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
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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
LikeLiked by 3 people
Pete Thamel https://www.footballscoop.com/2025/03/03/report-lincoln-rileys-usc-buyout-around-90-million claims per his “USC sources” that the buyout was about $90 million midway through the 2024 season. If correct, then prorating that to the end of next season would be about $60-$65 million. Still a big pot of $$$.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Once again…
Yes, a lot of money. But not paid out as a lump sum. He merely stays on the payroll through the end of his contract.
That’s why it’ll be interesting if our new coach is making less than our old coach.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Excellent point. With the discounting of future payouts, and taking into account that he will find another job, perhaps a cash out of $40 million could do it at the end of next season. Still a pile of $$$, but you never know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Riley’s gonna be fine in 2026…
#ItAllStartsW/Oregon…
#MeanwhileUSCIsSweepingPurdue
LikeLiked by 2 people
KAM: USC-Cal 6PM tonight!
DON: Go Women of Troy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
KAM: Riley Coyote has a built in excuse for failure this year…
DON: We have to allow time for the team to learn the new defense.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Defense, which you pretty much ignored your first four years at USC! That’s a YOU problem, Lincoln.
LikeLiked by 2 people
SAYS THE GUY WHO ONLY GOES TO HOME GAMES TO WATCH THE BAND PERFORM AT HALFTIME
WANNABE FOOTBALL FAN
LikeLike