Former USC offensive tackle E.J. Price, who started 10 games at Kentucky last season, has left the program to “pursue other opportunities,” according to a school spokesperson. Price famously got suspended at USC after a game because he got in an argument with Clay Helton’s secretary. Some observers believed Price was in the right and didn’t start the argument but he never returned from the … Continue reading E.J. Price Leaves Kentucky

It must be tough to be a USC recruiting reporter right now. There was nothing but crickets chirping on the commitment of Jordan Berry to LSU. Let’s see: A defensive tackle from Narbonne who was offered by USC chooses LSU and no one says anything? Guess they will wait until Berry says he might still take a visit to USC. Inevitably, someone will say “Berry … Continue reading The Sound Of Silence Hits USC Recruiting

I’ve said if USC makes a coaching change after the season, it can go after recruits who committed elsewhere. But how many will it need to chase? Cornerback Elias Ricks and defensive tackle Jordan Berry committed to LSU. Safety Darion Green-Warren committed to Oklahoma. Calabasas five-star wide receiver Johnny Wilson and four-star wide receiver Jermaine Burton do not have USC in their top schools lists. The hole USC is … Continue reading The Price Of Doing Nothing

I spoke to former USC safety Charles Phillips on Friday about a fascinating topic . . . to me. Phillips always played in high school and at USC with a tooth pick in his mouth. “It started in high school,” Phillips said. “It was just a habit. It was something I did. I never suffered the consequences of doing it, fortunately.” It did not prevent … Continue reading A USC Tradition Involving A Tooth Pick

Steve Sarkisian was just one of seven new assistant coaches announced by Alabama today. Clay Helton is still looking for a strength coach. And Ivan Lewis has been gone for about a month. Continue reading Nick Saban Moves Faster Than Clay Helton

Alabama finally named Steve Sarkisian as offensive coordinator. Nick Saban better keep a tight leash there. Meanwhile, Tee Martin was named Tennessee wide receivers coach,  with additional titles of assistant head coach and passing game coordinator. Poor guy can never coach quarterbacks despite playing quarterback. Continue reading Former USC Coaches Finally Get Official Titles

A columnist said this week that USC fans get indignant over Clay Helton but make no sense because, “after you buy out Helton, who do you hire? I don’t think you can get Dabo.” Here’s a quick point on that theory: Helton is a below-average coach. If you hired a competent coach, USC would be much better off. Media people need to read this to … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

I don’t find it a coincidence USC released a workout video (below) to show how hard they are working out this winter despite lacking a strength coach and criticisms of discipline inside and outside the program. Isn’t it also convenient that one of the players featured is quarterback JT Daniels? He needs some image rehab too after last season and you can bet the USC … Continue reading USC Is Working Hard, Just Ask Them

A coach from a school interested in a USC player who recently entered the NCAA transfer portal said the coaches were giving less-than-glowing reviews about the player. It shows that while it may be easier than ever for a player to transfer, schools/coaches still have ways to try and affect the process. I asked the coach if he gave much weight to what the USC … Continue reading USC Blind Item Of The Day

Now that Signing Day has past, a USC coach told me how the Trojans offered offensive lineman Hunter Hill a scholarship because he was a high school teammate of wide receiver Puka Nacua. That is not unusual but the problem was Nacua decided to stretch his decision and did not choose a school on Signing Day. That meant Hill could have signed with USC on … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Package Deal Blew Up

Elias Ricks, the nation’s top cornerback for 2020 from Mater Dei, attended a combine last weekend at Long Beach City College with his family decked out in LSU gear. He is already committed to LSU even though he is from Southern California and his mother went to USC. But he looks pretty solid for the Tigers based on his family’s attire. Remember that if you … Continue reading USC Needs Cornerbacks And Linemen So Here’s Two

We hear an offensive lineman recently asked Clay Helton if he would play next season? “I always play the best players,” Helton reportedly said. “No you don’t, you played Max Browne over Sam Darnold,” the player responded. Monumentally bad decisions still linger for Helton, apparently. Continue reading The Memory Of Sam Darnold Lingers

I’ve talked to a coach and some players about new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. The reports are that Harrell is a nice guy and seems easy to deal with. But everyone also makes the same comment to me about Harrell. They don’t know if he has the gravitas to decide by himself who starts at quarterback. Kliff Kingsbury wielded complete authority on the quarterback position … Continue reading An Early Report On Graham Harrell

USC interim strength coach Keith Belton is not going to get the full-time job as Clay Helton seeks to hire someone from the outside. This is not surprising but Helton should have decided that four weeks ago instead of now and hired someone instead of dragging his feet like he did with hiring a replacement for Kliff Kingsbury. January and February are crucial months for … Continue reading USC Strength Coach Update

Before I start, a reminder Lynn Swann is at Wilshire Country Club today for the Lynn Swann Golf Tournament. Now, I wonder if Clay Helton has any convictions. Remember when Helton demoted Tee Martin, he said he had been wanting to call plays again. “I’ve had the itch to get back, more integrated with the offense,” he said. “Being in year three of being the … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Clay Helton’s Philosophy Changes Constantly

When UCLA loses a recruit to USC, its fans (and pundits) love to say, “He didn’t have the grades to get into UCLA.” Something similar took place in the past day with Puka Nacua. USC fans fawned over him while he was verbally committed. Now that he signed with Washington, some USC fans say he did not want to compete. That he only cared about … Continue reading Some USC Fans Fall Into A Familiar Recruiting Trap

I spoke to a player today to find out what’s different at USC with all the promises made by Clay Helton and Lynn Swann? “Nothing has changed,” the player said. “A lot of guys are complaining that nothing has changed.” Good to know that outside appearances are apparently accurate because not much has happened on the surface either. Continue reading Do USC Players Notice Any Changes?

USC is ranked No. 19 by Rivals and No. 20 by 247Sports now that wide receiver Puka Nacua is signing with Washington. The 20th ranking is USC’s first since the Trojans’ class was ranked 20th in 2001. But this class doesn’t have Pete Carroll. It has Clay Helton. And 2020 is not off to a great start. Meanwhile, Oregon and Washington just had their highest-ranked … Continue reading USC Almost Makes History In Recruiting But Some Rivals Do

The Friday notes column got delayed, so here is a rare Monday version. Do I think it mattered whether or not Puka Nacua signed with USC? The way Nacua stretched out his commitment for maximum exposure made me think he has a dramatic streak similar to quarterback Tate Martell, who even purchased twitter followers for maximum exposure. And I’m not sure USC needs more drama. … Continue reading If It’s Monday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Here is the video of Clay Helton being interviewed Wednesday night on the “Trojans Live” radio show. Skip forward to the final 20 seconds and you can hear some voices in the background that don’t sound friendly. Continue reading Is This Clay Helton Getting Heckled?

With a worse-than-usual recruiting class, some fans and media have taken the angle that it is better to have three-star recruits because they will be more motivated than five-star recruits. Here’s a question: If Clay Helton cannot develop a five star, how will he develop a three star? How much more motivated have the three-star recruits been that USC got in the past? Keyshawn Young … Continue reading Don’t Believe Recruiting Rationalizations

There was a charitable aspect to Lynn Swann’s trip to Pebble Beach. He competed in the Chevron Shoot-out, which donated a total of $100,000 to the charities chosen by the participants. For example, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers donated his winnings to the North Valley Community Foundation, where he has a foundation to benefit victims of the the Camp Fire in Butte County. Swann and his … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Athletic Dept. Needs Charity

Did you know the Bank of America Lynn Swann Golf Tournament is Feb. 12 at Wilshire Country Club? It was supposed to be Jan. 15 but got rained out. And there are foursomes available. You can play for $750. If you don’t believe me, click here. What is Swann’s weekly schedule like at USC? Monday: Travel day Tuesday: Pebble Beach Pro-Am Wednesday: Lynn Swann Golf … Continue reading The Lynn Swann Golf Tournament Is Near!

Did you see the news about Bob Stoops? He was named coach and GM of the new Dallas franchise of the XFL, which debuts in 2020. So Stoops wants to coach again. If USC cannot land Urban Meyer, it looks like Stoops is available. Either would be a massive improvement and require Lynn Swann to pay more than USC has been willing to pay since … Continue reading What About Bob Stoops?

A fan yelled “worst SC coach ever” toward Clay Helton as he appeared on the Trojans Live radio show at the Lab restaurant next to the Galen Center on Wednesday. Another group chanted, “Fire Helton.” Imagine how toxic the atmosphere will be at the Coliseum next season? It’s not just Helton. You think Lynn Swann minded skipping the recruiting dinner on Wednesday where boosters might … Continue reading Morning Buzz: How Toxic Is USC?

USC is ranked No. 18 by 247Sports but the ranking could drop to No. 20 if wide receiver Puka Nacua goes to Washington, Utah or Oregon. Meanwhile, offensive Chuma Edoga, linebacker Porter Gustin, cornerback Iman Marshall, linebacker Cameron Smith and safety Marvell Tell were invited to the NFL combine later this month. Continue reading USC Recruiting Ranking Not Final

Last night’s recruiting dinner had less than 100 people in attendance. Just for comparison, during the Pete Carroll era they used to hold the event on the floor of the Galen Center. The dinner is usually hosted by the athletic director but Lynn Swann was at Pebble Beach so Steve Lopes was the emcee. It was believed to be the smallest crowd since the event … Continue reading A Recruiting Dinner To Forget