If some of these defensive transfers really don't want to uproot their lives and, all things considered, still like being a "student" at USC, they owe it to themselves to stick around one more year and see if Lynn and his staff can further develop them as players. It's not as though many (or any) of these guys are being offered big NIL bucks elsewhere...are they? Because if they are, it sure isn't based on performance, just potential. That potential could still be developed at USC.
Lynn is no miracle worker, but he took the same personnel from a pretty lousy UCLA defense (in '22) and turned them into a pretty damned good defense ('23) in only a few months. The defense wasn't great, and they had some struggles against well-balanced offenses. But the players were definitely improved; their pursuit, their tackling, their coverage, all improved. And he instilled a real sense of pride in that unit, something UCLA hadn't seen since Jim Mora's first couple of defenses at UCLA (under Lou Spanos), ten years ago.
These kids could do a lot worse than giving it a try. USC's defense will be noticeably improved next season, I guarantee it. I'm guessing the offense will eventually unfuck itself, probably sooner rather than later. I think having Williams was a double-edged sword; he was a great passer, but he was also a prima donna and an albatross of expectations, and CLR relied on him way too much. If Riley hasn't learned from that, then good luck.
But if any of the guys on defense still want to bail without considering how they can contribute to turning it around, then fuck 'em, you don't need them anyway.
Some of these guys may come back. entering the portal isn't like declaring for the draft.
All of these guys are going to be stepping down to lesser programs if they are lucky enough to find a landing spot. Many won't even find that. So I agree with you; some of these guys need to probably stick it out at usc and see if the new coaching helps them.
I already posted and as Lincoln Riley explained...he would hope kids would stick around and develop but if they want to leave...bye bye and move on with the kids that want to be there...he added that basicaly get some lose some...the way of the game today...
I'd look at Ohio St as a potential destination...
If some of these defensive transfers really don't want to uproot their lives and, all things considered, still like being a "student" at USC, they owe it to themselves to stick around one more year and see if Lynn and his staff can further develop them as players. It's not as though many (or any) of these guys are being offered big NIL bucks elsewhere...are they? Because if they are, it sure isn't based on performance, just potential. That potential could still be developed at USC.
Lynn is no miracle worker, but he took the same personnel from a pretty lousy UCLA defense (in '22) and turned them into a pretty damned good defense ('23) in only a few months. The defense wasn't great, and they had some struggles against well-balanced offenses. But the players were definitely improved; their pursuit, their tackling, their coverage, all improved. And he instilled a real sense of pride in that unit, something UCLA hadn't seen since Jim Mora's first couple of defenses at UCLA (under Lou Spanos), ten years ago.
These kids could do a lot worse than giving it a try. USC's defense will be noticeably improved next season, I guarantee it. I'm guessing the offense will eventually unfuck itself, probably sooner rather than later. I think having Williams was a double-edged sword; he was a great passer, but he was also a prima donna and an albatross of expectations, and CLR relied on him way too much. If Riley hasn't learned from that, then good luck.
But if any of the guys on defense still want to bail without considering how they can contribute to turning it around, then fuck 'em, you don't need them anyway.
I already posted and as Lincoln Riley explained...he would hope kids would stick around and develop but if they want to leave...bye bye and move on with the kids that want to be there...he added that basicaly get some lose some...the way of the game today...
These kids are lost without their wristbands at trying to figure out where to lineup for the portal.