One of my concerns with USC’s roster is the offensive line. Some of the starters feel pretty average at best but if they get hurt, the backups look really shaky. I know USC is recruiting Texas A&M center Bryce Foster but I’m surprised the Trojans are not being much more aggressive in the transfer portal with linemen. There’s been more talk about the defensive line, … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: What’s My Line?

USC will play LSU at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 and the game will be on ABC. The USC-Michigan game will kick off at 12:30 p.m. and be on CBS, so it will not be a Fox Big Noon game. Continue reading USC Notes: Early Kickoffs Set

The Big Ten football draft has been going since last week, where the three networks (Fox, CBS, NBC) pick their games. Fox announced its first three games for its Big Noon kickoff: Sept. 7: Texas at Michigan Sept. 14: Alabama at Wisconsin Nov. 30: Michigan at Ohio State The best chance for USC to get in that time slot is Sept. 21 when the Trojans … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Big Ten Draft Underway

Here’s a key number for USC: 10. That is the number of interceptions thrown by quarterback Caleb Williams the past two seasons. He threw five in 2022 and five in 2023. And last season, three of those came in the Notre Dame game, which means he threw 2 interceptions in the other 11 games he played. Whether the quarterback is Miller Moss or Jayden Maiava, … Continue reading Morning Buzz: A Key Number For USC

USC wants defensive end Tyler Baron, who played the past four seasons at Tennessee. Baron had 28 tackles and six sacks last season at Tennessee. He was committed to Mississippi and then Louisville. Yes, this would be his third commitment since the season ended. Miami is also recruiting Baron. What a weekend for the Shrine. The USC Cinema School held its graduation ceremony Friday and … Continue reading Sunday Buzz: USC Wants Defensive End

When I wrote about Parry O’Brien setting a world record in the shot put at the West Coast Relays in Fresno, it highlighted just how big this meet used to be. For example: USC had a publicist who wanted to go to the relays, which were the same day as the spring football game. The publicist made plans to drive up with NFL commissioner Pete … Continue reading The USC Friday Column Supplement

When USC canceled today’s main graduation ceremony two weeks ago, I said Carol Folt was afraid of getting booed. Well, Thursday’s events certainly bolstered that theory. USC held the Student Recognition Ceremony at Bovard Auditorium. Folt always opens the ceremony with her opening remarks. But she was nowhere to be found at Bovard. Keep in mind this event has the Creme de la creme of … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

I hear USC wants to pay around $450,000 to its final basketball assistant coach. How hard can it be to find someone with that salary? Apparently, harder than expected. Eric Musselman wants someone with local ties but that’s still enough money to lure someone. Anyone. Meyer, a two-year starter at Wyoming, had 26 tackles and 3.5 tackles for a loss last season. If Folt kept … Continue reading USC Looking For Line Help

Four-star linebacker Noah Mikhail of Bonita High School in La Verne will announce his commitment on June 30. He has scheduled official visits to USC, Oregon and Texas A&M. The workers formed a union last year and said USC eliminated annual merit-based pay increases. They plan a rally at11 a.m. Friday at the corner of Figueroa St. and McCarthy Way. Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Recruit Sets Commitment Date

Arizona and Michigan State have emerged as front runners recruiting former USC cornerback Ceyair Wright. Eric Musselman also wanted Mississippi assistant coach Wes Flanigan, but was turned down. Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Front Runners For Cornerback

Former Kentucky guard DJ Wagner, who recently visited USC, will visit Arkansas this weekend. That immediately caused two recruiting analysts to predict Wagner would go to Arkansas, where he would be reunited with John Calipari. USC will be playing road games at Indiana, Iowa, Purdue and Wisconsin for the first time 2024-25 BIG TEN OPPONENTS (series record) HOME ^Illinois (0-0) Michigan (1-1) ^Michigan State (2-1) ^Minnesota … Continue reading USC Notes: Shoring Up Special Teams

Oregon’s secondary now features four Southern California players: Dakoda Fields (Gardena Serra), Peyton Woodyard (St. John Bosco), Solomon Davis (Charter Oak) and Rodrick Pleasant (Gardena Serra). Woodyard committed last week after spending this semester at Alabama. Among this group, I’d say Fields and Woodyard are the two to watch. It shows that however Oregon recruits nationally, it is still focused hard on Southern California. And … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Oregon’s Southern California Flavor

In football news, Texas A&M center Bryce Foster visited USC this weekend. This is interesting because USC moved its best lineman, Jonah Monheim, to center for spring practice. Foster started 28 games at Texas A&M, so you can read what you want into this. Continue reading Morning Buzz: Interesting Lineman Visits USC

Lincoln Riley been’s crowing the past couple months about USC’s notable increase in NIL money, cheered on by the eager-beaver media. But when Michigan State defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and Mater Dei linebacker Nasir Wyatt committed to Oregon on Friday, the response was predictable. #Oregon outbid #USC. pic.twitter.com/EOBk0OtZko — Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) May 3, 2024 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Predictable Response In Recruiting

There is a complete difference of opinion about USC between many fans who expect a trip to the expanded College Football Playoff and the oddsmakers, who set the regular-season over/under at 7.5. Who is more likely to be right? It’s a pretty low number (7.5) for USC but the schedule is difficult. The first three games could set the tone with USC playing LSU and … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Who’s Right? The Oddsmakers Or Fans?

It was probably a disappointment for cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace when he was not drafted by an NFL team. But sometimes it still works out. Roland-Wallace got a guaranteed $150,000 deal from the Kansas City Chiefs. That means even if he gets cut, he still gets the money. But if the Chiefs were willing to guarantee $150,000, they probably have plans to keep him. Continue reading USC Notes: Not Getting Drafted Can Still Work Out

USC’s defense is definitely better. It’s offense looks worse. That is the first reaction right now following spring practice, which could change with more transfer portal activity ahead. The question is whether the defense’s improvement offsets the offense’s inexperience/issues? What I like are the Oregon State defensive transfers (Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Akili Arnold) and Mississippi State cornerback transfer (DeCarlos Nicholson). What I don’t like yet is … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: What’s To Like/Dislike After Spring Drills

I’ve been going through USC’s roster and wondering who would be the Trojans’ MVP? It was an easy question the past 2 seasons: Caleb Williams. But now there are multiple candidates, especially with the quarterback position not completely settled. It’s not like there is a marquee tailback, or All-American wide receiver or even a Butkus Award caliber linebacker. One of the better known players, Bear … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Who Is MVP?

Former USC defensive Jamar Sekona is transferring to Hawaii. He’s kept a pretty low profile since leaving USC in November. "We have to go, Carol." 🙄 https://t.co/tvkU1bTQP5 — InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) April 30, 2024 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading Former USC Defensive Tackle Picks School

USC defensive tackle Kyon Barrs and cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace will sign free-agent contracts with NFL teams. Barrs will sign with the Titans and Roland-Wallace is going to the Chiefs. In retrospect, both would have been better off going pro a year ago instead of transferring from Arizona to USC. That’s part of the gamble when you transfer. They didn’t raise their draft stock in the … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Sometimes It Pays To Go Pro

Auburn wide receiver Jay Fair has committed to USC. He caught 31 passes last season. Continue reading Sunday Notes: USC Adds Receiver