Lincoln Riley’s 2024 USC recruiting class emphasizes commitment, development
Nineteen of USC’s 21 commits signed on Wednesday’s early National Signing Day, a group rich in defensive depth and size up front but light on offensive talent
Luca Evans (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — Elijah Newby was the first to lock in pen to paper on Wednesday, and his confirmation said a thousand words in the span of precious few.
The Connecticut linebacker had committed to USC in June, back when this program had a different defensive coordinator and an unblemished record and national championship hopes. And Newby remained committed through December, even as USC’s defense imploded and the Trojans started shuffling their defensive staff. He didn’t waver, head coach Lincoln Riley said on Wednesday. Not for a second.
“I promise to give @uscfb everything I have for the next 3-4 years!” Newby wrote in a social media post on Wednesday morning, the dawn of the early National Signing Day.
The next 3-4 years. That means something, around USC. It means something to a program that’s seen a slew of once-hyped recruits head for the transfer portal in the last few days. It means something to a program that, as Riley reflected Wednesday, has felt like it’s “starting over” in many ways after a disastrous year – new defensive coordinator, new staffers, new conference.
“If they’ll give us the time and put their effort into it, they will develop at USC,” Riley continued later, lips set and words knife-sharp. “With this staff, it’s not a matter of if. It’s going to happen.”
It was a relatively calm signing day for USC, reflecting a relatively understated class. Long Beach Millikan receiver Ryan Pellum was the only surprise, nonchalantly telling the crowd at a Millikan signing ceremony that he was flipping to Oregon. The Millikan High gym sat, for a moment, in a stunned quiet. At the table next to Pellum, a teammate’s jaw literally dropped.
Pellum had been one of the few top prospects in the state still committed to the Trojans for next year. Otherwise, USC’s other 2024 commits (except Los Alamitos DB Isaiah Rubin) all signed letters of intent, preserving the core of a group with a relatively modest recruiting ranking, depending on your service of choice.
But those signees, and Riley’s confident sermon Wednesday, established that USC had a clear philosophical mantra for their ’24 class: in the tumultuous era of the transfer portal that has both consumed and produced a wealth of Trojans, they were looking for guys who would stick. Players who were steadfast in their commitment and committed to developing as Trojans, rather than jumping ship after it crashed repeatedly into 2023 icebergs.
“The guys that don’t waver and have a passion for being here,” Riley said, “they’re going to hang in there through the ups and downs, they’re going to develop, and then you’re going to look up and down the line and they’re going to turn into really good players. So many of these guys never blinked. You can’t stress the importance of that enough.”
It was apparent in a November loss to Oregon – a program that has straight-up beat USC on the recruiting trail in the Riley era – that USC needed to develop size up front as it transitions to the Big Ten Conference. And as that’s been a key point of emphasis under new coordinator D’Anton Lynn, it was a similar key in USC’s 2024 recruiting approach, importing a solid amount of size in the trenches.
Florida offensive lineman Jason Zandamela (Clearwater Academy) and Atlanta defensive end Kameryn Fountain (Booker T. Washington High) are the true diamonds of the haul, two players who could see significant playing time as true freshmen. Defensive linemen Carlon Jones (Bay City High, Texas) and Jide Abasiri (Prior Lake High, Minnesota) are 290-pound shakers up front who were both pulled in under the recent Lynn administration. And Makai Saina (Martin High, Texas), Justin Tauanuu (Huntington Beach), Hayden Treter (Cherry Creek High, Colorado) and Kalolo Ta’aga (Bishop Riordan High, San Francisco) add developmental depth on the offensive line.
“Large human beings,” Riley grinned on Wednesday. “Large, large human beings.”
The class also bristles with highly-regarded defensive playmakers, from Newby to St. John Bosco cornerback Marcelles Williams to Sierra Canyon safety Marquis Gallegos.
There is a definite lack of offensive talent, particularly as Pellum flipped; Sierra Canyon’s Xavier Jordan is the only receiver in the class, and Bryan Jackson (McKinney High, Texas) the only running back. Riley said Wednesday that USC would look to add some skill position depth through the portal; not a couple hours later, in came a commitment from former Mississippi State back Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, who racked up more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage across four years as a Bulldog.
The biggest question mark, still, remains at quarterback, where USC hasn’t had a 2024 commit. Former top prospect Malachi Nelson’s departure was “a little unexpected,” Riley said, and will change plans. As USC fans wait for the other shoe to drop on Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard, Riley said there’s a chance they’ll bring in two portal QBs – all but confirming Caleb Williams’ departure to the NFL.
None of the pomp and circumstance of Wednesday matters, of course, if USC can’t retain and develop talent, as Riley so emphatically emphasized at his presser. But – at least until the Big Ten chips fall – the Trojans appear to have put together a group on the basis that these players will stick in cardinal and gold.
“The opportunity to help bring this program back to where we all want it to be,” Riley said, “is shared across this class.”
As far as USC’s local signing efforts, “People have to realize we’re not in the Pac-12 anymore,” Riley said. “Those days are over. Look where we’re playing, look at the competition that we’re playing. Look where the majority of our conference lies. And that along with there’s just a lot of changes in college football in general where, I mean, no state of players is just staying home like they used to.”
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With all the opt outs it’s a real crap shoot. USC has 24 players out and Louisville has 12. Who knows how that game will go. Utah had a pretty anaemic offense last night. I’m hoping to go 50% in my picks before New Year’s Day.
Pretty amazing, Utah had to play with its 3rd and 4th string QBs and got completely shut down. Boise State had to play a QB who had never taken a snap in a live game. I have no idea what will happen in the SC game. Candidly, or in any of these games. Does make them very interesting. The game that is really interesting to me in the FSU/GA game. I think FSU has a ton of play sitting it out.
I think this year’s bowl matchups overall are as good as I can remember, though it’s just too bad so many of the best players opt out for varying reasons.
Given the current massive turnover and turmoil the game of CFB finds itself in, that’s kind of a remarkable unexpected bonus, at least for me!
Last night the turnovers did Utah in. It was interesting to see how one of the midlevel B1G teams handled one of the most physical teams in the PAC12. I think there is a lot to be concerned about next year.
It is amazing how many upsets occur in sports which is why the teaser cards, super teaser cards and pick-em games work so well for the casinos. The average fan is so sure that the extra points (3-3.5)on the teaser card or (5-6) points on the super teaser will guarantee them a win, but upsets happen!!
Kiffin Beats Lanning for Prized Transfer Former Texas A&M Aggies DL Walter Nolen Commits To Ole Miss Rebels on Christmas Eve Walter Nolen is headed back close to home after a two-year stay in College Station. Cole Thompson (si.com) — Walter Nolen isn’t leaving the SEC after all. According to multiple reports, Nolen will transfer to Ole Miss for the 2024 season. The former No. 1 defensive recruit will have two years of eligibility remaining in Oxford. Nolen visited campus last weekend after visiting Oregon the weekend prior. Born in Mississippi before moving to Tennessee, Nolen had previously considered Ole Miss… Read more »
Given that Northwestern beat Utah at their own game – with D, I thought the board might like to know that the HC of Northwestern was North Dakota State’s DC prior to taking the Northwestern job last year. LR just hired North Dakota State’s HC as our LB coach. Our D is going to be MUCH better next year. SC is very much in a rebuilding process, but at least, I think LR is getting the foundation correct.
The soundness and possible excellence of LR’s latest crop of incoming Portals will be a big deal. Last year’s haul showed some real overall prospect evaluation weaknesses. Hopefully, that won’t rear its head again.
Recruiting experts are tearing into LR’s approach to early signing period letting top SoCal athletes escape to the Michigans, Georgias & Bama if not Oregon. Seems LR may be gun shy going after these 4 & 5 star players he feels will wavier or holding their hands out for the most bidding for their signings? Feeling the loss of his last year top recruits may have him leaning even more prominently on the “quick fix” Portal and not making an all out commitment to building depth as the other top programs have succeeded. You hate to see out of State… Read more »
The answer is USC has to get the monies out front to compete for the So. Cal prima donnas. Right now USC has shot itself in the foot and fallen way behind other schools. I think it kills Riley more than any of us to see it happening, but college football is not about loyalty or committment anymore, unless you are committed to making the most money you can. It isn’t because Riley is not trying as I do believe he is.
Merry Christmas TDB. Last night the local (San Diego)news was excited about 5 buses arriving full of Trojans. They briefly spoke to “the Trojan starting quarterback.” Anyway the team practiced and the band is in town so what could be better?
Happy Holidays to each and every one of you extraordinary TDBers and Merry Christmas to all as we close in on Xmas Eve and eventually a lot more peace on earth, if possible. 🎅 🎅 ✌
I’m impressed with Utah’s NIL deals. Last Friday they announced all members of MBB, WBB, and W Gymnastics teams will get a free car lease for the year, a Jeep Cherkee or Ram truck. Continuing to promote teamwork by sharing the wealth. USC are you watching? More group deals need to be promoted at SC.
Bronny and Caleb got $8.5 million, for 2 guys. Every scholarship FB player could get $100K each with that. I know, I’m sure Lebron got most of those deals for Bronny but still the collectives need to get their act together.
They do not get that from USC collectives. They make that money from endorsements. Bronny makes it from his social media accounts. It’s the way that NIL should be, kids can make money from their own celebrity That is how those two are out ahead of most everyone. Bronny has made millions off his social media since he was about 14.
I figured Bronny got his cause of who his dad is and Caleb from the TV adds. Still like the share the wealth additude at Utah rather than a few get big deals at USC.
I think we all acknowledge the obvious – “pay for play” NIL has completely changed collegiate recruiting. From what Allen has posted, it appears that SC is having trouble facing this reality. I think SC will figure it out, but as Rock has noted, we are missing out in the elite preps. Rock again pointed out that dispute what LR says, if OR has a solid “pay for play” program in place with incentives if you do well, why would a kid come to SC over OR? I mean if I am told you get $60k (plus the scholarship) to… Read more »
IMO you have described the situation very well. The old days……are the old days. College football is now a huge business that has very little to do with the college colors the players wear except for location, pay and facilities. Just a minor league for the NFL. Ask a good portion of the players on the Chicago Bears where they live…..most will reluctantly admit they have a second home in Florida, which is much bigger than their official residence in Chicago. Very few of the elite players care about a degree. USC, if it wants to be an elite program… Read more »
It’ll be interesting to see how and if the new world order of college football affects fans’ interest, and specifically their allegiance to their teams and favorite players. I think this is an extremely muddy area, especially since students at schools could end up less attached to their football traditions given the now radical yearly revolving door of players. Once the college players become employees, with collective bargaining and all, and W2 forms are left in players’ lockers, I hope the fanbases don’t become more detached, because it’s the passion for college football that always made it the greatest sport… Read more »
Frankly, if I were still young I’d like to research that interesting question. It’s what this is all about. Does not seem to hurt the professionals at all. I’am wondering when colleges stop allowing students to attend games for a large discount.
The farce of the curtain which the NCAA maintained over the cash has now dropped and the wizard of oz is there for all to see.
Have to agree with the train of thought, but like most do not like where it is going. Gone is the day of play for the good old alma mater. Play for the school and its tradition like Rudy for ND. Gone are the traditions of football and the values that are lost. For a elite 5 star few it is all about the money. But for the others the old values can still matter. Do it for the Gipper, etc. It is a shame when money is more important than human values but it is not that way for… Read more »
Yes, the cat’s all the way out of the bag now. I agree that it is all a big shame in some respects. But the system could never remain the way it was, not in America at least.
The old college try has been replaced by business as usual. Hopefully, we’ll all adapt to the entirely new face of college football. I firmly believe tradition-rich USC will too. And as you suggest, some good players will still choose USC because of numerous reasons that aren’t entirely tied to immediate money.
I read a Facebook article ranking the recruitment in the B1G so far. I don’t know how accurate it is, but USC was number five and Ucla was seventeen. Even if it’s a pipedream, it made me smile for a while.
8-5 Bruin football is so bizarre. They easily smash up a harmless, disinterested USC team in the Coliseum. Then one week later the Bruhorns get totally bombed big time by traditional loser CAL at the Rose Bowl. Woo hoo! Then in the L.A. Bowl, BOISE ST routs Chip Kelly’s bunch in the first half, but the Bruins explode in the second half to win going away 35-22. Winning that game seemed to do the Bruins a lot of good actually. It’s easy to say USC winning the Holiday Bowl doesn’t really matter. But I can’t help but wish USC beats… Read more »
As to the Boise State game, I thought the difference was in the first half, Chip played Schlee and in the second half he played Garbers. Why Chip did that, I have no idea.
TrojanRJJ, I agree with you. I don’t follow UCLA football much, but Garbers certainly had a good game against us. I don’t think Schlee played much at all this year, so Chip’s decision seemed odd to me.
FSU decision could trigger move for UNC to leave ACC per college analyst Zack Pearson (Tar Heels Wire/Yahoo Sports) — It appears as if missing out on the College Football Playoff was the last straw for Florida State in staying with the Atlantic Coast Conference. After rumors swirled in the Summer that the Seminoles were part of a handful of teams looking to leave the conference, the university has scheduled a Board of Trustees meeting on Friday to begin the process of pursuing an exit from the ACC. And it’s a move that could have a big impact on… Read more »
Seems really stupid to me. Where will they go? They seem to be assuming that the SEC will give them full membership. I know if I was AL or GA, I would block it. Does the SEC kick out Vandy and replace it with FSU? Why would the SEC do that? Given the 12 team playoff, why not stay in the ACC and be assured of a playoff spot every year. Makes no sense to move out the ACC. I think Chip Kelly had the correct answer, but that is simply not going to happen with the SEC and the… Read more »
Standing room only expected to watch USC/UCLA women’s hoops coming up
Undefeated No. 2 UCLA (11-0) “welcomes” No. 6 USC (10-0) and spectacular 6-2 frosh guard JuJu Watkins to Pauley Pavilion on Dec 30 at 5 pm PT for a historical contest.
The Pac-12 opening matchup will be the first time UCLA and USC have met as two top-10 teams since 1981, and the first time they’ve both been undefeated.
Here’s The Cat greeting a few of his new “warriors” on LOI Day (#90 class). Don’t you totally miss this guy, now 12-14 with two crap bowl losses as the lead Eagle Warrior?
I have to admit, I thought “Oh ya baby, I love fast people in the mornin’,” was pretty cute for a carnival barker!
Awesome! Callen seems like he is going pro. This will be a great pickup. Not sure what we are going to do with 4 guys who can start – Ramsey, branch, pierce, Arnold.
I was thinking what USC can do if they continue to refuse pay for play. First follow Utah, announce each scholarship player in FB and Men`s BB get a base deal, say $100K and a free car lease. Further deals possible for starters, less for 2nd string or special circumstances deals. They will need a couple years to show what has been done. It will take 2-3 yrs for that and even then they will lose out on many 5*s who can get guaranteed money.
GT, I am not certain what the answer is. If you are going to pay legit dollars to kids to play, I would rather have a proven commodity. I think Texas is right that you need a base for OL and DL and probably LBs, with the stars who perform getting more. The one reform that makes sense is to force disclosure of what kids are getting paid by “pay for play” NILs, rather than “earn it” NILs. But, I think SC must have a rational “pay for play” NIL in place, however, they want to do it. It is… Read more »
Right now much of this NIL money is being overspent on preps not close to worth it. How much, I don’t know. Maybe it’s just the cost of doing business.
But NIL money suppliers deserve to have a better understanding of just what their dollars are paying for. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
Allen, we really do not know how much is being spent. But is clear GA, AL, tOSU, Miami, and FSU are paying significant dollars for their preps and stars. I wonder what the budget is for this. Nike clearly has a handle on the market. How about an NIL disclosure rule for preps?
Add Oregon, Auburn, Texas, A&M , Tennessee, Penn State and Ole Miss to that list. Their collectives are organized and doing a great job in helping bring kids to those schools.
It is also clear that those schools have some better, more talented recruiters than USC does. So does ORE, without any doubt whatsoever. Hopefully, USC’s new coaching additions will help USC make a better impression on the recruiting trail.
I have no idea what the real truth is about how much each school (via their collectives) is actually laying out in broad-based NIL money. That would be some info that would be so enlightening to learn.
Allen, my guess is that those schools have a very strong link between the recruiters and the NIL “pay for play” organizations. I seriously doubt that having a strong recruiter without a strong and well managed “pay for play” organization will work. My guess is you need both. These arrangements are I think in technical violation of the NCAA rules, but as everyone has them, the rule is in effect has been repealed. The NCAA had to go after A&M when it set up the first set of organized collectives – it did not and hence everyone (many of whom,… Read more »
One thing you may not be aware of is that Ryan Pellum has always had very strong family connections to ORE, and in a big-time football way. His uncle, Don Pellum, recently retired in 2021 as UCLA’s LB coach since 2018. But before being with the Bruins, Uncle Don, who played LB for the Ducks from ’80-84, also coached with the ORE Ducks after being a grad asst there. Pellum actually had an incredibly long nearly 30-year career with ORE as a defensive coach from 1988 until 2016. During Pellum’s exceptionally extensive tenure at ORE as an asst, he was… Read more »
Allen, Thanks for the info. It does make what went on a bit clearer, but I think it does not change the fundamental point that Rock made. Why was the kid committed to SC for over a year given his family ties to OR (and they are quite extensive)? My guess (and it is only a guess) was that in the beginning OR did not offer the kid enough money to go to OR (his uncle may well have told him to hold out and commit to SC until OR upped the offer). That at the end OR (for whatever… Read more »
We never change each others’ minds here. Good for us! Everyone has their own perspectives — and very valid reasons for them. I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of kids decommit from schools very publicly for dozens of reasons after long, seemingly solid, unbreakable commitments. Since I come from a 30-year career in recruiting, I can’t help but see some things much differently (to a fault), and place a lot more value than you may do on other aspects of great recruiting, superior coaches, program stability, geographical and family prefs, etc. The list is very long. That certainly doesn’t make me… Read more »
Not a huge Chip Kelly fan, but what he said after bowl game about where college football should go is 100% on point. Ditch the NCAA, grab the power 4 conferences and get it done. It would keep regional rivalries, solve the pay for play, and make the playoff decisions much easier.
Another thing I heard A LOT today that I DO AGREE with >>>>> “Because of the draft and portal and other things these 2023 Bowl Game are just GLORIFIED Spring Practices” <<<<< I gotta agree with that !
I posted as much about a week ago and agree totally. With so many of USC’s players gone for the Holiday Bowl, I now see the game primarily as a great chance to see these younger Trojan players. I’d sure like to get back on the winning bowl track (didn’t we used to be called America’s #1 Bowl team?), but the entire bowl scenario is basically geared toward the playoffs now. The lesser bowls mean even less now, but hopefully they’re great for the interested players, so that’s what really matters With 12 teams in the playoffs for 2024, USC… Read more »
Very true USC’s media guide still always refers to us as America’s Bowl Team, so I’m sticking with it! USC’s Rose Bowl Record (25 – 9) 1923–USC 14, Penn State 3 1930–USC 47, Pittsburgh 14 1932–USC 21, Tulane 12 1933–USC 35, Pittsburgh 0 1939–USC 7, Duke 3 1940–USC 14, Tennessee 0 1944–USC 29, Washington 0 1945–USC 25, Tennessee 0 1946–Alabama 34, USC 14 1948–Michigan 49, USC 0 1953–USC 7, Wisconsin 0 1955–Ohio State 20, USC 7 1963–USC 42, Wisconsin 37 (I became a USC fan for good this day) 1967–Purdue 14, USC 13 1968–USC 14, Indiana 3 1969–Ohio State 27,… Read more »
Couple of Sports channels on TV this afternoon (in the NY Metro area at least) in their College Football shows Speculated that Florida State may have ALREADY pushed the 1st few dominoes that will lead to FSU Leaving the ACC .
At this stage, they believe anything would be better than the low-paying ACC, which is basically doomed to CFB subservience to the B1G and SEC going forward.
What was it Gomer Pyle was Famous for saying ??? SURPRISE …..SURPRISE ….. SURPRISE ….. Some Websites Declaring Georgia and Alabama #1 and # 2 in recruiting right now .Again I say >>>>> SURPRISE …..SURPRISE ….. SURPRISE !!!!!
Look at the teams that got the 5* players yesterday. Those are the ones with a pay for play deals for 5*s. Those that don`t get 5*s won’t do it or don’t have the dough. SC will not get 5* players without it. 2 or 3 years of that and LR may bolt to where they do especially if he can get 8 or 9 wins a year with 4*s.
I don’t really think LR is in that much demand right now. He’d have to take a big step down.
And if he did bolt, then I guess all his blustery talk about loving yesterday’s wonderful signees for “sticking with USC through thick and thin” is just total BS. If so, that would be too bad, yet so coach-like.
Then obviously LR will have figured out how to make USC successful again, and we’ll be in a much, much better position to replace him. Sounds good to me.
USC continues to get smashingly negative reviews about yesterday’s signing effort. This one comes by way of Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, who emphasized USC’s notable California losses: Southern California This is a largely underwhelming class that might be a reflection of the Trojans’ extremely underwhelming second year under coach Lincoln Riley. USC missed on all five of California’s top recruits: quarterback Julian Sayin (Alabama), defensive lineman Aydin Breland (Oregon), offensive tackle Brandon Baker (Texas), linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (Notre Dame) and cornerback Zabien Brown (Alabama). The Trojans did compile a nice class of interior offensive linemen, which will definitely help, and… Read more »
Jen Cohen is our secret weapon. Here’s what newly named 2023 Coach of the Year Kalen DeBoer, who was hired by Cohen, said about her when she left UW for USC: “Obviously, I feel strongly [about the news of Cohen’s departure],” DeBoer said. “She’s the one that brought me here. I don’t think there’s a person here who works for her or even the student-athletes who wouldn’t feel like they were more than 100% supported by her every single day. You walk into a facility every day, or you were working, and you knew she was doing everything she could… Read more »
I don’t know if we have a Phil Knight who can fund the entilre NIL program, but USC could do the same thing that they started probably 25 years ago to fund the scholarships for the football team. They endowed each position for the football team. My parents were part of the original group of donors. They just did the starters at first and they did it by position. Willie McGinnest was the starter whose scholarship my parents endowed. Maybe we can do a similar program to get a pool of money as an endowment to fund an an annual… Read more »
ATL, I think you nailed it in these two posts. SC is going to need to shift its donations from the school to NIL entities. I think most of the schools in the B1G and SEC have already made the shift. To the best of my knowledge, SC has not. OR is truly unique and right now has a huge advantage over SC – its NIL is funded and administered by a corporation in the sports business. OR will NOT have that advantage over most schools in the B1G. It did, however, dominate the PAC in this regard. I am… Read more »
As I understand it, it’s not necessarily a funding problem. The collectives are pretty well funded and getting better under Jen. The major problem is philosophy. We do not want anything that would be considered a straight pay for play, which is what most everyone else is doing. I’ve heard it from the 247 guys and the ESPN recruiting guy. So we can have full coffers but unless we come in with up front offers like the others, we are playing catch up. Also, we need to get the collectives under one umbrella. They are acting independently.
The truth is, USC already has the money, and plenty of contributors to make a more centralized NIL payment system work just fine. But the school just doesn’t want to pay for preps, and that includes Lincoln Riley. It’s basically a policy decision, an ideological stand about building a team. There are drawbacks to paying for preps, which is technically still against the rules. But USC’s gonna have to come around and start doling out moola to the preps in greater amounts if it wants to compete with the elite. Right now, LR’s trying to buck that reality, while he’s… Read more »
Consider Texas A&M’s return on investment in NIL. There are no magic bullets. LR needs a coherent plan, and if we’re losing guys we want, all legal options must be on the table. I don’t like LR’s after-the-fact circular rationale that someone not choosing us or waffling in their choice means we’re better off without them and we dodged a bullet. That’s ridiculous. Choosing a college destination for these players who have prepped for this their whole lives is a big choice, and sometimes players legitimately struggle with their options down to the time ink is put to paper. And… Read more »
Circular, for sure. I think I recall him saying something about (not verbatim) “putting up the fence around Southern California” when he first landed here. It’s still a great plan and goal, but since he hasn’t been successful at it, is no longer a goal?
LR has undoubtedly made a giant fool of himself over the past year. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s stupid. But since I know he’s not, I could use other words like naive, short-sighted, delusional, immature, misguided, egotistical, stubborn, arrogant, a little paranoid, and totally lucky he somehow got the $100 mil USC job without any proof he could rebuild USC instead of just running it on auto-pilot after it was cruising along just fine, like the Sooners were under Stoops. I do sincerely believe that LR is coaching under ridiculously difficult times. Maybe he deserves some major… Read more »
All great points but my attention span is so short that I will just respond to the last one – the play calling. I too have seen no evidence that LR is a great play caller – or he is just guilty of not putting enough options on the play card in the first place. His offensive game was completely missing options to defuse an overly aggressive defense. The memo got out on that, and Caleb’s tendencies led him to react in the worst possible way. And it was never adjusted or fixed as a matter of coaching in later… Read more »
Rock,
The two major programs totally botching the NIL are SC and Clemson. Clemson is far worse than SC. I think SC is paying for some of the talent, particularly the transfers. Given the free transfer, I think I would rather sign kids who are more mature on the first transfer (then they cannot leave). A high school kid is simply too big an unknown for me (but there will clearly be exceptions – think of what Reggie would command in this market).
Today’s recruiting is all about show me the money. Right or wrong that is how the game is played. We need to be able to match the other big programs largesse then sell them the benefits of showing your skils in the Southern California market. It goes without saying that we have to offer true, elite-level player development–all these kids think they will be All-Pros in the NFL.
Lincoln Riley on “wavering” recruits (Ryan Pellum)
“Listen, the guy that wavers on Signing Day is gonna waver when something doesn’t go his way here. He’s gonna waver when he’s not the starter as a true freshman coming right out. He’s gonna waver when somebody on the outside tells him he should look somewhere else.”
National Signing Day 2023: Alabama, Texas, Oregon among teams trending up for 2024 with Florida, USC, Clemson trending down USC Rank: No. 20 Andrew Ivins (247Sports) — Take a look at the highest-ranked players on a USC football roster that ranked No. 8 in the 247Sports Team Talent Composite. Of the six former 5-stars on the roster, four are leaving, leaving behind, as are the two highest-rated 4-stars, Raleek Brown and Mario Williams. For every major loss like Caleb Williams, there’s a “meh” loss like Malachi Nelson, who had clearly fallen out of Lincoln Riley’s favor, or a Korey Foreman, the former top recruit who just… Read more »
Absolutely “tougher” is our biggest need at this point, to make any transition upward. Can’t help but believe the national audiences watching the Trojans were shocked at how poor the defensive play was on the field. Not just talent wise, but fundamentally. The pressers minimizing wasn’t helpful, but probably thought they were. Too similar to his predecessor. In hindsight, the contorted faced, disgusted, “changes are gonna be made” rants you see from a Saban, Harbaugh, Day, Brian Kelly, etc., might have made some difference in perception. Im leaning positive on our new D staff. Seeing the kids at least being… Read more »
Well…….if I had enough confidence in Riley I would be thinking this class combined with last year is a start. Instead I’am thinking……. show me. By late next year several of the recruits from last year and even a few from this year better be playing successfully in our lineup…….or……..
LR has definitely put himself behind the 8-ball in the minds of many based on the totally cratered 2023 USC season, which he fully cultivated.
Like you, I’m taking a wait-and-see approach to this year’s new Trojans, especially the Portal entrants, which is a lot more sane approach. Fool me once, you know?
“Player development” is one of the new catchphrases for USC football. We’ll see if USC’s new staff is up to the task. LR’s first staff sure wasn’t.
When was the last time you heard of an SC player suffering a serious injury in practice? That says everything about why the media is not allowed to observe practice after the first 10 mins. We know what they are NOT doing there based upon the inept organization and missed tackling in games that is very Cat-era like.
LR had better change everything, or the same results are coming.
I do have confidence in Riley, and here is why. First of all the hires on defense. Rock solid. Then, he didn’t put Nelson on a pedestal, instead wanting him to develop, which he hasn’t, the effect was he kept Moss as #2. I do believe Curtis, like RJJ said, had a come to Jesus meeting with Lynn, and now that Grinch is gone, Curtis knew his position was not an automatic anymore. He had to earn it and he had not progressed. Domani is actually not a big loss, unless of course we blame his shortcomings on Donte, which… Read more »
Chris, As I wrote above, I have all the confidence in the world that SC is now in the process of putting together a quality NIL program for the football team. It may take a year or so, but I am confident it will get done. SC is obviously far behind our competition in seeking the elite HS players.
USC has already received LOI’s from the following preps during the early signing period which began yesterday This list will be updated through Dec 22 1 LB Elijah Newby, CT, 4-star, June commit 2 LB Desman Stephens II, MI, 3-star, late Nov commit 3 EDGE Kameryn Fountain, GA, 4-star, June commit 4 EDGE Lorenzo Cowan, GA, 3-star, late flip from KY 5 S Jarvis Boatwright, FL, 3-star, June commit 6 IOL Jason Zandamela, FL, 4-star, June commit, early enrollee 7 OL/G Makai Saina, TX, 3-star, June commit 8 CB Braylon Conley, TX, 3-star, summer enrollee 9 RB Bryan Jackson, TX, 3-star, early enrollee 10 EDGE Jide Abasiri, MN, 3-star, late flip from MINN 11 IDL Carlon Jones, TX, 4-star, over OHIO ST… Read more »
“Large human beings,” Riley grinned on Wednesday. “Large, large human beings.”
Bowl Contest Update:
Scoochnew is the leader with 3 wins and he was also the only person to pick Northwestern.
Click on the link for an updated scorecard. https://trojandailyblog.com/tdb-college-football-bowl-contest-2023/
I cannot believe all the upsets. Utah was favored by 10.5 points. So far 10 out of 18 bowl games have been upsets.
With all the opt outs it’s a real crap shoot. USC has 24 players out and Louisville has 12. Who knows how that game will go. Utah had a pretty anaemic offense last night. I’m hoping to go 50% in my picks before New Year’s Day.
Pretty amazing, Utah had to play with its 3rd and 4th string QBs and got completely shut down. Boise State had to play a QB who had never taken a snap in a live game. I have no idea what will happen in the SC game. Candidly, or in any of these games. Does make them very interesting. The game that is really interesting to me in the FSU/GA game. I think FSU has a ton of play sitting it out.
I think this year’s bowl matchups overall are as good as I can remember, though it’s just too bad so many of the best players opt out for varying reasons.
Given the current massive turnover and turmoil the game of CFB finds itself in, that’s kind of a remarkable unexpected bonus, at least for me!
Last night the turnovers did Utah in. It was interesting to see how one of the midlevel B1G teams handled one of the most physical teams in the PAC12. I think there is a lot to be concerned about next year.
It is amazing how many upsets occur in sports which is why the teaser cards, super teaser cards and pick-em games work so well for the casinos. The average fan is so sure that the extra points (3-3.5)on the teaser card or (5-6) points on the super teaser will guarantee them a win, but upsets happen!!
Merry Christmas, Allen, John, and all TDBers. For over 4 years, my first-thing-in-the-morning ritual has been a cup of coffee with the TDB.
Christmas cheer to all!
Merry Christmas Allen, John, and all my friends at TDB!
I see a whole lot of really good players in this class but they will have to do a lot better if they want to win an NC
Kiffin Beats Lanning for Prized Transfer Former Texas A&M Aggies DL Walter Nolen Commits To Ole Miss Rebels on Christmas Eve Walter Nolen is headed back close to home after a two-year stay in College Station. Cole Thompson (si.com) — Walter Nolen isn’t leaving the SEC after all. According to multiple reports, Nolen will transfer to Ole Miss for the 2024 season. The former No. 1 defensive recruit will have two years of eligibility remaining in Oxford. Nolen visited campus last weekend after visiting Oregon the weekend prior. Born in Mississippi before moving to Tennessee, Nolen had previously considered Ole Miss… Read more »
Even Mississippi is spending more than SC. It just seems that SC is always a day late and a dollar short
Given that Northwestern beat Utah at their own game – with D, I thought the board might like to know that the HC of Northwestern was North Dakota State’s DC prior to taking the Northwestern job last year. LR just hired North Dakota State’s HC as our LB coach. Our D is going to be MUCH better next year. SC is very much in a rebuilding process, but at least, I think LR is getting the foundation correct.
The soundness and possible excellence of LR’s latest crop of incoming Portals will be a big deal. Last year’s haul showed some real overall prospect evaluation weaknesses. Hopefully, that won’t rear its head again.
I agree with you RJ, now we have to be patient and watch it get built, and stay off the kool aid.😂
Recruiting experts are tearing into LR’s approach to early signing period letting top SoCal athletes escape to the Michigans, Georgias & Bama if not Oregon. Seems LR may be gun shy going after these 4 & 5 star players he feels will wavier or holding their hands out for the most bidding for their signings? Feeling the loss of his last year top recruits may have him leaning even more prominently on the “quick fix” Portal and not making an all out commitment to building depth as the other top programs have succeeded. You hate to see out of State… Read more »
The answer is USC has to get the monies out front to compete for the So. Cal prima donnas. Right now USC has shot itself in the foot and fallen way behind other schools. I think it kills Riley more than any of us to see it happening, but college football is not about loyalty or committment anymore, unless you are committed to making the most money you can. It isn’t because Riley is not trying as I do believe he is.
Merry Christmas TDB. Last night the local (San Diego)news was excited about 5 buses arriving full of Trojans. They briefly spoke to “the Trojan starting quarterback.” Anyway the team practiced and the band is in town so what could be better?
Aren’t you glad we don’t have to deal with this problem anymore?
Happy Holidays Alex!
Happy Holidays to each and every one of you extraordinary TDBers and Merry Christmas to all as we close in on Xmas Eve and eventually a lot more peace on earth, if possible. 🎅 🎅 ✌
Thank you and the same back at you. Your site adds a lot of fun and enjoyment to a lot of lives.
Allen and John, may your days be merry and bright. Merry Christmas and thank you for doing such a great job with this blog.
Thank you and same to you and your family. In January it will be 5 years that TDB has been up and running.
Merry Christmas to all.
As expected, Calen is going pro. Good luck, Calen. We are excited to watch you on Sunday.
I’m impressed with Utah’s NIL deals. Last Friday they announced all members of MBB, WBB, and W Gymnastics teams will get a free car lease for the year, a Jeep Cherkee or Ram truck. Continuing to promote teamwork by sharing the wealth. USC are you watching? More group deals need to be promoted at SC.
Bronny and Caleb got $8.5 million, for 2 guys. Every scholarship FB player could get $100K each with that. I know, I’m sure Lebron got most of those deals for Bronny but still the collectives need to get their act together.
They do not get that from USC collectives. They make that money from endorsements. Bronny makes it from his social media accounts. It’s the way that NIL should be, kids can make money from their own celebrity That is how those two are out ahead of most everyone. Bronny has made millions off his social media since he was about 14.
I figured Bronny got his cause of who his dad is and Caleb from the TV adds. Still like the share the wealth additude at Utah rather than a few get big deals at USC.
I think we all acknowledge the obvious – “pay for play” NIL has completely changed collegiate recruiting. From what Allen has posted, it appears that SC is having trouble facing this reality. I think SC will figure it out, but as Rock has noted, we are missing out in the elite preps. Rock again pointed out that dispute what LR says, if OR has a solid “pay for play” program in place with incentives if you do well, why would a kid come to SC over OR? I mean if I am told you get $60k (plus the scholarship) to… Read more »
IMO you have described the situation very well. The old days……are the old days. College football is now a huge business that has very little to do with the college colors the players wear except for location, pay and facilities. Just a minor league for the NFL. Ask a good portion of the players on the Chicago Bears where they live…..most will reluctantly admit they have a second home in Florida, which is much bigger than their official residence in Chicago. Very few of the elite players care about a degree. USC, if it wants to be an elite program… Read more »
It’ll be interesting to see how and if the new world order of college football affects fans’ interest, and specifically their allegiance to their teams and favorite players. I think this is an extremely muddy area, especially since students at schools could end up less attached to their football traditions given the now radical yearly revolving door of players. Once the college players become employees, with collective bargaining and all, and W2 forms are left in players’ lockers, I hope the fanbases don’t become more detached, because it’s the passion for college football that always made it the greatest sport… Read more »
Frankly, if I were still young I’d like to research that interesting question. It’s what this is all about. Does not seem to hurt the professionals at all. I’am wondering when colleges stop allowing students to attend games for a large discount.
The farce of the curtain which the NCAA maintained over the cash has now dropped and the wizard of oz is there for all to see.
Have to agree with the train of thought, but like most do not like where it is going. Gone is the day of play for the good old alma mater. Play for the school and its tradition like Rudy for ND. Gone are the traditions of football and the values that are lost. For a elite 5 star few it is all about the money. But for the others the old values can still matter. Do it for the Gipper, etc. It is a shame when money is more important than human values but it is not that way for… Read more »
Yes, the cat’s all the way out of the bag now. I agree that it is all a big shame in some respects. But the system could never remain the way it was, not in America at least.
The old college try has been replaced by business as usual. Hopefully, we’ll all adapt to the entirely new face of college football. I firmly believe tradition-rich USC will too. And as you suggest, some good players will still choose USC because of numerous reasons that aren’t entirely tied to immediate money.
I read a Facebook article ranking the recruitment in the B1G so far. I don’t know how accurate it is, but USC was number five and Ucla was seventeen. Even if it’s a pipedream, it made me smile for a while.
8-5 Bruin football is so bizarre. They easily smash up a harmless, disinterested USC team in the Coliseum. Then one week later the Bruhorns get totally bombed big time by traditional loser CAL at the Rose Bowl. Woo hoo! Then in the L.A. Bowl, BOISE ST routs Chip Kelly’s bunch in the first half, but the Bruins explode in the second half to win going away 35-22. Winning that game seemed to do the Bruins a lot of good actually. It’s easy to say USC winning the Holiday Bowl doesn’t really matter. But I can’t help but wish USC beats… Read more »
As to the Boise State game, I thought the difference was in the first half, Chip played Schlee and in the second half he played Garbers. Why Chip did that, I have no idea.
TrojanRJJ, I agree with you. I don’t follow UCLA football much, but Garbers certainly had a good game against us. I don’t think Schlee played much at all this year, so Chip’s decision seemed odd to me.
FSU decision could trigger move for UNC to leave ACC per college analyst Zack Pearson (Tar Heels Wire/Yahoo Sports) — It appears as if missing out on the College Football Playoff was the last straw for Florida State in staying with the Atlantic Coast Conference. After rumors swirled in the Summer that the Seminoles were part of a handful of teams looking to leave the conference, the university has scheduled a Board of Trustees meeting on Friday to begin the process of pursuing an exit from the ACC. And it’s a move that could have a big impact on… Read more »
Seems really stupid to me. Where will they go? They seem to be assuming that the SEC will give them full membership. I know if I was AL or GA, I would block it. Does the SEC kick out Vandy and replace it with FSU? Why would the SEC do that? Given the 12 team playoff, why not stay in the ACC and be assured of a playoff spot every year. Makes no sense to move out the ACC. I think Chip Kelly had the correct answer, but that is simply not going to happen with the SEC and the… Read more »
Standing room only expected to watch USC/UCLA women’s hoops coming up
Undefeated No. 2 UCLA (11-0) “welcomes” No. 6 USC (10-0) and spectacular 6-2 frosh guard JuJu Watkins to Pauley Pavilion on Dec 30 at 5 pm PT for a historical contest.
The Pac-12 opening matchup will be the first time UCLA and USC have met as two top-10 teams since 1981, and the first time they’ve both been undefeated.
Here’s The Cat greeting a few of his new “warriors” on LOI Day (#90 class). Don’t you totally miss this guy, now 12-14 with two crap bowl losses as the lead Eagle Warrior?
I have to admit, I thought “Oh ya baby, I love fast people in the mornin’,” was pretty cute for a carnival barker!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1737640845367722035
In a word, No.
Kamari Ramsey from ucla commits. Defense!!
Awesome! Callen seems like he is going pro. This will be a great pickup. Not sure what we are going to do with 4 guys who can start – Ramsey, branch, pierce, Arnold.
I was thinking what USC can do if they continue to refuse pay for play. First follow Utah, announce each scholarship player in FB and Men`s BB get a base deal, say $100K and a free car lease. Further deals possible for starters, less for 2nd string or special circumstances deals. They will need a couple years to show what has been done. It will take 2-3 yrs for that and even then they will lose out on many 5*s who can get guaranteed money.
GT, I am not certain what the answer is. If you are going to pay legit dollars to kids to play, I would rather have a proven commodity. I think Texas is right that you need a base for OL and DL and probably LBs, with the stars who perform getting more. The one reform that makes sense is to force disclosure of what kids are getting paid by “pay for play” NILs, rather than “earn it” NILs. But, I think SC must have a rational “pay for play” NIL in place, however, they want to do it. It is… Read more »
Right now much of this NIL money is being overspent on preps not close to worth it. How much, I don’t know. Maybe it’s just the cost of doing business.
But NIL money suppliers deserve to have a better understanding of just what their dollars are paying for. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
Allen, we really do not know how much is being spent. But is clear GA, AL, tOSU, Miami, and FSU are paying significant dollars for their preps and stars. I wonder what the budget is for this. Nike clearly has a handle on the market. How about an NIL disclosure rule for preps?
Add Oregon, Auburn, Texas, A&M , Tennessee, Penn State and Ole Miss to that list. Their collectives are organized and doing a great job in helping bring kids to those schools.
It is also clear that those schools have some better, more talented recruiters than USC does. So does ORE, without any doubt whatsoever. Hopefully, USC’s new coaching additions will help USC make a better impression on the recruiting trail.
I have no idea what the real truth is about how much each school (via their collectives) is actually laying out in broad-based NIL money. That would be some info that would be so enlightening to learn.
On3 lists the top 100 preps by NIL value, from $138K to $800K. Alabama has signed players with an NIL value of $1.6 million so far.
Allen, my guess is that those schools have a very strong link between the recruiters and the NIL “pay for play” organizations. I seriously doubt that having a strong recruiter without a strong and well managed “pay for play” organization will work. My guess is you need both. These arrangements are I think in technical violation of the NCAA rules, but as everyone has them, the rule is in effect has been repealed. The NCAA had to go after A&M when it set up the first set of organized collectives – it did not and hence everyone (many of whom,… Read more »
One thing you may not be aware of is that Ryan Pellum has always had very strong family connections to ORE, and in a big-time football way. His uncle, Don Pellum, recently retired in 2021 as UCLA’s LB coach since 2018. But before being with the Bruins, Uncle Don, who played LB for the Ducks from ’80-84, also coached with the ORE Ducks after being a grad asst there. Pellum actually had an incredibly long nearly 30-year career with ORE as a defensive coach from 1988 until 2016. During Pellum’s exceptionally extensive tenure at ORE as an asst, he was… Read more »
Allen, Thanks for the info. It does make what went on a bit clearer, but I think it does not change the fundamental point that Rock made. Why was the kid committed to SC for over a year given his family ties to OR (and they are quite extensive)? My guess (and it is only a guess) was that in the beginning OR did not offer the kid enough money to go to OR (his uncle may well have told him to hold out and commit to SC until OR upped the offer). That at the end OR (for whatever… Read more »
We never change each others’ minds here. Good for us! Everyone has their own perspectives — and very valid reasons for them. I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of kids decommit from schools very publicly for dozens of reasons after long, seemingly solid, unbreakable commitments. Since I come from a 30-year career in recruiting, I can’t help but see some things much differently (to a fault), and place a lot more value than you may do on other aspects of great recruiting, superior coaches, program stability, geographical and family prefs, etc. The list is very long. That certainly doesn’t make me… Read more »
Not a huge Chip Kelly fan, but what he said after bowl game about where college football should go is 100% on point. Ditch the NCAA, grab the power 4 conferences and get it done. It would keep regional rivalries, solve the pay for play, and make the playoff decisions much easier.
Chip signed 10 3-star preps yesterday (#66 rank). I can’t wait to see how his Portal addiction works out.
The fact he was able to mercilessly abuse USC on the field last month was a memory that I hope LR never forgets.
Did you hear his take? It made perfect sense to me.
No. But who wouldn’t want the NCAA blown to bits? Great start.
Here’s some of it. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wZS_YGrpcSM&pp=ygUeY2hpcCBrZWxseSBvbiBjb2xsZWdlIGZvb3RiYWxs
Another thing I heard A LOT today that I DO AGREE with >>>>> “Because of the draft and portal and other things these 2023 Bowl Game are just GLORIFIED Spring Practices” <<<<< I gotta agree with that !
I posted as much about a week ago and agree totally. With so many of USC’s players gone for the Holiday Bowl, I now see the game primarily as a great chance to see these younger Trojan players. I’d sure like to get back on the winning bowl track (didn’t we used to be called America’s #1 Bowl team?), but the entire bowl scenario is basically geared toward the playoffs now. The lesser bowls mean even less now, but hopefully they’re great for the interested players, so that’s what really matters With 12 teams in the playoffs for 2024, USC… Read more »
USC is #1 in the Rose Bowl. Outside of that they are 50-50 in bowls.
Very true USC’s media guide still always refers to us as America’s Bowl Team, so I’m sticking with it! USC’s Rose Bowl Record (25 – 9) 1923–USC 14, Penn State 3 1930–USC 47, Pittsburgh 14 1932–USC 21, Tulane 12 1933–USC 35, Pittsburgh 0 1939–USC 7, Duke 3 1940–USC 14, Tennessee 0 1944–USC 29, Washington 0 1945–USC 25, Tennessee 0 1946–Alabama 34, USC 14 1948–Michigan 49, USC 0 1953–USC 7, Wisconsin 0 1955–Ohio State 20, USC 7 1963–USC 42, Wisconsin 37 (I became a USC fan for good this day) 1967–Purdue 14, USC 13 1968–USC 14, Indiana 3 1969–Ohio State 27,… Read more »
Couple of Sports channels on TV this afternoon (in the NY Metro area at least) in their College Football shows Speculated that Florida State may have ALREADY pushed the 1st few dominoes that will lead to FSU Leaving the ACC .
I hope FSU finds a way to split from the ACC. They have a raw deal. Let chaos reign!
And If FSU can make that happen will Clemson and Miami be far behind ???
And where will they go? The 40 team super league.
At this stage, they believe anything would be better than the low-paying ACC, which is basically doomed to CFB subservience to the B1G and SEC going forward.
The ACC is a basketball conference. Always has been.
What was it Gomer Pyle was Famous for saying ??? SURPRISE …..SURPRISE ….. SURPRISE ….. Some Websites Declaring Georgia and Alabama #1 and # 2 in recruiting right now .Again I say >>>>> SURPRISE …..SURPRISE ….. SURPRISE !!!!!
Look at the teams that got the 5* players yesterday. Those are the ones with a pay for play deals for 5*s. Those that don`t get 5*s won’t do it or don’t have the dough. SC will not get 5* players without it. 2 or 3 years of that and LR may bolt to where they do especially if he can get 8 or 9 wins a year with 4*s.
I don’t really think LR is in that much demand right now. He’d have to take a big step down.
And if he did bolt, then I guess all his blustery talk about loving yesterday’s wonderful signees for “sticking with USC through thick and thin” is just total BS. If so, that would be too bad, yet so coach-like.
In 2 or 3 years he may be in demand.
Then obviously LR will have figured out how to make USC successful again, and we’ll be in a much, much better position to replace him. Sounds good to me.
USC continues to get smashingly negative reviews about yesterday’s signing effort. This one comes by way of Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, who emphasized USC’s notable California losses: Southern California This is a largely underwhelming class that might be a reflection of the Trojans’ extremely underwhelming second year under coach Lincoln Riley. USC missed on all five of California’s top recruits: quarterback Julian Sayin (Alabama), defensive lineman Aydin Breland (Oregon), offensive tackle Brandon Baker (Texas), linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (Notre Dame) and cornerback Zabien Brown (Alabama). The Trojans did compile a nice class of interior offensive linemen, which will definitely help, and… Read more »
Jen Cohen is our secret weapon. Here’s what newly named 2023 Coach of the Year Kalen DeBoer, who was hired by Cohen, said about her when she left UW for USC: “Obviously, I feel strongly [about the news of Cohen’s departure],” DeBoer said. “She’s the one that brought me here. I don’t think there’s a person here who works for her or even the student-athletes who wouldn’t feel like they were more than 100% supported by her every single day. You walk into a facility every day, or you were working, and you knew she was doing everything she could… Read more »
I don’t know if we have a Phil Knight who can fund the entilre NIL program, but USC could do the same thing that they started probably 25 years ago to fund the scholarships for the football team. They endowed each position for the football team. My parents were part of the original group of donors. They just did the starters at first and they did it by position. Willie McGinnest was the starter whose scholarship my parents endowed. Maybe we can do a similar program to get a pool of money as an endowment to fund an an annual… Read more »
ATL, I think you nailed it in these two posts. SC is going to need to shift its donations from the school to NIL entities. I think most of the schools in the B1G and SEC have already made the shift. To the best of my knowledge, SC has not. OR is truly unique and right now has a huge advantage over SC – its NIL is funded and administered by a corporation in the sports business. OR will NOT have that advantage over most schools in the B1G. It did, however, dominate the PAC in this regard. I am… Read more »
As I understand it, it’s not necessarily a funding problem. The collectives are pretty well funded and getting better under Jen. The major problem is philosophy. We do not want anything that would be considered a straight pay for play, which is what most everyone else is doing. I’ve heard it from the 247 guys and the ESPN recruiting guy. So we can have full coffers but unless we come in with up front offers like the others, we are playing catch up. Also, we need to get the collectives under one umbrella. They are acting independently.
The truth is, USC already has the money, and plenty of contributors to make a more centralized NIL payment system work just fine. But the school just doesn’t want to pay for preps, and that includes Lincoln Riley. It’s basically a policy decision, an ideological stand about building a team. There are drawbacks to paying for preps, which is technically still against the rules. But USC’s gonna have to come around and start doling out moola to the preps in greater amounts if it wants to compete with the elite. Right now, LR’s trying to buck that reality, while he’s… Read more »
True. Dabo Sweeney has an ideological stand on the portal, and look where his program is headed.
Money to just show up on an official visit is crazy. It’s already a free vacation. I wouldn’t want any part of those kids.
They’ll be demanding appearance fees before long just to visit a school.
Consider Texas A&M’s return on investment in NIL. There are no magic bullets. LR needs a coherent plan, and if we’re losing guys we want, all legal options must be on the table. I don’t like LR’s after-the-fact circular rationale that someone not choosing us or waffling in their choice means we’re better off without them and we dodged a bullet. That’s ridiculous. Choosing a college destination for these players who have prepped for this their whole lives is a big choice, and sometimes players legitimately struggle with their options down to the time ink is put to paper. And… Read more »
Circular, for sure. I think I recall him saying something about (not verbatim) “putting up the fence around Southern California” when he first landed here. It’s still a great plan and goal, but since he hasn’t been successful at it, is no longer a goal?
Right. A lot of rationalizing going on around here.
LR has undoubtedly made a giant fool of himself over the past year. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s stupid. But since I know he’s not, I could use other words like naive, short-sighted, delusional, immature, misguided, egotistical, stubborn, arrogant, a little paranoid, and totally lucky he somehow got the $100 mil USC job without any proof he could rebuild USC instead of just running it on auto-pilot after it was cruising along just fine, like the Sooners were under Stoops. I do sincerely believe that LR is coaching under ridiculously difficult times. Maybe he deserves some major… Read more »
All great points but my attention span is so short that I will just respond to the last one – the play calling. I too have seen no evidence that LR is a great play caller – or he is just guilty of not putting enough options on the play card in the first place. His offensive game was completely missing options to defuse an overly aggressive defense. The memo got out on that, and Caleb’s tendencies led him to react in the worst possible way. And it was never adjusted or fixed as a matter of coaching in later… Read more »
As far as I’m concerned, LR runs the Caleb Hero Ball offense. It works great when you’re playing cupcakes like in 2022. 2023, not so much.
Rock,
The two major programs totally botching the NIL are SC and Clemson. Clemson is far worse than SC. I think SC is paying for some of the talent, particularly the transfers. Given the free transfer, I think I would rather sign kids who are more mature on the first transfer (then they cannot leave). A high school kid is simply too big an unknown for me (but there will clearly be exceptions – think of what Reggie would command in this market).
Right RJJ. In today’s day and age, we would lose Reggie to Oregon or even ND over NIL. That’s gotta change.
Today’s recruiting is all about show me the money. Right or wrong that is how the game is played. We need to be able to match the other big programs largesse then sell them the benefits of showing your skils in the Southern California market. It goes without saying that we have to offer true, elite-level player development–all these kids think they will be All-Pros in the NFL.
How long will this process take? I don’t know….
Lincoln Riley on “wavering” recruits (Ryan Pellum)
“Listen, the guy that wavers on Signing Day is gonna waver when something doesn’t go his way here. He’s gonna waver when he’s not the starter as a true freshman coming right out. He’s gonna waver when somebody on the outside tells him he should look somewhere else.”
https://youtu.be/kE1VKTJayZY
National Signing Day 2023: Alabama, Texas, Oregon among teams trending up for 2024 with Florida, USC, Clemson trending down USC Rank: No. 20 Andrew Ivins (247Sports) — Take a look at the highest-ranked players on a USC football roster that ranked No. 8 in the 247Sports Team Talent Composite. Of the six former 5-stars on the roster, four are leaving, leaving behind, as are the two highest-rated 4-stars, Raleek Brown and Mario Williams. For every major loss like Caleb Williams, there’s a “meh” loss like Malachi Nelson, who had clearly fallen out of Lincoln Riley’s favor, or a Korey Foreman, the former top recruit who just… Read more »
Absolutely “tougher” is our biggest need at this point, to make any transition upward. Can’t help but believe the national audiences watching the Trojans were shocked at how poor the defensive play was on the field. Not just talent wise, but fundamentally. The pressers minimizing wasn’t helpful, but probably thought they were. Too similar to his predecessor. In hindsight, the contorted faced, disgusted, “changes are gonna be made” rants you see from a Saban, Harbaugh, Day, Brian Kelly, etc., might have made some difference in perception. Im leaning positive on our new D staff. Seeing the kids at least being… Read more »
Well…….if I had enough confidence in Riley I would be thinking this class combined with last year is a start. Instead I’am thinking……. show me. By late next year several of the recruits from last year and even a few from this year better be playing successfully in our lineup…….or……..
LR has definitely put himself behind the 8-ball in the minds of many based on the totally cratered 2023 USC season, which he fully cultivated.
Like you, I’m taking a wait-and-see approach to this year’s new Trojans, especially the Portal entrants, which is a lot more sane approach. Fool me once, you know?
“Player development” is one of the new catchphrases for USC football. We’ll see if USC’s new staff is up to the task. LR’s first staff sure wasn’t.
When was the last time you heard of an SC player suffering a serious injury in practice? That says everything about why the media is not allowed to observe practice after the first 10 mins. We know what they are NOT doing there based upon the inept organization and missed tackling in games that is very Cat-era like.
LR had better change everything, or the same results are coming.
I do have confidence in Riley, and here is why. First of all the hires on defense. Rock solid. Then, he didn’t put Nelson on a pedestal, instead wanting him to develop, which he hasn’t, the effect was he kept Moss as #2. I do believe Curtis, like RJJ said, had a come to Jesus meeting with Lynn, and now that Grinch is gone, Curtis knew his position was not an automatic anymore. He had to earn it and he had not progressed. Domani is actually not a big loss, unless of course we blame his shortcomings on Donte, which… Read more »
Just listened to national media guys talk about recruiting classes. They acknowledged that USC is trailing in NLI approach for two reasons.
the programs that have really made strides in NLI are recruiting like it. Tennessee, Auburn, FSU were mentioned.
Oregon and Miami both have mega donors who just wrote the check.
Chris, As I wrote above, I have all the confidence in the world that SC is now in the process of putting together a quality NIL program for the football team. It may take a year or so, but I am confident it will get done. SC is obviously far behind our competition in seeking the elite HS players.
USC has already received LOI’s from the following preps during the early signing period which began yesterday This list will be updated through Dec 22 1 LB Elijah Newby, CT, 4-star, June commit 2 LB Desman Stephens II, MI, 3-star, late Nov commit 3 EDGE Kameryn Fountain, GA, 4-star, June commit 4 EDGE Lorenzo Cowan, GA, 3-star, late flip from KY 5 S Jarvis Boatwright, FL, 3-star, June commit 6 IOL Jason Zandamela, FL, 4-star, June commit, early enrollee 7 OL/G Makai Saina, TX, 3-star, June commit 8 CB Braylon Conley, TX, 3-star, summer enrollee 9 RB Bryan Jackson, TX, 3-star, early enrollee 10 EDGE Jide Abasiri, MN, 3-star, late flip from MINN 11 IDL Carlon Jones, TX, 4-star, over OHIO ST… Read more »