IMHO Sunday: Reading the fine transfer print
In my humble opinion, cardinal and gold thoughts on what I see, what I hear, and what I think from Los Angeles:
The fine transfer print: For good reason, the USC Trojans are all fired up for the 2023 season, and the big concern is the defense, which was basically as lousy as the offense was brilliant in 2022. So, understandably, all transfer eyes have been on Trojans’ head coach Lincoln Riley, defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, and defensive line coach Shaun Nua (photo above) to do as much overhauling as possible, and, my goodness, did they need it. The defensive results from the transfer portal thus far have been received with positive acclaim both nationally and locally. Oh, and by the way, today (Sunday), is the last day of the second cycle of the two transfer portal windows.
The fine transfer print – Part 2: Before the Trojans got the recent commitment and signing from nationally acclaimed defensive line transfer Bear Alexander, the Men of Troy early-on received the signatures from such notable D-line transfers as Anthony Lucas (Texas A&M), Kyon Barrs (Arizona), and Jack Sullivan (Purdue). All were being hailed as a major step to correcting USC’s frightening display of defense.
The fine transfer print – Part 3: Mr. IMHO Sunday had the opportunity to look and evaluate the aforementioned transfers in the spring game. I watched the spring game a couple of times, having taped it. Then I decided to take a deeper dive into these acclaimed transfers and was able to form a more balanced opinion. Putting it all together, I came away with different impressions of Lucas, Barrs, and Sullivan. I wanted to know their backgrounds and why they transferred. Basically, all transfers have a story to tell whether they actually tell it or not.
USC defensive lineman transfer Kyon Barrs (#92) played with a real motor in the spring game.
(Photo above by Erik McKinney/WeAreSC)
The fine transfer print – Part 4: Since the media certainly wasn’t at full practices except for one full segment outside of the spring game, the available information on the progress of these transfers was gleaned from assistant coaches and some players themselves after practices. Naturally, most of the conversations were helpful to some degree but certainly not the same as seeing practices for ourselves and coming to our own analytical conclusions. Unfortunately, we only had just one spring game to come to some basic conclusions, and it raised more questions than answers, IMHO.
The fine transfer print – Part 5: Let me say that I think that Lincoln Riley has assembled a great staff that should get the best out of the players available. Perhaps the only real coaching question marks are defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, which isn’t exactly a state secret, and corner coach Donte Williams, who has been under the microscope since the beginning of the Riley era and before. In his defense, Williams has sent players to the NFL as witnessed by this last week’s draft with the selection of corner Mekhi Blackmon by the Vikings in the third round.
The fine transfer print – Part 6: Now on paper, the new defensive line of talent has some very impressive resumes. Two of the newcomers were either 5-star or 4-star recruits out of high school, and one has developed his game to show he, too, can be a factor. All that being said, after watching video of the spring game again and again, as my late friend and WeAreSC colleague Kevin Bruce would say, “You know football, Greg, I know football, you have to tell it like it is by what you see. Oh, and by the way, recruiting stars don’t mean jack sh*t on the field.” Okay, Kevin (AKA El Capitan), I still hear you good and loud.
Bear Alexander (#90) will be counted on to lead the Trojans’ defensive front four.
(Photo above by On3.com)
The fine transfer print – Part 7: So, let me say what I saw in the spring game after further reviews. I know that DL Anthony Lucas was a 5-star coming out of high school. I know at Texas A&M he got himself into a little difficulty, but it happens, and he needed to move on. However, what bothered me when I watched him play was that he was basically invisible in the spring game. Sure, Lincoln Riley says we, the media, didn’t see him at practice and he was a force. Coach is right, we didn’t see what he saw over several weeks. However, I did see him in the spring game.
The first thing I judge a player on is effort on each and every down. I repeat, effort on each and every down. I have seen most of the great ones at Troy since 1962, and I know what an All-American and All-Conference player looks like. Many of you do, as well. Admittedly, I was left unfulfilled watching Lucas perform. I expected to see a terror based on expectations and post-practice comments. Now Lucas is still young, and some of that fire might have been extinguished by his A&M experience. However, since he went through an entire USC spring practice, much was expected in the spring game. If you can’t get fired up to play in your first spring game inside the Coliseum before a fine gathering of adoring fans, it leaves me with some unanswered questions.
That said, if anybody can change a mindset and put a fire under Anthony Lucas on every down, I have full confidence that D-line coach Shaun Nua can do it… if Lucas wants to do it. It’s all about “want-to.” We’ll find out sooner rather than later if Lucas plays the game with every-down intensity. In order for the Trojans’ defense to take the next step, Big Anthony has to bring it even in a inconsequential spring game.
The fine transfer print – Part 8: Now, conversely, Arizona transfer Kyon Barrs in the spring game brought it on every down. I liked what I saw and his background. He was aggressive, active, had excellent pursuit, and I generally came away with this guy can play and make a difference. He is motivated on every down, so no worries there. He will be a legit asset for the 2023 defensive line. Let’s remember that he did get injured at Arizona but before that misfortune he was well on his way to having an All-Pac-12 season.
USC defensive lineman transfer Kyon Barrs (#92) was impressive with his high motor in the spring game in the Coliseum.
(Photo above by Erik McKinney/WeAreSC)
The fine transfer print – Part 9: In looking at Purdue transfer Jack Sullivan in the spring game, there is no question he brings it on every down and is very motivated to get better. My eyes saw a valuable player just by his effort. However, there seems to be limitations on being able to get up field and attack the quarterback. That being said, in the spring game, nobody was allowed to attack the quarterback for obvious reasons. A key to Jack’s speed development may rest on how much Sullivan can get accomplished under the guidance of respected strength and conditioning coach Bennie Wylie. Because both Sullivan and Wylie are intense individuals, we may see an improved player come training camp in late July.
USC defensive lineman Jack Sullivan walks to a spring practice session.
(Photo above by Daniel Villagomez/WeAreSC)
The fine transfer print – Part 10: Now for the latest defensive line addition whom we didn’t see in the spring for the obvious reasons, “Bear” Alexander. His playing skills are considered elite by any measure. That being said, I always wonder about the background of players before they enter USC as a freshman or as a transfer. Yes, Alexander saw some valuable playing time at Georgia as a freshman but probably not as much as he would have wanted. He did make a couple of tackles/sacks in the national championship game against overmatched TCU, so he was not some scrub.
As for leaving Georgia, did Alexander feel he was not going to start in 2023 for the Bulldogs or just be a third-down pass rusher as a sophomore? Does it matter? The Trojans are happy to have him. However, in looking prior to the “Bear” signing with Georgia, I was surprised to learn the kid had taken quite a journey to end up in Los Angeles.
According to Bear’s On3 profile, “Bear Alexander attended five different high schools in his career. Alexander started his playing career at Terrell (Texas) High, where he earned the District 8-5A defensive newcomer of the year honors as a freshman. Alexander then transferred to Dallas Skyline, but it was ruled he transferred for athletic purposes and was ineligible to play his sophomore season.
“Alexander then moved to Denton (Texas) Ryan for his junior season. After being ruled ineligible for the first part of the season, Alexander led Ryan to the Texas Class 5A Division I state title. He then transferred to Fort Worth (Texas) Brewer in April of his junior year after his guardian accepted a coaching job at the school. But that final transfer was not approved by Texas’ University Interscholastic League, so Alexander eventually ended up at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.”
To be fair, there was a recent video released in which Bear talks about his high school journeys, original college choice, reasons for transferring out of Georgia, and how and why he ended up at USC. According to Bear and his surrogate father/coach, Bear said he originally made a silent commitment to Lincoln Riley when the Trojans’ coach was still at Oklahoma. The interview is very insightful, and you can come to your own conclusions regarding all the transferring of high schools.
The fine transfer print – Part 11: Should we be concerned about the many travels of Bear Alexander? Is there a pattern of behavior there? Well, I feel confident again that Coach Nua will get the best out of Alexander, who has three years of eligibility remaining, and obviously Lincoln Riley certainly knows more about Bear and the kid’s reasons for changing schools than I do. Hopefully, the Bear has found a permanent home in L.A. in his quest to get to the NFL, although I do get concerned over such things as “pattern of behavior.”
Summation: So, with the addition of the Bear and the other trumpeted transfer talents, on paper things look to be trending up. It’s all about D-line coach Shaun Nua’s ability to mold it all together, and I think he will. Of course, if he doesn’t, it won’t reflect on him but the players. Nua has a very strong coaching resume, so no questions there. He will accomplish his part in molding his new defensive front, but it’s up to his players to execute the coach’s instructions.
Come this season, we’ll see if what’s on paper can translate to the field as one dominating, manly unit. I’ll be looking for a unit that brings it on every play, not just one or two guys on every other down but as an entire position group. The back half of the Trojans’ 2023 schedule is brutal, so this unit better be developed and on top of its game when we get to that point. As they say, we shall see what we shall see.
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The Lincoln Riley quotebook
USC’s Lincoln Riley (above) added more transfers during the second portal cycle.
In a riveting interview of Trojans’ head coach Lincoln Riley by WeAreSC’s Scott Schrader this past week, Schrader covered a number of topics with the coach. When it came to recruiting players to come to Los Angeles to play at USC, Riley told Schrader:
“What we’ve learned more and more, is you have to get the right fit. USC’s not for everyone. It takes a special individual who wants to be an elite college football player in a program that expects to compete for National Championships. Guys who can come in and embrace the challenge and opportunities academically USC provides.
“You’re also talking about doing it on the biggest stage. This is right in the heart of L.A., the sports media capital of the world. These are the brightest lights there are. So, finding people who embrace being great in all of that, is extremely important. It reduces the number of guys that we even look at, and it shrinks the pool a bit. It’s definitely different here, and it’s been fun to learn and adapt to it…and it’s a great advantage for us.”
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From the press box…
(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
Nobody asked me…but: The NFL draft of USC Trojans turned out to be about as expected with four selections in seven rounds. However, next year’s 2024 draft could see as many as 16 Trojans drafted, headed, of course, by QB Caleb Williams.
Nobody asked me…but: I don’t know about you, but it was excruciating watching Trojans’ All-America offensive guard Andrew Vorhees slip into the final round of the NFL draft before finally being selected by the Baltimore Ravens. Had Andrew not sustained that horrendous ACL injury at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, he likely would have been picked substantially higher in the draft. Go get’em, kid.
It was difficult to watch as Trojans’ All-America guard Andrew Vorhees fell into the final round of the draft due to knee surgery.
(Photo above by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Nobody asked me…but: In addition, those Trojans not drafted in the seven-round pecking order will be able to get look-see as free agents. I am most curious regarding the NFL futures of RB Travis Dye (Jets) and WR Terrell Bynum (Chargers). IMHO, had he not been injured that required surgery, Dye would have been drafted in the later rounds.
Had he not suffered a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery, RB Travis Dye (#26) may have been selected in the NFL draft.
(Photo above) by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Nobody asked me…but: I think that former Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid, drafted on Thursday night in the first round by the Buffalo Bills, should send a thank you letter and a box of chocolates to the 2022 USC defense for allowing him to get 16 receptions, thus making a name for himself on national television, and putting his stock on the radar of NFL scouts.
Nobody asked me…but: As a public service, you might want to know that Trojans new defensive tackle Bear Alexander’s actual real name is Keithian Deshun Alexander.
Bear Alexander’s real first name is Keithian.
Nobody asked me…but: News that former Trojans receiver John Jackson lll committed to Nevada is newsworthy when you consider that JJ lll’s new school will be coming to the Coliseum next season on Saturday, Sept. 2. And, yes, JJ lll, who did get his degree from USC before transferring, could be starting against his alma mater when the two universities meet.
Nobody asked me…but: Caleb Williams decision to play at USC in Los Angeles has turned into a major NIL windfall. Caleb has signed an endorsement with Neutrogena, which reportedly now raises his value to $2.6 million, the second highest in college football.
Nobody asked me…but: In case you were wondering, Caleb Williams also had deals with Athletic Brewing Company, Fanatics, AT&T, Beats by Dre, and AC+ION water. Just your typical college kid trying to make a couple of bucks on the side to get by.
Nobody asked me…but: Judging by the results, I guess Lincoln Riley’s recruiting in Texas is a little different than Clay Helton’s recruiting in Texas.
Lincoln Riley has been successful recruiting the country whether it’s high school players or portal transfers like Caleb Williams.
(Photo above by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
Nobody asked me…but: I don’t think I am too far off that as Lincoln Riley recruits Texas better and better, the threat of USC coming into the Lone Star State is starting to really get the attention of the Big 12 and SEC schools. In the eyes of Texas high school players, it’s all about Lincoln Riley whether he’s at USC or Oklahoma, and that has to be very uncomfortable for the competition in that football crazy state.
Nobody asked me…but: I understand the “May Evaluation Period” is for coaches to watch high school spring practices. I don’t understand anymore why assistant coaches can travel the country watching high school talent, but college head coaches can’t.
Nobody asked me…but: The “May evaluation Period” that excludes head coaches from watching high school spring practices was instituted during the domination of the Trojans under Pete Carroll. The SEC detested and feared Carroll recruiting the South and plucking players out of that region. To stop Carroll, the SEC pushed for a ban by the NCAA regarding head coaches watching prep spring ball practices in person. This ridiculous rule reminded me of the time when the NCAA outlawed dunking in men’s basketball games because UCLA had a legendary center named Lew Alcindor (AKA Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) who was unstoppable dunking the ball. Obviously that didn’t work because UCLA won three consecutive national championships.
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The post-game show…
(Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
Hurray for Hollywood: As you may have heard, the Trojans extended an offer to 2025 5-star receiver Ryan Williams from Saraland, Alabama, who is currently an Alabama commit. The kid’s nickname is “Hollywood” and that should tell you something. Add to this a quote he gave WeAreSC’s Scott Schrader, “I just love the West Coast feel, especially considering my nickname is Hollywood.” Williams told Schrader that he plans to visit USC in June. Think this kid will get the “Hollywood” treatment on his visit? Is Lincoln Riley the head coach of USC?
The protest: In case you haven’t seen any of these 15 billboards displayed around Los Angeles, Trojans super booster/donor Brian Kennedy, whom one of the Trojans’ practice fields is named after, used his highly successful billboard company, Regency, to display a plea to the NCAA to give Reggie Bush back his Heisman Trophy. Reportedly, Bush had no idea the billboards were going up.
Trojans super booster Brian Kennedy placed 15 billboards around Los Angeles urging the NCAA to give back the Heisman to Reggie Bush.
There go the Irish: In case you haven’t heard the news, former Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner has transferred to Alabama. It was somewhat surprising considering that Tyler is from San Diego and the possibility of the Aztecs entering into the Pac-12.
There go the Irish – Part 2: The departure of Tyler Buchner from Notre Dame sends out the message that when the Trojans arrive for their Oct. 14 meeting at Notre Dame, the Irish quarterback will likely be Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman, who received rave reviews during spring ball. “Send a volley cheer on high, shake down the thunder from the sky.”
Must see viewing: I get no commission or residuals, but you have to watch Chris Arledge’s recent “Musings with Arledge Solo Edition – Episode 2″ with former USC offensive line coach Pat Ruel, who may shock you with his brutal honesty regarding Pete Carroll, Lou Holtz, Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, and the list goes on and on. It really is absolute must-see viewing for a USC fan. It’s long, but yet so honest and informative that it’s worth sitting down with some chips and a drink. At times, Ruel’s answers to sensitive questions are riveting. It’s like watching the show “60 Minutes” in its frankness and Ruel’s blunt honesty. And by the way, I’d buy a copy of Pat Ruel’s new book in which he tells-it-like-it-is in his career offensive line coaching journey under some of the greatest football coaches in history.
Camp season: It’s that time of the year when USC sends out information for its popular June football camps. Here is list of camps and dates:
June 4: High School Elite Camp l
June 10: High School Elite Camp 2
June 20: Trojans in Training Middle School Camp
June 21: Future Trojan Youth Camp 1/Specialist Academy
June 22: Future Trojan Youth Camp ll/ Skills Academy
June 23: High School Elite Camp 3
June 24: Lineman Academy (OL/DL)
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The Call-in Show…
Caller No. 1: Greg, I know that college football is becoming the NFL when new head coaches arrive and change their rosters by getting rid of current players on the team and bringing in new players out of the portal. I understand this process, but it seems coldblooded.
Caller No. 1, Yep, it’s pretty coldblooded. In an article in the Athletic, a former Colorado Buffalo legacy player says a day after the UC spring game, he was called into first-year head coach Deion Sanders’s office and was told by the Sanders, “You’re 6-foot-8, 320 pounds. I know in my heart of hearts a school is going to pick you up in the portal when you enter. Make your weaknesses your strengths and keep progressing. I hope you have a great future; it just won’t be here at the University of Colorado.” Ouch!
First-year Colorado head coach Deion “Prime Time” Sanders has been coldblooded in changing his team’s roster.
(Photo above by © Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Caller No. 2, Dr. Katz, are you happy with the direction the team is going under Lincoln Riley?
Caller No. 2, what’s not to be happy? Look, Riley guided the team from Clay Helton’s 4-8 season in 2021 to Riley’s 11-3 in 2022. Was I disappointed in the last two games in 2022? Of course, and so was Riley. The key, as we all know, is that Riley must prove he and his DC can build a national championship worthy defense. He knows that, I know that, and you know that.
Caller No. 3: G-dog, what did you think of John Jackson lll jumping in the portal and committing to the Nevada Wolfpack.
Caller No. 3 good for JJ lll. He obviously wasn’t going to play at USC, and he got his SC degree, so why not transfer, and hopefully play and not sit to end his college football career. I am rooting for the kid.
Former USC receiver John Jackson III (#80) is now a member of the University of Nevada Wolfpack football team.
(Photo above by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
Caller No. 4: Katzman, which assistant coach can make a major difference in the program for 2023?
Caller No. 4, I think that defensive line coach Shaun Nua’s defensive line group development could have the biggest impact on the success of 2023 Trojans as any. If Nua can develop his heralded transfers into a formidable unit, it should make a major impact, especially in the backside of the schedule when the Trojans are into the teeth in a consecutive series of very challenging teams.
Caller No. 5: Grego, what are your political views on the upcoming presidential candidates of both parties?
Caller No. 5, I plead the fifth. My daddy once told me don’t discuss religion or politics with others, and I invoke that piece of advice for your question.
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The last word…
For those that missed last Tuesday’s “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle”, panelists Marc Kulkin, Chris Arledge, Erik McKinney, and Greg Katz looked at the effects of signing former Georgia defensive tackler transfer Bear Alexander, the possibility of more transfer portal additions, three new NCAA rules for the 2023 season, a 2023 NFL draft preview, and viewers’ questions and panel answers.
The post IMHO Sunday: Reading the fine transfer print appeared first on On3.
