"Nearly half of the players in attendance for Tuesday's first day (46 of 103) were either freshmen or redshirt freshmen. That's almost triple the current size of USC's junior or senior classes (16). If the Trojans have any hope of making the College Football Playoff for the first time in five tries under Lincoln Riley, an influx of 18- and 19-year-olds will play a major part."
"At no position will that be more critical than pass catcher, where USC must replace its top two wide receivers, Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, and top two tight ends, Lake McRee and Walker Lyons. In their place steps a deep crop of young talented options, all hoping to emerge this spring."
"There's a lot of new guys. Getting a look at these people, seeing where they're at in terms of their development and where they've gotta go, I think the evaluation process is going to be really important."
USC opened spring practice with an unusually large freshman class, featuring 32 players from the nation's top recruiting class in 2026. Nearly half of the 103 players attending the first day of spring practice were freshmen or redshirt freshmen, compared to only 16 junior and senior players. This significant youth influx reflects USC's need for rapid player development to achieve College Football Playoff success under head coach Lincoln Riley. The Trojans face particular challenges at pass catcher positions, needing to replace top wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, plus tight ends Lake McRee and Walker Lyons. Four incoming freshman receivers and two tight ends will compete for opportunities to fill these critical roles during spring practice.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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