IMHO Sunday: As Vinny would say, Duce’s are wild – in football and baseball

In my humble opinion, cardinal and gold thoughts on what I see, what I hear, and what I think from Los Angeles:

Duce’s are wild: As the late legendary Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully used to say, “Two balls, two strikes, two on, two out, deuces are wild.” Whether it would have been his beloved baseball or his highly accomplished football announcing, Scully would have had a field day with the Trojans’ recent college football addition, tight end Duce Robinson. Imagine the possibilities. “Duce’s are wild!” In Robinson’s world, the wunderkind appears to have a tremendous future in either sport.

Duce’s are wild – Part 2: Along with your USC compatriots, you have to admit you were totally relieved when you learned Thursday evening that class of 2023 5-star tight end Duce Robinson (Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle HS) ended all the drama and recruiting anticipation by finally proclaiming he’ll be a USC Trojan beginning this upcoming season.    

Vinny would have had a field day with the name “Duce” Robinson.
(Photo above by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Duce’s are wild – Part 3: The Trojans’ faithful have been around the block before waiting for a national prospect who decided to sign late. Perhaps you’ve forgotten the name of former class of 2022 offensive line recruit Josh Conerly Jr., who waited long after the February signing period to sign last April with the Oregon Ducks. The Trojans really felt the sting of that one because Riley’s team badly needed to stockpile quality offensive linemen. Conerly let the air out of the Trojans’ balloon of hope, and the trepidation that Duce Robinson (6-6, 225) might follow in the same Conerly balloon brought back a queasy feeling of déjà vu.

The Trojans lost out on Class of 2022 offense tackle Josh Conerly but didn’t in signing class of 2023 tight end Duce Robinson.
(Photo above by Chad Simmons/On3)

Duce’s are wild– Part 4: For the record, most insiders said at the time that Josh Conerly Jr. signed with the Oregon Ducks because of Ducks’ O-line coaches Adrian Klemm and his assistant, former USC offensive lineman Viane Talamaivao. The irony, of course, is that neither coach is now with the Ducks. Klemm split to accept the job as the O-line coach of the New England Patriots, and Talamaivao has become the new offensive line coach for the Stanford Cardinal. You have to wonder what went through Conerly’s mind when the two coaches he put his trust got the heck out of Eugene.      

Duce’s are wild – Part 5: So, the Trojans finally received the big news of Duce Robinson’s decision that he would be wearing the cardinal and gold for his collegiate future. With all due respect to the USC tight ends currently on the roster, when was the last time the Men of Troy actually signed a 5-star tight end? Care to throw out a name? There have been a few 4-stars here and there, but a 5-star? You could argue that if they had 5-star rankings back in the day, you’d have to turn on the Peabody and Sherman’s Wayback Machine and pull out the late 1960s name of Charles “The Tree” Young of Fresno (Calif.) Edison High. It should be noted that during Lincoln Riley’s Saturday noon press conference, he said that he didn’t see Duce as an every down tight end, and that he will be used in a number of formations.

If there were 5-star rankings during his time period, tight end Charles Young would have been right there.
(Photo above by James Flores/ Getty Images)

Duce’s are wild– Part 6: Sure, there have been some great USC tight ends, but in terms of rankings, you could argue that “The Duce” is at the top of the list. Watch him live or on film, and he’s just a freak athlete that can play along the line of scrimmage or spilt out wide. He fits like a hand in a glove as part of Lincoln Riley’s dynamic offense. Unless we’re all crazy, it shouldn’t take too long – like the first game of the season against San Jose State – before Robinson is easily part of the tight end rotation. His athletic skillset is unworldly.  

Duce’s are wild – Part 7: Yet, despite all the excitement regarding the signing of Duce Robinson, he does come with some fine print. Robinson is an elite professional baseball prospect who has drawn comparisons to New York Yankees all-star outfielder Aaron Judge. While Robinson wants to play both sports, football and baseball, the Trojans may have to hold their collective breaths when major league baseball holds its next annual draft. Should Duce become a first-round draft selection, the big money will probably come pouring in. At that point, his USC football career could become complicated. Again on Saturday, Riley said that there’s a solid plan in place for Duce to play both college football and professional baseball. Remember, Riley has experience in this area at Oklahoma when he had a football/baseball sensation with QB Kyler Murray. Riley said he learned from Murray how the plan should be implemented.  

Is Duce Robinson the next Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees?
(Photo above by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Duce’s are wild – Part 8: If Duce is not drafted high in baseball this summer, he does have the option of playing on the USC baseball team. So, there is a chance that Duce could play in Andy Stankiewicz’s rejuvenated USC baseball program, and it’s understood that Robinson is impressed by what he’s seen from Stankiewicz’s horsehiders. USC does have an impressive history of football/baseball players. Even current Trojans transfer defensive tackle Anthony Lucas said last week that he wants to play baseball at USC, saying he plays a few infield positions that includes catcher.

Duce’s are wild – Part 9: For the moment, the signing of Duce Robinson by Lincoln Riley along with tight ends coach Zach Hansen should be applauded loudly. Also getting big kudos should be the recruiting efforts of current Trojans like true freshmen QB Malachi Nelson and WRs Zachariah Branch and Makai Lemon, all currently participating in spring ball. Nobody recruits better than recruits themselves. It’s been no secret that Duce is tight with Nelson, Branch, and Lemon. Robinson’s transition to being a Trojan should be seamless thanks to his relationship with the three current Trojans’ freshmen who are waiting with open arms.

USC true freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson had a big hand along with his freshman teammates in recruiting Duce Robinson.
(Photo above courtesy of Malachi Nelson)

Duce’s are wild – Part 10: Perhaps a bit lost in the Robinson signing hoopla is the fact that Duce spurned national champion Georgia, which brings forth a major perception victory for Lincoln Riley’s young and rising USC football program. The signing of Robinson sends a national message that at least on the offensive side of the ball, the explosive USC offense should be in fine shape as they enter the Big Ten in 2024. Ironically, Alabama’s legendary coach Nick Saban said recently that the team to fear in recruiting is USC, and the Crimson Tide legend praised Lincoln Riley for the job he has done thus far with the Trojans.      

Summation: So, the signing of Robinson has forced the national and Pac-12 Conference recruiting to be reshuffled once again. Depending on your recruiting service, the Trojans signing of another 5-star in this class of 2023 has propelled the Men of Troy into everybody’s national Top 10 class and has Trojans No. 2 in the Pac-12 behind Oregon. Combine both the high school and portal transfers for the class of 2023 and the Trojans rest on top of the Pac-12. It appears the Trojans are transitioning effortlessly into another goldmine when looking at the recruiting class of 2024. If the recruiting class of 2024 can equal or exceed the class of 2023, the future is as bright as a Big Ten sunrise.

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The Lincoln Riley quotebook

Lincoln Riley
(Photo above by Matthew Visinsky | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

On recruiting star quarterback recruits in consecutive years, Riley recently said:

 “I think it’s less about us like strategizing to take one every year, and it’s more about we want to get a guy that’s going to be a good enough player. Our standards are obviously pretty darn high in that room, and he’s also got to have the makeup knowing he can come in and believes in himself and wants to come and compete and do it at — in my opinion — one of the best places to play quarterback in the country. When it works out, it works out so certainly not opposed to it. Just want to try to get the best guy that I can every year and bring guys in who are going to uplift the room and make our team better and help us win championships.”

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From the press box…

(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Nobody asked me…but: I liked linebacker Mason Cobb’s answer on “Trojans Live” why he decided to transfer to USC from Oklahoma State. Cobb said, “USC wasn’t really flashy on my visit. I went to A&M, and they’ve got great facilities, big stadium, but USC is USC. Coming here and being able to see the relationship with the players and the coaches and the want to win and win it all. That’s something different. Some programs they’re cool with winning a couple of games and going to a bowl game. A program that wants it all is really intriguing to me and that’s what I want. I want it all.”

Nobody asked me…but: It was revealing when Mason Cobb was talking about the USC linebacking room, and when he brought up the name of true freshman Tackett Curtis, Cobb said, “He’s something I’ve never seen before at that age. He’s different.”

USC linebacker Mason Cobb (#13), a transfer from Oklahoma State, at a Trojans’ spring practice.
(Photo above by Erik McKinney/WeAreSC)

Nobody asked me, but: The Trojans coaching staff continues to recruit in Texas heavily, which isn’t a heavy lift considering that Lincoln Riley and a number of his staff used to recruit the Lone Star State regularly during Riley’s days as the head coach of Oklahoma.

Nobody asked me…but: Once again to the powers that be, please consider replacing the current “miniature” version of the original Wild Bunch statue next to Heritage Hall with a larger-than-life statue similar to the John McKay statue that resides in front of the John McKay Center. It just makes sense. The original Wild Bunch didn’t play or look like miniatures. They were larger than life for their time period, the acknowledged best in the country in 1969.

Nobody asked me…but: Since Lincoln Riley brings it up and because it just makes sense, there is an air of excitement to see once spring ball is over just whom the coach will be bringing in from the portal. Looking at things objectively in this day and age, Riley also says he doesn’t know who on his own team will depart to the portal once spring ball has concluded.

Nobody asked me…but: When I see true freshman offensive tackle Elijah Page walk up the ramp from the John McKay Center to Howard Jones/Brian Kennedy Fields, his physical build and maturity reminds me of O-line recruits from the McKay, Robinson, and Carroll glory days.   

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The post-game show…

(Photo above by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Spring has sprung: Here are some of the essentials to know for USC’s spring game on Saturday, April 15. Parking lots will open at 9 a.m., Coliseum gates open at 10:30 a.m., and kickoff for the spring game is 12 p.m.

Spring has sprung – Part 2: Tickets for USC’s spring game are free for all fans, but reservations are required. You can get your free tickets (limit is 6 tickets) by going to: https://usctrojans.com/sports/2023/3/28/2023-usc-trojans-football-spring-game-showcase-tickets-fans-information-coliseum-lincoln-riley.aspx

Springtime in Boulder: Under the glow of hiring Deion Sanders as its head football coach, Colorado announced its spring football game has sold out, which means attendance will be over 45,000 at Folsom Field. What will be the attendance count for USC’s spring game? 

The Colorado Spring Game at Folsom Field is a sellout so what will be the turnout of the USC Spring Game be on April 15?
(Courtesy of Colorado Athletics)

A new Lake: Lincoln Riley was laughing when he proclaimed last week that his current tight end room wasn’t in a good way. Of course, he couldn’t mention the edition of Duce Robinson until it became official. That being said, Riley heaped tons of praise on returning redshirt sophomore tight end Lake McRee from Austin, Texas, who has filled out (6-4, 245) and is how healthy. 

The Raleek factor: One of the fascinating storylines for spring practice has been the experimenting of sophomore running back Raleek Brown, who came to Troy as a heralded running back out of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei High. Already competing in a stacked running backs room, Lincoln Riley is moving Brown around, using the quick former Mater Dei superstar in the slot. Riley has admitted to being intrigued at the various locations that Brown can be lined up, and some new plays that could be implemented to take advantage of Raleek’s skillset. 

USC sophomore running back Raleek Brown (#14) has increased his role in the Trojans’ offense by playing in the slot.
(Photo above by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)

Carson City: Another hint that there are good things to come out of spring ball is the return of Carson Tabaracci (6-2, 225), the former linebacker-turned-tight end who did not play due to injury last season, has been impressive this spring, according to Riley. For the record, Tabaracci came to USC as a transfer from rival Utah, but at Park City High in Park City Utah, the redshirt freshman was a fullback/linebacker and on the offensive side of the ball. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry along with 23 receptions for 235 yards (10.2 avg) and two touchdowns.

A developing front: From all accounts, perhaps the most encouraging position group is Shaun Nua’s defensive front. You’ve got to listen when Caleb Williams says positive things about linemen like transfers Anthony Lucas (Texas A&M/ 6-5, 295) and Kyon Barrs (6-2, 290), who was praised by center Justin Dedich by saying, “He’s a special talent. He’s made me better already in these seven practices.”

USC defensive lineman Anthony Lucas (#6) at a Trojans’ spring practice
(Photo above by Erik McKinney/WeAreSC)

A developing front – Part 2: Transfer Jack Sullivan (Purdue/ 6-5, 275), according to Lincoln Riley, has brought a particular toughness to this developing, revamped unit. Sullivan says he likes to lead by example, and that example is a Big Ten physical toughness and work ethic. And, BTW, Big Jack has an imposing physical appearance,  and somebody you wouldn’t want to see in a dark alley.  

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The Call-in Show…

Caller No. 1, Greg, how many Coliseum home games will sell out for the Trojans in 2023?

Caller No. 1, I can see at least three games, and that would be Utah, Washington (Homecoming), and UCLA. I don’t think San Jose St will be even though it’s the season opener. It will depend on the time of the kickoff. I suspect Nevada won’t be a sellout, but there could be sleeper sellouts against Stanford and Arizona depending on the records of the two teams.

Caller No. 2: Grego, how do you think Georgia fans are taking the news that Duce Robinson signed with the Trojans.  

Caller No. 2, at the moment, I don’t think that Georgia fans are all that concerned about the Trojans getting the Duce. However, should Lincoln Riley start plucking out some more high-profile players out of the Peach State, then you’re going to hear a lot of noise and finger pointing.

5-star TE Duce Robinson has signed with USC.
(Photo above by Chad Simmons/On3)

 Caller No. 3: G-Man, who do you think is the most important reserve/backup on this year’s team?

Caller No. 3, it’s without question quarterback Miller Moss. I don’t think it gets any more obvious than that if Caleb Williams goes down.

Caller No. 4: Katz, watching the Trojans’ Huddle, you’ve made mention that you are now okay with the DJ during games at the Coli. Why the change?

Caller No. 4, something had to be done to get some crowd involvement and noise in the Coliseum. In the old days, USC fans or should we say students got their vocal directions from yell leaders. Hearing ”defense”, “first down”, and “block that kick” were old standards as the head yell leader would speak into a portable mic unit.

As you know, yell leaders are a thing of the past at USC, so the Trojans rolled the cheerleading dice with a DJ. At first, I found the DJ absolutely annoying, but he did get the crowd and the fans going, and I think he, too, refined “his game.” Not every game is UCLA or Notre Dame, so in the long run, the bottom line is the DJ gets people into the game, and I am all for that.  

The famous USC Song Girls along with the DJ at the Coliseum get the fans involved and motivated.

Caller No. 5: Greger, any plans for you after spring ball and the spring game is over?

Caller No. 5, besides my WeAreSC assignments, I am going to go on a mini-baseball road trip with my son to watch the Dodgers play at Wrigley Field in the mid-part of April. The Dodgers play a four-game series in the Windy City, and hopefully it’s not too cold. My son is a big baseball fan, actually attended Opening Day at Fenway Park in Boston so it makes things fun, and Chicago is a great baseball town. Of course, since we’re going in April, it’s highly doubtful that the iconic ivy on the outfield walls will be on display. Bummer.  

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The last word…

For those that missed last Tuesday’s “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle Recruiting Special”, panelists Marc Kulkin, Chris Arledge, and Greg Katz assessed the latest spring practice information, gave analysis of both the offense and the defense heading into spring ball’s third week, discussed the fairness of 2023 season ticket prices, and panel answers to viewers’ questions.

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