Oregon State safety Akili Arnold committed to USC today, joining his brother, Beavers LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, who committed Saturday night. The Oregon State program develops players (unlike USC), so these are solid pickups for the defense. One question with the new defensive staff is whether the safeties will be coached by D’Anton Lynn or secondary coach Doug Belk. Lynn did not coach safeties at UCLA … Continue reading USC Gets Second Oregon State (Arnold) Commit

New linebackers coach Matt Entz will start at USC sooner-than-he-wanted as North Dakota State lost to Montana, 31-29, in overtime at the FCS semifinals. If North Dakota State had won, Entz wouldn’t have started before Jan. 7. USC will be expected to now land his brother, Oregon State safety Akili Arnold. The brothers are visiting USC this weekend. “That guy is going to be hell … Continue reading Sunday Buzz: Matt Entz Gets Early Start at USC

What a crazy day. USC is going to hire Houston defensive coordinator Doug Belk as its secondary coach. The timing of all this is fairly ridiculous. Donte Williams knew he was out. But Syracuse hired Georgia secondary coach Fran Brown as its head coach, which created an opening. The first thought is why would Georgia, a real program, hire Williams? The key here is Georgia … Continue reading USC Replaces Donte Williams!

Donte Williams announced on twitter that he is departing USC and reportedly for a move to Georgia. This is significant because the defense needs a new secondary coach if USC is to have a serious chance of actually improving. Williams was always more concerned with perception/image than actually developing cornerbacks. Tell me who USC developed at corner under Williams? Mekhi Blackmon and Christian Roland-Wallace were … Continue reading Donte Williams Out At USC

Offensive tackle Michael Tarquin has entered the transfer portal. He came to USC with much fanfare as a transfer from Florida and the son-in-law of Tony Boselli. But he lost his starting job during the season and played sparingly after that. Meanwhile, former USC running back Raleek Brown has committed to Arizona State, which he is visiting this weekend. That was a quick decision for … Continue reading Saturday Transfer Portal Activity

The exodus of wide receivers (Brenden Rice, Tahj Washington, Mario Williams, Michael Jackson) gives Lincoln Riley an excuse to focus on his favorite pastime: Recruiting skill players. It wasn’t a mystery last season that USC struggled in the secondary and at offensive line. But the wide receiver group proved to be a massive disappointment based on pre-season expectations. Now the question is whether there are … Continue reading Saturday Buzz: Wide Receivers Become Unwelcomed Problem