The departures of Tackett Curtis and Domani Jackson from USC hit the program hard. There were such high hopes for these two highly-rated players. Losing a few blue-chip recruits in the transfer portal is a stinging reality for a program which underachieved in 2023. There is, on this Christmas, an important note to make about these two players and, for that matter, other defensive players leaving the Trojans in the transfer portal.
We obviously didn’t see the best of Tackett Curtis and Domani Jackson in 2023. Most USC fans understand that these players did not receive good coaching from Alex Grinch, Donte Williams, and the rest of the defensive staff, but a minority of USC fans simply think they’re not very good to begin with.
Let’s be honest: What if D’Anton Lynn, Matt Entz, and Doug Belk coached Curtis and Jackson? Would we be having this same conversation right now? Would USC have done as poorly in 2023 as it did under Grinch?
Are Curtis and Jackson mediocre and overrated players? Maybe, but we don’t know that.
Were Curtis and Jackson coached poorly in 2023? Yes, we definitely know that.
Let’s start with what we clearly know. Let’s wait to see on matters we don’t fully know about. Christmas is a time for empathy. Let’s show a little to former USC players who weren’t given good coaching while they were here.
We wish Tackett Curtis and Domani Jackson the best, wherever they ultimately land.
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