USC’s First Guys Off The Bus

When USC used to show up to the road games lines of onlookers stood around hoping to see the first handful of Trojans off the bus. I also remember how their jaws would drop when the first handful of Trojans stepped off the bus, and the gasps of air sound the bus would make when they got off.

First impressions are lasting ones.

Passing the eyeball test is half the battle. When you look intimidating it’s like having a psychological advantage over the opponent because they’re not sure if they even belong on the same field. This is why coaches like to pick their most intimidating-looking players to be the first guys off the bus. Usually, these monsters are linemen from either side of the ball, players that make the opposing fans say, “Holy ‘Expletive,’ Bob, we are going to get our butts kicked today!”

Until recently USC hasn’t had too many of those guys.

But that’s changing. Lincoln Riley’s staff has a busload of those Big Man On Campus types now!

Braylan Shelby.–

USC soph. Defensive End Braylan Shelby fall camp 2024.
Anthony Scott/WeAreSC

Shelby is a textbook definition of the “First guy off the bus.” At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, the sophomore defensive end from Friendswood, TX looks like someone ready for the NFL combine. Shelby saw action in all 13 games at rush end in 2023, recording 18 tackles, including 4 TFLs (with 2 sacks) and 1 fumble recovery. His position Coach Shaun Nua wants Shelby to play like one of those types of guys when he gets off the bus. “Probably higher than anybody on the team…He knows it, we know it, and we have all the faith that we’re going to get it out of him.”

Shelby has plenty of competition for the starting defensive end spot, including another first-off-the-bus player, Anthony Lucas.

Anthony Lucas. —

When Lucas gets off the bus it’s hard not to get all bugged-eyed. He looks like one of those monsters Dr. Frankenstein would want to create in his laboratory if he needed a prototypical NFL defensive lineman. Lucas is also a 6-foot-5″ lineman but is a year older and 10 lbs heavier than teammate Shelby, and this gives him the versatility new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn likes allowing him to slide inside as well.

USC Jr. Defensive End Anthony Lucas fall camp 2024.
WeAreSC/Marc Kulkin

Lucas arrived on USC’s campus in 2023 and one of the first things Lincoln Riley said when mentioning the defensive lineman, “Just not many body types like that walking around,” Riley said. In 2024,

Jide Abasiri. —

When Abasiri committed to USC back in December of 2023. The Minnesota native gave the Trojans the legitimate size in the trenches they’ve been lacking.

The first freshman off the bus for USC in 2024 comes from the B1G Conference footprint. To be more precise, all 6-foot-5 295 lbs of Abasiri is from Prior Lake, Minnesota. The massive interior lineman enrolled at USC in the spring of 2024 after he graduated a semester early from high school.

Jide Abasiri USC Fall Camp 2024
WeAreSC/Anthony Scott

It’s not often that a freshman arrives looking like they’re ready to contribute at the Division 1 level, but Jide fits the bill. And even though his first fall camp is just a week old, Jide already looks like a seasoned veteran. We’ll know for sure when he’s one of the first off the bus in the fall when the Trojans travel to Minneapolis.

Kameryn Fountain. —

When Atlanta (Ga.) Washington four-star EDGE Kameryn Fountain announced his commitment to USC last June, Fountain was ranked just inside the top 150. By the time he made his commitment official back in December, he had seen some steady increases. Fountain was considered the No. 63 player overall in the country per On3.

USC Freshman DE Kameryn Fountain fall camp 2024 photo credit WeAreSC

So here’s the thing, when you’re USC’s highest-rated commit in the 2024 recruiting cycle you automatically have a front seat reserved on the bus. However, when you’re a 6-foot-6, 265 lbs freshman defensive end, then you get to pick which front seat, and you’ll typically be one of the first off the bus regardless of your class status.

Elijah Paige. —

Who is going to tell the Trojans’ sophomore starting left tackle that he has to wait in line to get off the bus? It’s not a trick question. No one is going to tell someone standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 320lbs to wait his turn in line because the line starts behind him most of the time.

USC LT Elijah Paige Fall Camp 2024

Paige has a lot riding in his massive frame in year two protecting Miller Moss’s blindside as Moss takes over the full-time starting QB role. Elijah earned his way to the front of the bus the hard way, and now he’ll be one of the first off.

Duce Robinson.–

How often does a WR get off the bus first? At USC it’s not that uncommon when you’ve had receivers named Keyshawn Johnson, Big Mike Williams, Michael Pittman Jr., Drake London, and the list doesn’t stop there. Robinson is just the latest. As a freshman, the 6-foot-6 220 lbs Robinson saw action in 10 games recording 16 receptions for 351 yards (21.9 avg.) with a long of 71 and 2 TDs.–And for good measure, he also blocked a kick playing special teams. And when he’s not playing football, Duce trades uniforms and plays for USC’s baseball team.

USC WR Duce Robinson Fall Camp 2024
WeAreSC/Anthony Scott

In 2024 USC needs a big bus because there are plenty of Honorable mentions for seats at the front of the bus. Emmanuel Pregnon looks like a guy who needs his own bus after his off-season body transformation. There are guys like true freshman Hayden Treter is someone people remember regardless of when he gets off the bus.

One thing should be clear, veteran or freshman that is seated at the front of the bus, the first coach they’ll follow off is Shaun Nua.

The post USC’s First Guys Off The Bus appeared first on On3.