Lincoln Riley’s 3rd season at the Trojans ended with an unsatisfactory record of 7-6. This was a year of transition to the Big 10 for USC fans, but it was a year for Riley to adapt to the schematics of the conference. Offensively, there would not be too many coaches who could match the levels of Lincoln Riley. From developing Heisman-level quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Caleb Williams (an eventual Heisman winner at USC) to taking Oklahoma to new heights. This is a coach who knew how to produce winners.
Despite all these things, USC Trojans haven’t seen the best of Lincoln Riley yet. No playoff spots yet, and two consecutive seasons that didn’t even see 10 wins. Questions will certainly plague Riley despite his legacy, and that may lead to one of the biggest problems in the current NIL era: attrition. Can Lincoln Riley protect his players from outside influence, or would there be some players seeking pastures anew?
Marc Kulkin of ‘Locked on USC’ talks about the running back room and the attrition problem they could face due to Riley’s offensive schemes. “I don’t think USC is gonna have six running backs. Though, by the time fall camp starts, somebody will check out during that spring window again. Too many good players but not enough carries now…. Unless USC is starting to get into that whole Big 10 offense philosophy of clock management and running the ball. It’s gonna be interesting to see how Anthony Jones Jr and Lincoln Riley get this figured out this year because you’re recruiting running backs like they’re going out of style.”
Well, that is a concern with Riley’s offense in a conference that it seems has largely remained skeptical about air raid offense, which Riley uses. In the Big 10, most teams are old school in that aspect, as they have the emphasis of controlling the clock, protecting turnovers, and taking the game into that fourth quarter. And then unleash the power-based running heavy plays to seal the game. This essentially takes offense on a backseat and prioritizes defense. Which again isn’t bad, but that is not something Riley has been known for. He has the QB-whisperer.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 01: Woody Marks #4 of the USC Trojans celebrates his 13-yard, game-winning rushing touchdown against the LSU Tigers with Lake McRee #87, Elijah Paige #72, and Mason Murphy #76 in the fourth quarter against the LSU Tigers of the Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegiant Stadium on September 01, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Tigers 27-20. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Lincoln Riley is a long-time proponent of his own air raid offense, which he inherited from Mike Leach’s Texas Tech. Since then, he has found success with it. He has tweaked and put in his elements like RPO play calls and complicated meshes to confuse defenses to open space for QBs who largely remain a dual threat in his system. That is not to say that Riley doesn’t involve rushing plays, as he himself prioritizes a mix of both. But it’s just that the running backs do not see the level of involvement in his offense that receivers and tight ends do. We see only one or two RBs in his offense. We saw Woody Marks have 1,133 rushing yards in his setup in the 2024 season.
All this essentially points to one thing. There aren’t too many running backs needed in his offense. As a result, players like Brian Jackson or A’Marion Peterson could see themselves out because of non-involvement. That being said, rotating the players would be one option. However, with the type of caliber all these players have, it will be hard to convince them to be the rotational prospects. Also, Riley has Eli Sanders coming in from UNM, who last year had 1,063 rushing yards and scored 9 touchdowns. So, there may be some type of attrition we could see in the running back room.
Lincoln Riley’s $154K gamble for Husan Longstreet?
We all know the job Lincoln Riley is starting to do and the rebuild he is doing for the USC Trojans. He has the 5th-ranked class in the Big Ten and has some very talented prospects. Prospects like Husan Longstreet, who is a five-star, 4th-ranked QB nationally. Then there is Jahkeem Stewart, another 5th-ranked DL in the country. But more than the recruitments, Riley’s transfers are also quite well planned. In came Keeshawn Silver (DL) from Kentucky Wildcats, who had 26 total tackles last year. Then there is the much-anticipated DJ Harvey (CB) from San Jose State and Eli Sanders (RB) from UNM. It certainly looks like Riley is quite serious this time. However, it didn’t come cheap.
Andrew from the SMI College Football Show provided the change in recruiting strategy for Lincoln Riley. “Yeah, that makes sense. Lincoln Riley, quarterback—you know, that’s what they do. That’s what this team is all about… But when I tell you the top five recruits per PFF of this 2026 class, they’re a five-star defensive lineman, a four-star corner, a four-star D-lineman, a four-star D-lineman, and a four-star cornerback. The top five recruits are all defensive players.”
Well, Riley’s 2026 class is loaded with talent, too. Currently, they are ranked 1st nationally. They have Xavier Griffin (LB), ranked 2nd in the country. Then they have RJ Sermons, the third-ranked CB in America, and Jonas Williams, a top-level QB prospect. All in all, they have roped in 15 commits at an average of $154K NIL value till now. This looks like the foundation and weapons for Husan Longstreet, who looks to be their long-term QB choice moving forward.
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