On Friday, September 13, highly regarded 4-star defensive lineman and USC Trojans recruit James Carrington shared a devastating announcement on social media.
“If I can’t attend a game or visit the campus, it’s not because I don’t want to,” Carrington stated. “I’m sorry, but we just can’t afford plane tickets or a hotel right now. We’re focused on keeping the lights on and food in the fridge. I appreciate your understanding.”
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 270 pounds, Carrington is ranked as the No. 35 overall prospect and the No. 2 defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class by Rivals.
Lincoln Riley and USC initially offered Carrington a scholarship in October 2023, and he visited the campus for the Trojans’ spring game in April.
Carrington started his high school journey at St. Frances Academy (MD) before transferring to Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (GA) for his sophomore year. While with the Eagles, he recorded 22 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and two forced fumbles before moving to Bishop Gorman (NV) for his junior year.
Although unofficial visits to campuses are typically funded by the individual high school prospects and their families, schools usually cover travel, accommodation, and other expenses for recruits and their families during official visits.
A 2023 NCAA rule change permitted prospects to take as many official visits as they wish, whereas previously, only five were allowed. However, recruits are limited to one official visit per school, unless there is a change in head coach.
USC Trojans Coach Lincoln Riley Reveals Similarities Between Michigan and USC.
USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley is currently in his third season with the team, which is one of the most prominent brands in college football. Before Riley’s arrival, USC had a disappointing 4-8 season, but as of 2024, the Trojans are 2-0 and gaining positive momentum.
Since Riley took over, USC has significantly improved, posting a record of 21-8 over the past two-plus seasons. His goal is to consistently return the Trojans to the national championship discussion, similar to their historic success. USC has claimed 11 national championships, though they haven’t won one since 2004.
In February 2024, Riley expressed to The Athletic his desire to “emulate Michigan’s build.” Michigan was in a comparable situation a decade ago, as a prestigious program with a rich history striving to reclaim its former glory. Now, Michigan stands as the defending national champion in college football.
Lincoln Riley was asked about the Trojans’ upcoming opponent after their bye week, the Michigan Wolverines.
Riley noted that Michigan “has a very good line… strong returning players… and it’s a tough place to play.”
When asked about his earlier comments regarding the similarities between USC and Michigan, Riley responded, “Both are iconic blue blood programs that have faced challenges. They (Michigan) experienced some ups and downs when Jim (Harbaugh) arrived. Many outsiders doubted their ability to turn things around.”
Jim Harbaugh was hired by Michigan in 2014 after the Wolverines finished with a 5-7 record. After nearly a decade of near misses, Harbaugh led the Wolverines to a national championship victory last season before departing to coach the Los Angeles Chargers this year.
Riley expressed, “What I respect most about them is their commitment to their process and their ability to disregard outside opinions… I believe that’s ultimately why they have enjoyed several successful seasons in a row.”
USC will take advantage of this bye week to recover before heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to face the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines at the Big House.
Crucial players like linebacker Mason Cobb and cornerback Jaylin Smith, who have been dealing with minor injuries, will benefit from the extra time to heal.
A victory against Michigan would elevate USC to 3-0 for the season and capture nationwide attention, if they haven’t already. This presents another significant opportunity for the Trojans to demonstrate that they are a serious contender for the Big Ten title and potentially beyond.
USC Coach Lincoln Riley: ‘Spirited’ Trojans Preparing for Michigan Challenge.
USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley has guided the team to a strong 2-0 start this season, showcasing impressive performances against LSU and Utah State. The Trojans have a bye week this week before traveling to take on the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines. Coach Riley has expressed admiration for Michigan.
Trojans coach Lincoln Riley shared his early impressions of Michigan ahead of their game on September 21st at the ‘Big House’ in Ann Arbor.
“They’re a solid team,” Riley remarked. “As defending national champions, they have many talented players on their roster and enjoy a significant home-field advantage.”
Despite Michigan’s recent loss at home to the Texas Longhorns, 31-12, Riley expressed that he believed the game was closer than the final score suggested.
“In my view, the Texas game was much tighter than the scoreboard showed,” Riley stated. “When two strong teams face off, it often comes down to a few key plays, and Texas capitalized on those opportunities. Michigan had their chances to stay competitive.”
Riley also emphasized that “teams will evolve” and that “each week presents different challenges.”
He highlighted that Michigan is “strong on the line of scrimmage” and that competing against them will be a “significant challenge.”
Riley respects Michigan and will not underestimate them, even after their loss to Texas at home.
Riley Speaks on How Trojans Are Attacking the Bye Week.
Coach Lincoln Riley shared his perspective on the bye week, responding to whether he preferred the time off or to keep the momentum going while the team is performing well.
“Bye weeks are what they are. If managed effectively, they can offer advantages… like getting healthy. A bye week should always be beneficial,” Riley stated.
In sports, there’s often a “rest vs. rust debate.” Would it be better to take time off or maintain rhythm? Riley supports the latter if the bye week is approached correctly.
When asked how his players are handling the bye week, especially after two strong performances against LSU and Utah State, he said, “We’ve had two physical, spirited practices this week… I don’t see any signs of a team not taking this week seriously. They’re excited about what’s coming up.”
What lies ahead for the Trojans is their first conference game as a member of the Big Ten, where they will face Michigan.
USC Trojans Coach Lincoln Riley on Tight Ends’ Offensive Impact: ‘More Well-Rounded’.
Tight end production for the USC Trojans has been quite limited during coach Lincoln Riley’s initial seasons. In 2022, the tight ends recorded a total of 17 receptions, which increased to 29 in 2023, yet still fell short of Riley’s expectations.
However, this season is shaping up to significantly surpass previous years. After just two games, the tight ends have already made 14 catches.
“Well, the players are doing a great job,” Riley remarked. “Coach (Zach) Hanson has effectively developed that group. It’s been crucial for us to enhance a position that didn’t quite meet our standards in the early years, and it’s definitely improved, with potential for even more growth. I still believe that having talented tight ends creates one of the biggest mismatches in football due to their versatility.”
Tight end Lake McRee currently leads the team with nine receptions and 137 receiving yards. Before fall camp, McRee’s availability for the season was uncertain due to an ACL injury he sustained during practice in December. Remarkably, he returned to the field just eight months later, and his production has increased since then.
Riley noted, “The players have shown positive developments early on, which has helped us become a more well-rounded offense. With several young players in the group, I’m excited to see how they continue to grow and positively impact us as the season progresses.”
In the game against LSU, McRee recorded a career-high five receptions for 56 yards, and against Utah State, he caught four passes for a career-best 81 yards. His impact has been felt not only in the passing game but also in the run game.
“Having Lake back at full health has been fantastic,” said quarterback Miller Moss. “I have a lot of faith and trust in him, and I believe he’s performed as we expected him to.”
Freshman tight end Walker Lyons, who took a break last season to complete an LDS mission in Norway, made his first appearance against Utah State, where he caught three passes totaling 13 yards. Another freshman, Kade Eldridge, also contributed by catching two passes for 17 yards.
Lyons expressed his excitement, stating, “It was amazing to be out there. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to play, especially against a strong team like Utah State. It felt fantastic to finally be back on the field after such a long time away due to unique circumstances. It’s been a couple of years, and it was great to compete again. There’s definitely room for improvement, but playing in the Coliseum while wearing cardinal and gold was really special.”
The tight end position has been crucial in Riley’s offensive strategies during his tenure at Oklahoma, and the Trojans have experienced similar success this season.
USC Trojans in Big Ten Power Rankings: Trojans Over Oregon, Penn State, Nebraska.
On Monday, Fox Sports unveiled their updated Big Ten power rankings, placing the USC Trojans at No. 2, just behind the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Following their victory over LSU in Week 1 and a shutout against Utah State the following week, USC coach Lincoln Riley and his team have positioned themselves as contenders for the Big Ten title and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.
Completing the top five in the weekly rankings are Penn State, former Pac-12 rival Oregon, and Nebraska.
Southern California’s upcoming challenge will be in conference play as the Trojans face the Wolverines in their first-ever Big Ten matchup.
“While it was just Utah State, a team expected to finish seventh in the Mountain West, the Trojans achieved their first shutout since 2011, clearly indicating that new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn was a brilliant choice by head coach Lincoln Riley,” wrote Michael Cohen.
“Last week, Lynn’s defense limited LSU to only 20 points, holding the Tigers to a 38.5% success rate on third downs. This week, his unit restricted Utah State to under 200 total offensive yards, permitting just two third-down conversions while shutting down a passing attack that averaged 3.8 yards per attempt. The defense recorded three sacks, seven tackles for loss, and one interception, tying for 24th nationally in scoring defense at 10 points per game. The duo of Woody Marks and Quinten Joiner led a rushing attack that amassed 253 yards and five touchdowns overall. USC will enjoy a bye week before heading to Michigan on September 21.”
Michigan, the reigning national champions, has lost a significant number of players and coaches during the offseason. Coming off a 34-12 defeat to the Texas Longhorns, the Wolverines might be even more driven to defeat USC.
The Trojans are currently ranked No. 11 in the latest AP Poll and could move into the top 10 with a win over No. 17 Michigan. Ahead of this matchup against one of college football’s most storied programs, Riley and his squad will have a week to recuperate.
“We had the chance to see many young players make their debut at the Coliseum as USC Trojans, which was really exciting,” Riley remarked after the victory over Utah State. “I’m looking forward to the bye week ahead. We have plenty of work to do and I’m eager for what this season holds.”
If the Trojans can navigate what appears to be a challenging schedule with only a few setbacks, they may have the opportunity to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time in the school’s history.
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