Anthony Lucas a Key Component to USC’s Overhauled Defensive Line
With week two of USC’s 2023 Fall Camp underway, time for me to start mentioning a few new guys I’m looking forward to seeing play this season. Guys USC didn’t have on the roster last season, but I expect to have extremely impactful seasons.
Nearly every USC fan is looking forward to seeing freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch and linebacker Tackett Curtis. I’d be lying if I wasn’t also excited to see those two ball on August 26 when the Trojans face San Jose St. But unlike others still geared towards focusing on the incoming high school kids, I’m not.
Sometimes USC fans lose sight how significant the transfer additions were the past three offseasons. Last season Caleb Williams, Mario Williams, Jordan Addison, Brenden Rice, Tahj Washington, Bobby Haskins, and Travis Dye all started last season. Those are just the offensive players who transferred in.
Lincoln Riley and the Trojans also added defensive starters Eric Gentry, Mekhi Blackmon, Bryson Shaw, Shane Lee, Tyrone Taleni and Solomon Byrd. Perhaps they didn’t all start every game, but all played an extremely significant role in the defense a year ago.
Two Players on Watch List
Two transfers I’m very much looking forward to seeing play for USC, are RB MarShawn Lloyd and DL Anthony Lucas. I’m sure I’m not alone on this topic, too. Lloyd transferred from South Carolina and Lucas Texas A&M.
Those two actually had serious interest in USC during recruiting processes in 2020 and 2022, but there just wasn’t enough stability at USC to even lock them in for official visits. It took hiring Lincoln Riley and an 11-1 regular season to get to that point. Obviously USC’s added several transfers who’ll be huge impact players this season, but I’ll focus on two.
In this article we’ll keep the spotlight on Lucas. We published a separate piece on Lloyd Saturday afternoon. It’ll contain my brief thoughts on Lucas, but mostly their thoughts from the July 27 USC Media Day. We’ll add video of Lucas’s Q&A session below
Anthony Lucas
We first saw USC Defensive Lineman Anthony Lucas nearly three years ago at a Centennial vs Scottsdale Chaparral game. USC was playing at Arizona that weekend, so it was one of the Phoenix area games we caught that weekend.
What we saw was a prospect with the combination of size and athleticism we don’t often see on the West Coast. Lucas not only excels at football, but he’s an extremely talented baseball player. He also hooped at Centennial and WeAreSC saw him play basketball on February 19, 2021.
That was the first time we had an extended opportunity to talk with Lucas. At the time we first met him in November 2020, Lucas had a very impressive offer list. USC, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, ASU, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Michigan St., Penn St., Utah, Oregon, Washington, Miami, UCLA, Florida St., Cal, Wisconsin, Auburn, Colorado and LSU had offered him scholarships.
The rising senior practicing free throws in the photo below, looks nothing like the current USC defensive lineman. He’s significant leaner, but not much lighter than two years ago. He’s also much more explosive and stronger.
Lucas will be a huge problem for USC opponents in 2023, with him teaming up with Bear Alexander, Kyon Barrs, Jack Sullivan, Solomon Tuliaupupu, Kobe Pepe, Dejon Benton, Stanley Ta’ufo’ou, Tyrone Taleni and others.
USC
USC was a top option for Lucas from very early in the recruiting process until end. This was despite Clay Helton’s firing and the likelihood each position coach would be replaced. At one point in 2020 USC believed it was the school to beat for Lucas.
With all the chaos happening with the Trojans in late 2021, there was a significant amount of uncertainty with recruiting. Even after Riley was hired, there was still a bit of uncertainty with a few local prospects. Domani Jackson was among them, until Riley announced the retention of Donte Williams.
Despite what seemed like a hopeless situation for USC with Lucas in 2021, the Trojans kind of had a shot until the end of the process. Lucas visited USC on his own dime twice in November. He also visited UCLA, so it was obvious staying on the West Coast for college was on his mind. We provided a heads up on that development a few weeks before the visits.
“Lucas hasn’t taken an official to USC, but he’s been on campus for unofficial visits four times. He has the Trojans among his Top schools. He may visit Los Angeles one more time before announcing school choice perhaps later this month.
“Although most believe Lucas will end up at a school East of his Scottsdale (AZ) home, don’t count out USC or UCLA. Academics and what a university offers outside of football are significant, especially with Lucas’s family.”
WeAreSC Article November 2021
Transfer Portal Entry
The minute Lucas hitting the portal news hit social media, there was no doubt USC would be a top option. About 12 months earlier Lucas and Bear Alexander had spent quite a bit of time with Zion Branch, and Domani Jackson in Orlando at the Under Armour All-American Game practices.
Thought little of it at the time, but Branch and Lucas communicated with each other after Lucas hit the portal. In fact, Zion knew well before any of us Lucas was headed to USC.
On3 Scouting Report – Charles Power
“Lucas is a long, strong and quick athlete at 6-foot-4.5, 290 pounds. The Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral product has some unique fluidity and movement skills for a defensive lineman of his size. He’s already shown some pass rush polish and tallied 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a junior.
“We’ve also seen Lucas play some offense as a running back and receiver and make some impressive plays. He was even flashing that athleticism in 7-on-7 play this offseason. Lucas is also among the youngest prospects in the class with an October birthday. He won’t turn 18 until mid-way through his freshman season in college.”
Lucas Impressed Lincoln Riley in Spring
USC head coach Lincoln Riley had high praise for Anthony Lucas during the team’s spring camp.
“He’s done a good job,” Riley said after a spring practice in April. “I’ve really been impressed. For a younger guy to transfer in, he’s learned our stuff. He’s been very reliable from a scheme standpoint. He makes explosive plays. He’s brought really good energy and competitiveness to each day. He was one of the first newcomers to earn or to become gold plated. He got that on a couple of days back. He’s done a nice job. He’s really acclimated well. Just been a really fun guy to have in the program. He’s been a fun guy to put on our defense.”
One of the highest pieces of praise Riley could give to Lucas was comparing him to last year’s Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-American Tuli Tuipulotu.
Tuipulotu, who was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Charges, was a dynamic pass rusher for the Trojans who racked up 22 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.
“I’m not saying he’s Tuli,” Riley said. “I’m not saying he’s a great player, yet. He certainly got the chance to be. He keeps on the track he’s going, he’s got a chance to be very good. We’ve been thrilled with just how he’s handled it all here in the beginning and acclimated to our team and our pro and our culture.”
Lucas USC Media Day Q&A – Notable Quote
By the time we sat down with Lucas 10 days ago inside the John McKay Center, we’d already gotten to know him a quite bit. He’s always been a humble guy, but the vibe I got from him was one of great appreciation for his opportunity at USC.
Here’s what Lucas saids the asked what Shaun Nua has added to his growth as a player and person? For those who don’t know or recall, Nua recruited Lucas hard at Michigan. So, there was an established relationship with Nua, Riley, Grinch and Roy Manning prior to Lucas signing with the Trojans.
“More than I can explain,” said Lucas about Shaun Nua’s impact the last six months. It’s amazing how much knowledge he has, especially with different positions as well. He’s able to break it all down to a different understanding.”
USC DL Anthony Lucas on Shaun Nua
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