USC’s OL Remains Unsettled; Where’s the Knockout Punch?

No end in sight for USC’s offensive line competition

After a first game filled with rotation, offensive line coach Josh Henson said players still haven’t separated themselves in position battles

Luca Evans (OC Register —  LOS ANGELES — It was a momentous start, a surprise responsibility to help protect the best quarterback in college football suddenly dropped in the lap of a true freshman. And so before Alani Noa’s first USC start on Saturday at left guard against San Jose State, he consulted captain Justin Dedich (below), the senior center smiling at the memory.

“He’s like, ‘Are you nervous at all, before the game?’” Dedich told reporters postgame Saturday. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, little bit! But you’ll be all right, big dog. It’s all part of it.’”

It was a move that spoke to the coaching staff’s trust in Noa, a freshman from Grant High in Sacramento who has drawn effusive praise from Coach Lincoln Riley and a wide variety of vets on USC’s front. He’d improved rapidly and “shown consistency like a veteran,” as Riley said, and has earned respect for his discipline.

“That kid, he’s really physical,” senior Gino Quinones said. “Once he gets down to play, he’s gonna be really dangerous. Really dangerous.”

It was also a move, however, that spoke to a major theme throughout USC’s start this fall season: the offensive line competition, which was discussed from the first weeks of camp and appears no closer to its resolution.

Noa (77) started Saturday, yes, but returning lineman Emmanuel Pregnon cycled in frequently, playing just two fewer snaps at guard by the end of the fourth quarter. And the Trojans’ offensive line pulled off a sort of Cupid Shuffle on Saturday – Dedich (at center) and Jonah Monheim (left tackle) the only linemen to play all 53 snaps, with six more all playing roughly in the same range. The starting five, ultimately, hardly mattered against San Jose State.

People have not separated themselves at practice yet,” offensive line coach Josh Henson said. “So it’s kind of like – we’re going on Round 13 of a championship bout, and one judge scores it 155 to 153, the next judge 152 to 155 – I don’t know who won. Everybody thinks a different guy won.”

“So I’m just waiting for somebody to quit throwing body blows,” Henson said, “and throw some knockout punches.”

And to Henson’s assessment: per Pro Football Focus’ player grade system, no one Trojan offensive lineman truly separated themselves in terms of blocking quality. Quinones (66) emerged as the Round 12 winner of sorts Saturday, earning the highest grade – a solid 74.5 – narrowly over tackle Jonah Monheim’s 73.5.

“He’s been one of our five most consistent players … made himself a really key, valuable member of our offensive line,” Riley said of Quinones on Tuesday.

So, assuming Dedich is entrenched at center and Monheim and Quinones each fill a tackle and a guard slot – that leaves Noa versus Pregnon for another guard spot, and an ongoing battle between redshirt sophomore Mason Murphy and Florida transfer Michael Tarquin at the other tackle.

Riley said Tuesday, after heavy rotations against San Jose State, that “I don’t know if we’ll plan to use that many” against Nevada – but that shuffling would continue if competitions continued. Hence:

“We’re probably in the same mode for this next game,” Henson said Wednesday.

On to Round 13.

ocregister.com

________

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Chris
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Chris
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August 31, 2023 8:16 pm

Florida is a bad football team, their QB is terrible. Utah is average without Cam. But they will be really good when he is back.

Steveg
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Steveg
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August 31, 2023 7:43 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I thought either Utah is pretty darn good or Florida is pretty darn bad. Utah looks solid for sure.

HOF19
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HOF19
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August 31, 2023 6:16 pm

Are the NY Area Newpapers Actually right about UCONN ??? They have been suspecting that people are underestimating UCONN . (Tonight UCONN is a 17 to 14 point underdog vs NC State ) and as I am typing this UCONN is driving the field and trying to take the lead with about 10 minutes left 3rd quarter . UCONN’s head coach is Jim Mora .

Jalenbuck1
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August 31, 2023 6:03 pm

2 things that are going to be looked at closely, OL and the defense, teams are gearing their attack and know how to attack. The offense can obviously score but you gotta stop somebody. I need to see clean tackling and minimmal yards after contact,

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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August 31, 2023 5:35 pm

The Disney Co pulled all programming including ESPN channels from Spectrum (my cable co) at game time. A contract dispute. No notice. Spectrum says they made a fair offer but Disney wants a huge increase.
Last time I visit Orlando. They can keep their horse crap.

Chris
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Chris
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August 31, 2023 5:25 pm

Florida NT weighs 745 lbs

Chris
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Chris
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August 31, 2023 5:13 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Ok, Utah. Crazy start.

TrojanRJJ
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TrojanRJJ
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August 31, 2023 1:54 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Totally to be expected. His bro got red shirted. And he lives in AL.

RialtoTrojan
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RialtoTrojan
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August 31, 2023 10:23 am

The line rotations need to stop. How does a line gel if they don’t know that they will be allowed to play the next down? My very un scientific solution is to ask Caleb who he wants in front of him. After all didn’t he enhance the receiving corps by asking the coaches to get a player? But all kidding aside if the offense is built on Caleb’s shoulders, shouldn’t he have some say in picking a line? I don’t know about the psychological aspect of playing the O line, but those kids have gotta be wondering what the need… Read more »

Steveg
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Steveg
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August 31, 2023 7:39 pm
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

I know it seems odd as we have never seen so many people going in and out. I have to say I just don’t think Caleb is the guy to pick the O line. He needs to concetrate on being the best in college football. I kind of trust LR to put the best line out there, and as they stand right now everyone has game time experience. Watch what they do this week, maybe I think 8 O linemen will play until he empties the bench, which could be soon, but I am sure he wants his #1 line… Read more »

ATL D.D.S.
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August 31, 2023 10:11 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

fight on brother!

TrojanRJJ
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TrojanRJJ
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August 31, 2023 1:53 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Darn it, Allen! Just as I tried to avoid talking about Grinch, you draw me back in! Mauga also made an NFL Roster. Than means Grinch had four (4) NFL quality seniors on last years D (Mauge, Pili, Tuili, and Blackmon), with the last two potential NFL starters in Year 1. That does not count the number of NFL potential kids he had on the 2022 who returned. (My guess is at least another 4 or 5). And, yet the D stunk. Oh well, maybe having 10 or 15 of them will change things!