10 QUESTIONS: Jaylen Harvey Prediction, Zachariah Branch, Ed Orgeron, USC Team Culture, Recruits at Arizona Game

On Sunday night (10/8), our WeAreSC Subscribers submitted questions for THE LATEST edition of the USC Trojans Football AND Recruiting Q&A. 

This is a feature we did weekly throughout the USC football season and will continue up until the February 1, 2024 signing period. 

All questions were submitted on our “WeAreSC Members Only” Forum.

WEARESC SUBSCRIBER QUESTIONS

What happened?

Best first question EVER!! I’ve been wondering the same darn thing. I had my phone in my pocket, so I thought, and when I got off the train, it wasn’t there. Thankfully I had the Find My iPhone app. It ended up not being a big deal. I’m surprised you even knew about it. lol

Fans (e.g. this board) aren’t happy, particularly with defensive schemes. But are the players as a whole connected and happy being 6-0? Just winning should matter to them more, and I would assume it’s a tight team in general with a good long-term future together, despite some complaining by fans. Is that a fair assumption?

I’m telling you the players are far more bottom line than fans are. Won’t claim they’re satisfied with how they’ve played each week, but the team unity appears very strong. There are guys not happy with playing time as there are with every team by week seven, but nothing that’s gonna impact winning. So yes, you provided a very fair assessment.

Top 3 choices for DC after the season, assuming Grinch is out?

If USC is looking for a Defensive Coordinator after the season, the first call I make is to Morgan Scaly from Utah. Second call is to is to Morgan Scalley and so is my third. This is a situation where there is absolutely zero doubt in my mind who a football program is getting. Seen enough for several years to know that. Plus he’s already tight with the coaches in SoCal and the entire West Coast.

Defensive recruits in SoCal won’t leave SoCal either if he’s the defensive coordinator. Obviously there are many many great options, but that’s my offering today on the fly.

Just noticed I skipped part of a similar question. I’d take Marcus Freeman over Phil Parker and Jim Leonhard. Leonhard will be an NFL DC next is my guess.

Do you think this team can win the Pac12 with that Defense?

I think USC can win a Pac-12 Championship with that offense.

Obviously a DC question. Is Jim Leonhard an option? He’s currently an analyst at Illinois. With our move to the B1G imminent, he seems like a logical fit.

Based off feedback I’ve gotten, I don’t believe Jim Leonhard will be an option for USC. He’s basically working from home part-time at Illinois. He’ll likely be an NFL DC next. My understanding is he’s still getting paid by Wisky this year.

Good list of visitors from the game. Any feedback or reactions you can share?

The feedback from recruits at the game Saturday has been very consistent with saying it was a great game and a great win for USC. They aren’t analyzing stuff and spending hours thinking about the USC football team. They mostly see the record and the ranking. Won’t matter to recruits if USC wins every game by one point.

What do you think about the future of college football and NIL? How do you think that shakes up the blue blood landscape?

I have absolutely no idea what the future is, because there are too many forces making it difficult to gain structure. It’s gonna be a great source of frustration for coaches until they do have rules and regulations in place. But it’s such a tricky topic at the same time. But they definitely need some structure and I don’t know the approach they’ll take to implement that.

Are we finally going to see Caleb Williams run a bit more over the second half of the season?

I’d be downright shocked if you don’t see Caleb Williams run more if future defenses are playing as Arizona did.

Awesome job as always. CLR is a competitive man who seems to want to win, but is also given autonomy to run the program which he has been successful. I do wonder if he decides to keep Alex Grinch again, would Jennifer Cohen step in or would she stay hands off and that would be that? Thanks again!

I have no reason to believe Jennifer Cohen interferes. And thank you!

Are you still predicting Jaylen Harvey to commit to USC?

That’s still my plan.

MD vs SJB this week!! What’s your prediction? Part ll: will Mater Dei give their new coach an extension on his one year contract?

Mater Dei has given up six points a game this season. That defense is legit elite and Bosco’s offense hasn’t been clicking. So, I’m taking Mater Dei. And yes, Frank McManus will be retained.

Is bringing someone like Ed Ogeron in as a Defensive Analyst at this point even an option? Would Riley be open to another analyst to help Alex Grinch and staff?

There won’t likely be any staff additions during the season.

Did Tackett Curtis get bench against Arizona?

Erik McKinney published the snap count from the Arizona game right here.

Our offense miss Zachariah Branch badly. Is there something more serious about him than we speculate about? Are you concerned that we may not see him in the game for a while?

Barring any unforeseen happenings, Zachariah Branch will play agin this season.

The post 10 QUESTIONS: Jaylen Harvey Prediction, Zachariah Branch, Ed Orgeron, USC Team Culture, Recruits at Arizona Game appeared first on On3.