FOOTBALL

USC Sunday Buzz: The NFL Draft Reinforced One Stereotype

Two wide receivers (Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane) and a safety who transferred from UCLA (Kamari Ramsey) got drafted yesterday.

This certainly doesn’t do much to dispel the stereotype that Lincoln Riley can develop quarterbacks and wide receivers and everyone else is pretty much left to their talent/work ethic.

Even five of the six free agents transferred from somewhere else.

Here are the USC players who signed with NFL teams:

  • Bishop Fitzgerald, Tennessee Titans.
  • Eric Gentry, Cincinnati Bengals
  • Anthony Lucas, Detroit Lions
  • Lake McRee, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • DeCarlos Nicholson, Cleveland Brown
  • Keeshawn Silver, New Orleans Saints

12 thoughts on “USC Sunday Buzz: The NFL Draft Reinforced One Stereotype”

  1. The 2026 season is pretty much a make or break for Riley. He now has his third D-coordinator since he started, and lots of turnover at position coaches.

    OSU, Indiana, Penn State, Oregon, Udub could all be losses for USC. Not saying they will be, but they are all obviously difficult opponents.

    Does USC let Riley go at 7-5? Or 8-4?

    And as a sidebar, it is amazing how fast Cignetti turned around a program that hadn’t done much for five decades, to what it is now.

    Despite having 8 guys drafted, the Hoosiers over/under is 10.5 wins for 2026, their schedule includes OSU, Michigan, USC, Nebraska, Udub.

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    1. If he is let go, it’ll be interesting to see who they hire and for how much.

      “Instances of an NCAA football coach being hired for less money than their predecessor are relatively rare at the top-tier FBS level due to an upwardly spiraling market, but they do occur, particularly in cases of massive salary “resets” after failed high-priced hires, or when schools hire from within or from lower divisions.” – CBS Sports

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      2. Once again…

        Yes, a lot of money. But not paid out as a lump sum. He merely stays on the payroll through the end of his contract.

        That’s why it’ll be interesting if our new coach is making less than our old coach.

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      3. Excellent point. With the discounting of future payouts, and taking into account that he will find another job, perhaps a cash out of $40 million could do it at the end of next season. Still a pile of $$$, but you never know.

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      4. If the school has to pay him eleven million a year for the next six years, how about making him work for it. He could be the department official who organizes coaching interviews especially with Scott, and he could be in charge of the annual spring game and family day. He earns his money by talking football with Scott. Fight on, Dan, Class of 1962

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      2. SAYS THE GUY WHO ONLY GOES TO HOME GAMES TO WATCH THE BAND PERFORM AT HALFTIME

        WANNABE FOOTBALL FAN

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  2. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but just be prepared for disappointment this season. While hiring Gary Patterson may be a coup for our D, and we certainly always have the talent on both sides of the ball, Lincoln will find a way to underperform. His penchant for the pass, which did thankfully did take a pause a few games the past season, will remain a gameplan staple for the opposition to scheme for. And all teams take on the personality of their HC, which in the case of LR, is very soft. Has LR ever had an undefeated season as an HC? No. 1 loss? No. What was his best record? 2 losses. And after what he has demonstrated so far in his exceedingly long audition as our HC, noone should have the justified confidence that we can get through the upcoming season with only 2 losses. Looking more like 3 as a best case, and potentially as high as 5, although I would greatly welcome being proven wrong.

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