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

11 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    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

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      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.

        Liked by 3 people

      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.

        Liked by 1 person

      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

        Liked by 1 person

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

        WANNABE FOOTBALL FAN

        Like

Leave a comment