USC has been outfoxed and outworked by Oregon and Ohio State on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal. It’s part of why Oregon and Ohio State are the two favorites to meet in the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game this December. Lincoln Riley knows that other Big Ten programs are setting the bar higher, but he insists that USC will be able to catch up, based on the improved NFL-level player development his defensive staff can bring to the table. If the NFL development can be seen, the recruiting equation will change for USC. Riley talked to Steve Wiltfong of On3 Sports at Big Ten media days:
“A lot of these guys have had relationships with some of these players for four, five or six months. People have not gotten a chance to play on the field yet,” Riley said. “Once that happens, they get to see the quality of coaching and development that’s going on here, they can see the quality of product on the field, these recruits and families really get a chance to know these defensive coaches that we’ve brought in. Like every other part of the program, that’s going to continue to grow.”
Riley added:
We’ve got two full classes in there with us now. Obviously, I think each year it’s going to continue to grow, and you’re going to look up here pretty soon and it’s going to be a championship-level roster.”
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