"Have we occasionally run into guys that don't want to come because a high profile guy came in the year before? Absolutely we have," Riley said. Riley explained that the competitive nature on the recruiting trail can actually reveal a prospect's moxie prior to even stepping onto campus: The head coach also shared some insight into his recruiting philosophy Saturday when asked whether he would recruit high-profile athletes in consecutive recruiting classes. He's been able to do everything this spring but the full contact." He stayed really engaged, which is tough to do, especially for a young guy. ![]() And he's handled the injury really well," Riley continued. "So we were excited obviously last year for the impact he would've made for us. And he had generated that among some of our older players." "You always can tell some of the young guys that are going to have a chance to contribute early because the older guys start talking about them right when they get there," Riley explained. Riley also shared the buzz that Branch had generated in player-run practices last summer, prior to his injury: "He fills out the uniform pretty well and he is such a great kid." " like getting a Christmas present and knowing that you can't use it for a whole year," Riley said with a smile. Riley shared his reaction Saturday of when he first saw Branch in uniform last season: ![]() Redshirt freshman safety Zion Branch dressed out for games last year to bond with his teammates, despite undergoing rehab for a season-ending injury at the time. "If he closes spring strong, stays healthy, stays on the field, keeps getting reps, has a great summer he ought to be primed to be a disruptive player for us this fall. He's been a more consistent playmaker six practices in." ![]() "And the kid is really, he's working hard. It is not even close," Riley said emphatically. "He has improved and is such a better player right now than he was 12 months ago. The head coach noted how the defensive lineman has started to "stack good days on top of each other" which is fueling his growth. Junior Korey Foreman is starting to gain some momentum with his work both on the field and off, Riley shared Saturday. I noticed him even quite a bit from the opposite sideline during the game last year. "The conditioning drills, the strength testing and some of the competitive stuff, some of the on-the-field work. "He was really impressive in all of the offseason drills that we did," Riley said. The head coach praised the defensive back for his work ethic so far this spring. "There's more talent, there's more size, there's more strength, there's more competition on the field at every position right now and corner is no different," Riley said.Īrizona transfer Christian Roland-Wallace twisted his ankle during USC's first practice of spring, but the injury is not significant, Riley shared on Saturday. Overall, Riley noted a trend he sees with USC's defense: The head coach shared how Domani Jackson and Jacobe Covington are practicing well at the start of camp. And then in turn you start putting that together and then the whole product has a chance to play really well."Ĭompetition at the cornerback position is heating up, according to Riley. "And that's what we're starting to see out of him and several other guys on the defensive side of the ball. And if he does all those things with confidence, the product can be two completely different things," Riley said. "It's amazing, you can take the same player, the same call, the same scheme, the same techniques, everything. When asked what specifically has contributed to Wright's growth this offseason, Riley shared that the key is confidence: It's what you hope would happen for a guy that got some phenomenal experience and game reps last year, but really been pleased with him." ![]() "He's had multiple here early on on some great plays, playing more confidently. "He had another interception today," Riley continued. The difference has been as substantial as anybody on our roster through six practices." "But his improvement and some of the playmaking that he's had has been substantial. You don't typically say those things together," Riley said of Wright. It sounds weird to say a breakout player for a guy that I think started nine games for us last year. "He's been one of the, to me, breakout players. Redshirt sophomore Ceyair Wright has made "substantial" improvement through the first portion of camp, head coach Lincoln Riley shared Saturday: Head coach Lincoln Riley shared the latest news on Saturday (Mar. Two weeks are now in the books for USC's 2023 Spring Camp.
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