Hello, everybody! Welcome again to the Instances of Troy e-newsletter. I’m Ryan Kartje, the USC beat author at The Instances, and whereas March Insanity rolls on for the Ladies of Troy tonight, I wished to take a short step away from basketball this week to speak about one thing far much less consequential, and but nonetheless entrance of thoughts for a lot of of you … spring soccer.
USC opens its spring soccer apply Tuesday, decided apparently to check the endurance of these additionally protecting the Trojans’ match run. The varsity received’t maintain a spring recreation in April, that means any observations from the media shall be restricted to solely the quarter-hour of stretching and drills at first of apply.
So we aren’t more likely to get many definitive solutions this spring. However listed here are the questions I’ll be asking over the subsequent a number of weeks, as we get our first few glimpses of USC soccer in 2025.
What’s happening at quarterback?
Lincoln Riley expressed confidence in Jayden Maiava after the sophomore began the ultimate 4 video games — and received three — final season. However he gave loads of causes over that stretch to query whether or not he’s the reply long run, and we haven’t heard a lot but about Maiava’s method this offseason.
He’ll get the possibility to make an announcement this spring because the QB1 in camp. However all eyes be on five-star freshman Husan Longstreet, who has been with the group since bowl practices. If Maiava remains to be simply as uncooked this spring, it’s not inconceivable to assume that Longstreet may get a glance someday this season.
Don’t low cost Utah switch Sam Huard, both. He has the recruiting pedigree, on the very least. To not point out a member of the family at offensive coordinator who most likely is aware of how greatest to benefit from his expertise. He’ll battle with Longstreet to be the backup.
Who’s more likely to lead USC’s backfield?
Woody Marks is off to the NFL, and Quinten Joyner left within the switch portal, leaving USC with a model new backfield to interrupt on this spring and no sense but of a pecking order on the place.
The Trojans added the highest junior faculty again available on the market in Waymond Jordan, who’s coming off a sophomore season wherein he led the nation in yards (1,674), yards per recreation (134.5) and touchdowns (20 in 12 video games). He feels just like the seemingly 1A to start out the spring, whereas New Mexico switch Eli Sanders ought to step in as a robust 1B after averaging over 7 yards per carry with the Lobos final season.
What meaning for sophomore Bryan Jackson remains to be to be seen. Jackson performed a lead position within the Vegas Bowl, however might need to accept third fiddle within the Trojans’ offense this season.
What can we count on from Jahkeem Stewart and USC’s different freshmen?
The early glimpses of Stewart in USC’s social content material have been sufficient to work some followers right into a lather, and, properly … I don’t blame them. At 6-6, 290 kilos, Stewart seems nothing like a freshman, not to mention a 17-year outdated who reclassified, skipped a 12 months of college and solely performed in 12 varsity soccer video games.
We don’t know how shortly he’ll have the ability to choose up D’Anton Lynn’s protection, however from a bodily standpoint, Stewart most likely was prepared to enhance USC’s entrance by age 14. He’ll need to work his means up the depth chart first, with Kameryn Fountain, Anthony Lucas and Braylan Shelby all returning with important expertise. However one thing tells me it received’t be lengthy.
As for the opposite freshmen in camp, I’ll be curious to see how shortly cornerback Alex Graham stands out amongst a crowded group of corners. He’s earned rave evaluations since signing with USC in December. Up entrance, four-star tackles Aaron Dunn and Alex Payne must also get a shot to show whether or not they can push Tobias Raymond at proper deal with.
Who will emerge in USC’s secondary?
No place group has extra query marks for USC, which should exchange all three of its beginning corners, whereas additionally filling one beginning security spot. The return of Kamari Ramsey is a significant elevate on the different security spot, however that’s about the place the certainties finish.
San Jose State switch DJ Harvey will presumably take one of many three beginning nook spots, however the different two are up for grabs between the likes of Braylon Conley, DeCarlos Nicholson, Marcelles Williams and Prophet Brown, in addition to freshmen Graham and Trestin Castro.
May USC add one other nook within the switch portal this spring? It’s doable. However for now, USC is more likely to cycle by way of all its choices, in hopes of discovering one thing that matches.
—The USC-Connecticut rematch within the Elite Eight feels inevitable. There’s a cause why Lindsay Gottlieb wasn’t notably comfortable about USC’s seeding, and a variety of that has to do with what seemingly awaits the Trojans in two extra rounds. The Huskies are at the moment the betting favourite to win the entire match as a No. 2 seed and are one of many few groups with the required firepower to maintain up with the Trojans. Assuming USC beats Mississippi State on Monday night time, it’s going to first face Kansas State within the Candy 16 after the Wildcats upended Kentucky in time beyond regulation. However all of the indicators are pointing towards an epic Elite Eight rematch after that. Get your popcorn prepared.
—Sony is suing USC for copyright infringement for utilizing songs from its label in USC athletics movies on social media. The lawsuit claims USC allowed the usage of 170 unlicensed recordings in 283 movies on social media, together with hits by Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Usher, Harry Kinds and Celine Dion. Among the many movies flagged for utilizing unlicensed recordings of Sony’s songs was “Arrival of the Trojan,” the slick hype video that USC soccer performed throughout social media and at each house recreation final season. Sony says it warned USC on quite a few events about utilizing unlicensed songs. Now it’s asking for $42 million — or $150,000 per track.
—USC has raised $174 million of its $225-million aim for its Athletic West capital undertaking. That’s a variety of moolah and consists of two new donations of $5 million (!!) or extra. USC was doing so properly elevating funds for the undertaking that it upped its fundraising aim from $200 million to $225 million. A supply informed The Instances that the finances of the undertaking hasn’t modified from the unique $200 million, however slightly USC is simply seeking to elevate more cash.
In case you missed it
What I’m Watching This Week
Of us, we’ve obtained an early entrant within the present of the 12 months race. “Adolescence” begins with a 13-year-old boy accused of homicide and walks the viewer by way of each step of the anguish that comes from his arrest. Every of the 4 episodes of this Netflix restricted sequence is shot totally in a single monitoring shot, in real-time, which makes for a novel viewing expertise. I don’t use this phrase flippantly, however this present is a masterpiece. It will get my highest advice.
