just got back from a trip to Michigan and he was humongously impressed. In the interview he was wearing a Michigan pullover hat. They asked him if he was excited about saturday. He said that he was and that there has been a lot said about where he was going to play college ball and he said that he was about ready to shock the… Read more »
USC RB A’Marion Peterson to enter transfer portal during spring window
Mike Roach (USCFootball.com) — The former four-star recruit is back on the market as USC RB A’Marion Peterson is set to enter the 2025 college football transfer portal during the spring window.
247sports.com
That was something to be expected with the additions that they have brought in.
USC standout freshman Avery Howell enters NCAA transfer portal Erik McKinney (WeAreSC) — The USC women’s basketball program was dealt another in a string of recent losses as standout freshman Avery Howell entered the NCAA transfer portal, per On3’s Talia Goodman. The 6-foot guard from Boise, Idaho pushed her way into the lineup as a true freshman. She finished sixth on the team in minutes per game and fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.5 points per game. Howell was impressive during USC’s NCAA Tournament run, posting back-to-back games with 18 points in wins against Mississippi State and Kansas State. Howell was… Read more »
USC WBB has 10 guards with the #1 guard recruit coming in. Howell will likely not be a starter at USC. Guess she thinks she can start somewhere else. Wish her the best, she will be missed.
New Trojan four-star Mater Dei DL TomTom Topui (6-2, 330). Eat your heart out, ORE.
Why Elite Texas Recruit Kohen Brown Committed to USC Over SMU, Baylor. It was a Trojan team effort for sure. Chad Bowden has re-energized the USC program. #1 USC is headed to its highest-ranked recruiting class in over a decade. Kendall Hollowell (yardbarker.com) — The USC Trojans have landed their second commitment in the last 24 hours in Waxahachie (Texas) three-star WR Kohen Brown. He joins Mater Dei (CA) four-star DL Tomuhini Topui. USC is now up to 19 commitments in their No. 1 ranked recruiting class for the 2026 cycle. Brown is the Trojans third receiver commit, joining Santa Margarita (Calif.) four-star Trent Mosley… Read more »
For what it’s worth USC with 269 points, has a 62 point lead over #2 Clemson. Everyone else is under 200. Oregon is down at #6 with 174 points
Right now, it’s a slaughter! USC recruiting is running in overdrive like a well-oiled machine. Pete Carroll, Ed O and Lane Kiffin would be proud…
AW, you’ve been busy lately updating us on our latest big time commitment(s). Sitting back and watching this unfold with Bowden (magic man) steering this ship is nothing short of amazing. I bet the house he has a strategy on minimizing decommits, which one could argue is equally as important given the wacky world of CFB these days. I’ll check back in an hour to see the next big catch ( probably from CA ).
I have noticed different names writing for the SCNG and USC. I had to look it up but just found out Luca Evans left for Denver as the Bronco’s beat writer. I guess I haven’t been paying attention lately.
Luca Evans (the writer who LR tried to ban from USC practices) was awesome.
I figured he’d have some other big media opportunities and I was wondering where he had split to.
Thanks for the info on his landing spot RT. Good luck to you Luca. You had a real flair and an incisive approach as USC’s beat writer.
BREAKING: Texas WR Kohen Brown Commits to USC Scott Schrader (WeAreSC) — Three-star Waxahachie (TX) WR Kohen Brown (6-0, 180) flew into Los Angeles last week for a Tuesday and Wednesday visit to USC. It may have been his first visit, but it was an extremely impactful visit and led to his verbal commitment to the Trojans on Wednesday. “California is beautiful, I did not think I was gonna love it this much,” Brown told WeAreSC. “People told me I was going to like it a lot, but then I got there and they showed me a lot of love. I love the… Read more »