One year ago: Reliving JuJu Smith-Schuster’s Super Bowl LVII win with the Chiefs

JuJu Smith-Schuster had a night he will never forget at #SuperBowlLVII. Relive his game of glory and the reactions which poured in.

Former USC Trojans star JuJu Smith-Schuster has had a roller-coaster NFL career. However, none of it mattered after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl one year ago.

Smith-Schuster caught seven passes in Super Bowl LVII. He was held by Philadelphia Eagle defensive back James Bradberry on a third-down pass inside the final two minutes. The holding penalty enabled the Chiefs to drain the Eagles’ timeouts and run the clock down to 11 seconds before kicking the winning field goal with eight seconds left. Smith-Schuster played a key role in helping his team win the Super Bowl. It’s the latest Lombardi Trophy for a Trojan football product.

There was a lot of news attached to Smith-Schuster’s Super Bowl victory. The fact that he was the focal point of the game’s most important and controversial play made him even more central to the postgame conversation. Regardless of what you think about that penalty call, this much is true: Another USC player is a Super Bowl champion.

Bronny James continues to struggle as USC falters once again

Isaiah Collier’s return did not help the USC Trojans on Wednesday as they fell to 3-9 in Pac-12 play with an overtime loss to Cal.

The return of top ranked freshman Isaiah Collier did nothing to help the USC Trojans as they fell in overtime to the Cal Golden Bears, 83-77, on Wednesday evening. The loss brings USC’s conference record to a pitiful 3-9, and they now sit just 9-14 overall.

Collier dropped 20 points with three assists and just one turnover in his first game since January 10, although he was just 4-13 from the field and 0-1 from three – getting 12 of his 20 points at the free throw line.

While Collier’s return from a hand injury did not lead USC to a victory, the Trojans were in even worse shape when he was on the shelf – in part because Bronny James could not replace the scoring and rim pressure Collier brought to the starting lineup.

In six games without Collier, James played 24 minutes per night and averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. He shot just 36.4% on two pointers and 29.4% from three, while only getting to the free throw line six total times. USC went 1-5 in those six games.

Collier’s return could help USC play spoiler down the stretch, with games remaining against potential NCAA Tournament teams Colorado, Utah, Washington State, and Arizona, but this team is far from the Big Dance and the future of James, who many felt would be a one-and-done so he could play with his father LeBron, remains a huge question mark.

USC will not face Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan at Washington next year

USC won’t have to play Noah Fifita or Tetairoa McMillan in 2024 as members of the Washington Huskies. That’s #B1G.

Arizona Wildcat football fans have a lot to celebrate today. The Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Noah Fifita, and sophomore Second Team All-Pac-12 selection Tetairoa McMillan will be returning to Tucson to play for new head coach Brent Brennan in 2024. Fifita and McMillan explain in a tweet below from Arizona Football, “Tucson we have unfinished business. We runnin’ it back!”

This means that Trojan fans, Lincoln Riley, and D’Anton Lynn might also be celebrating today with the Wildcats. These prime Arizona players will not follow Jedd Fisch, the head coach who recruited them both out of Servite High School in Anaheim, to Washington next season. USC is scheduled to play its (soon-to-be) former Pac-12 opponent in a conference game in the Big Ten on November 2, 2024, in Seattle.

247Sports shared a conversation with Les Fifita, Noah’s father, in which he explains that McMillan and his son had thoughts of leaving, but it was not where everyone was expecting.

“We’ve known Kalen DeBoer for a long time and he loved Noah when he was at Fresno State,” [Les Fifita] said. “He recruited him hard when Noah was at Servite and they wanted both boys at Alabama.

“It’s ’Bama, we had to listen. But, end of the day, both kids felt like they had unfinished business here. Plus, it’s a family here — it really is. We want to keep this thing together and we know the whole team couldn’t go to ’Bama just like the whole team wasn’t being recruited to Washington. This is the best move for everyone and, with Noah and TMac and the core staying, we think we got a great shot to keep everyone else here as well.”

The Wildcats have their dynamic passing duo back for their first year in the Big 12. Fisch will continue to search for a replacement for Heisman runner-up Michael Penix, who is off to the NFL, and Will Rogers, the transfer from Mississippi State who entered the portal again when DeBoer left Washington. Most importantly, the Trojans will not face the trio of Fisch, Fifita and McMillan in 2024, a combination that took USC and Riley to triple overtime last October in the Coliseum.

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Caleb Williams and Kliff Kingsbury to Chicago? Kingsbury set to interview with the Bears

USC’s coach and quarterback duo could be reunited in Chicago, as Bears are set to interview Kliff Kingsbury for offensive coordinator.

Adam Schefter announced on Friday that USC senior offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach, Kliff Kingsbury, will be interviewing for the offensive coordinator position of the Chicago Bears.

Kingsbury was hired by the Trojans in 2023, where the team went 8-5, and beat Louisville in the Holiday Bowl.

However, USC’s Holiday Bowl win is likely not the reason that the Bears are interested in him. In his one season with the Trojans, Kingsbury was the quarterbacks coach of NFL prospect Caleb Williams.

Williams won the 2023 Heisman Award and is expected to be the first quarterback taken in the NFL Draft this year. Many believe he will go first overall with the pick belonging to the Bears.

The most interesting aspect of the entire situation is the ramifications that it could have on the Bears’ current quarterback, Justin Fields. The Bears have not openly discussed whether they will stick with Fields or draft a new quarterback in April.

Adding Kingsbury to the staff might point to the Bears planning a quick reunion of the Trojans duo.

USC men’s basketball loses fourth straight Pac-12 game, fades late at Arizona State

Turnovers doomed USC in the desert.

In another disappointing performance in the desert, the USC Trojans endured a tough defeat against the Arizona State University Sun Devils, losing 82-67. This marks the Trojans’ second consecutive 15-point loss and extends their losing streak to four games in the Pac-12 Conference. With this defeat, USC’s overall record now stands at 8-11, with a conference record of 2-6.

The ongoing challenge for USC coach Andy Enfield in this game was the continued absence of star guard Boogie Ellis and freshman phenom Isaiah Collier. Bronny James had 7 points, 4 rebounds and a team leading 5 assists, but he looked hesitant and a step slow due to the incessant pressure on the ball by ASU that led to his three turnovers.  Without a proven point guard, USC struggled to find its rhythm on both ends of the court.

The game started with promise for USC. The Trojans shot a remarkable 54% from the field and 57% beyond the arc in the first half. However, their success was marred by sloppy ball-handling and passing, leading to a staggering 15 turnovers.

Arizona State’s coach, Bobby Hurley, implemented a full-court press that capitalized on USC’s lack of ballhandlers. Despite a double-double effort by Vince Iwuchukwu, who contributed a game-high 14 points and 12 rebounds, the Trojans were unable to overcome ASU’s defensive pressure.

Turnovers continued to haunt the Trojans, reaching a season-high of 22. These turnovers translated into fast-break points for ASU, with a significant +16 advantage. Furthermore, the Sun Devils capitalized on USC’s mistakes, scoring 24 points off turnovers.  The discrepancy in steals was notable, with ASU recording 12 steals compared to USC’s 3. This issue plagued the Trojans in their previous game against the Arizona Wildcats, resulting in an identical score and similar loss.

A hot start to the second half for ASU’s Frankie Collins — who scored eight straight points — stretched the lead to 51-40 for the Sun Devils. In a game of runs, ASU went on a final 17-2 run down the stretch to push its lead near 20 inside the final three minutes, sealing USC’s fate.

Jose Perez emerged as a key player for the Sun Devils, leading the way with impressive 50% shooting from the floor. He contributed 20 points to his team’s victory.

Next up for the Trojans is a home game against their crosstown rival, the UCLA Bruins.  The game tips off just after 5 p.m. local time at USC’s Galen center.  It will be televised on ESPN2 and the radio broadcast is on KABC 790 AM.

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USC edge defender Romello Height enters the trasfer portal

We wish Romello Height the best, wherever he ultimately lands.

A USC fan favorite is moving elsewhere. Redshirt senior Romello Height, a promising prospect at the rush end position, will enter the transfer portal for the second time in his college career.

Height was originally a four-star recruit and the Georgia Class 2A Defensive Player of the Year in high school who signed with the Auburn Tigers.  He transferred to USC in 2022 where he began the season as the starting rush end and was expected to add speed and toughness to the edge defense. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the second game of the season against Stanford.

Returning to action in 2023, Height came off the bench in his only full season at USC, playing in every game except Washington in Week 10. In Week 3 against Arizona State, he had his most significant impact, recording five tackles and two sacks. His only other game with at least three tackles was the previous week against Stanford. As the season progressed, his production diminished significantly. He finished the season with 21 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and a fumble recovery.

If granted a medical hardship waiver for the 2022 season, he could possibly have three years of eligibility.

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Can USC keep Julian Lewis’ commitment after his reclassification to 2025?

This recruitment does not feel settled. USC will have to clear more hurdles.

Announcing that he will be reclassifying to the 2025 recruiting class, Julian Lewis, the 6-1, 185-pound quarterback from Carrollton, Georgia, will see his recruitment heat up again.

Lewis committed to USC last year in August, choosing the Trojans over Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Oregon, and Texas A&M. He made it clear that Lincoln Riley’s history with quarterbacks was the deciding factor. Riley, who is only 40 years old, has already coached three Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks: Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams. The first two were also the first overall picks in the NFL draft, and Williams is expected to join them.

LSU has moved on and secured the commitment of the No. 1 recruit and quarterback in the 247Sports composite rankings, Bryce Underwood. Ohio State, a Big Ten rival, signed the No. 4 quarterback in the 2024 class, Air Noland, and the Buckeyes already have an elite 2025 quarterback commit in Tavien St. Clair. Elite quarterbacks do not sign in pairs, so these two schools are out of the running.

That leaves two other schools Lewis has visited twice since committing to USC: Georgia and Alabama. Lewis is from Georgia, and the Bulldogs are in need of an elite quarterback after Dylan Raiola flipped his commitment on signing day and signed with his father’s alma mater, Nebraska. While Alabama signed the top quarterback in the 2024 class, Julian Sayin, the Tide will likely still be in the market for another signal-caller in the 2025 class.

Julian and his family are very familiar with the local powerhouses that will pursue him until early signing day in December, and he chose USC. Perhaps the words of Julian’s father, TC Lewis, will help to ease concerns in Troy.

In an interview with 247Sports last summer, TC explained: “If Lincoln Riley doesn’t go [to an SEC team], it’s not an option.  With the word of NIL and that school academically and everything LA can bring and seeing the type focus Caleb has had and talking to Caleb’s dad about it, there is nowhere else to go. It seems like the smart move.”

It is often said that actions speak louder than words. Julian Lewis has a 25-3 record as the starting quarterback at Carrollton High School, but there have been rumors that he may transfer to Mater Dei or St. John Bosco in Southern California. While his father’s words are reassuring to Trojan fans, a move out west would certainly secure his son’s commitment to Lincoln Riley’s program. However, there is no guarantee this will happen. Dylan Raiola, who played high school football in Chandler, Arizona, transferred to Georgia to play his senior year, and we know how that ended.

The one thing you can always rely on in high school recruiting: it’s fluid. So buckle up, Trojans; it might be a bumpy ride.

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USC quarterback and likely No. 1 pick Caleb Williams declares for the NFL draft

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner ends his collegiate career with 10,082 career passing yards, 93 passing touchdowns, 27 rushing touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

In one of the least shocking announcements of the college football offseason, USC quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams announced he would declare for the 2024 NFL Draft on Monday.

“Since I was 10, all I ever wanted to do was play football,” Williams said in the social media announcement. “I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”

The heavy favorite to be both the first quarterback and the first player drafted in April, Williams ends his collegiate career with 10,082 career passing yards, 93 passing touchdowns, 27 rushing touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in just 34 full games of work with the Trojans and Oklahoma.

He became the eighth underclassman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2022, a season that saw him throw for 4,537 yards, score 52 total touchdowns, and throw just five interceptions.

Despite not replicating his Heisman status, he actually increased his completion percentage from 66.6% to 68.6% and his yards per attempt from 9.1 to 9.4 this past season, and the USC offense averaged more points per game in 2023 (41.8) than in 2022 (41.4). However, the nation’s 121st-ranked scoring defense held the Trojans down to 7-5.

Williams and UNC quarterback Drake Maye will be the top names atop NFL draft boards over the coming months.

Get more USC coverage at Trojans Wire.

USC’s 2024 Big Ten football schedule just got easier

Washington’s roster will be gutted, and its coach won’t be around in 2024. This game is a lot more manageable for USC.

USC was set to have a challenging schedule in 2024, playing against the two teams that competed in this past season’s national championship game: the Washington Huskies and the Michigan Wolverines.

To be sure, USC still faces a very tough schedule. However, while there is uncertainty about the future of Michigan’s head coach, Jim Harbaugh, in Ann Arbor, it is now certain that the Huskies will face the Trojans with a new head coach in place. USC has to love that.

The AP and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year for the Huskies, Kalen DeBoer, is leaving to take over for legendary coach Nick Saban at Alabama. (Follow Roll Tide Wire for full coverage of this story.)

In addition to DeBoer, the Huskies will also lose elite players. They will lose their Heisman Trophy runner-up, Michael Penix Jr., and one of the best receiving corps in college football to the NFL. Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan were considered likely to leave for the NFL draft, but redshirt sophomore Ja’Lynn Polk has announced that he will join them as professionals, which might come as a slight surprise. It will also be interesting to see if any of the Joe Moore Award offensive linemen for UW will travel with DeBoer to Tuscaloosa in the transfer portal.

With Washington losing its star head coach and several key players from one of the sport’s best offenses, the daunting task of playing Washington in Seattle in 2024 — in USC’s inaugural season in the Big Ten — has become much more manageable. This is the break D’Anton Lynn needed as he installs his defense in Year 1.

The Huskies were a seasoned, well-oiled machine, and although they have Mississippi State Bulldog quarterback transfer Will Rogers joining the team in 2024, the loss of DeBoer and the key starters on offense will make this a complete rebuild for the Husky offense.

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More Bronny James for USC with Isaiah Collier out with wrist injury

USC Trojans star freshman guard Isaiah Collier is out 4-to-6 weeks with a hand injury, which will lead to more playing time for Bronny James.

A bad season for USC basketball got even worse on Thursday evening after the Trojans announced star freshman guard Isaiah Collier will be out four-to-six weeks with a hand injury which he suffered on Wednesday against Washington State.

Collier came to USC as the top ranked freshman in the 2023 class, but his performance with the Trojans has been spotty at best. Across 16 games, Collier has averaged 15.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 58.1% on two pointers but just 31.3% from three and 66.3% from the free throw line.

The big issue for Collier has been turnovers, as the dynamic guard is capable of taking over games and wowing folks with his athleticism – but his 3.6 turnovers per contest cost USC throughout the season, with most expecting to see continued growth in that area as the season went on.

Unfortunately, Collier won’t get that opportunity for at least the next month, and there is a very real chance his season is over if the team is out of contention by mid to late February.

For USC, it means more playing time and a bigger role for another highly-regarded freshman guard, Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James who did not make his season debut until mid-December after suffering cardiac arrest over the summer.

Across his eight games, James has played 16.9 minutes per night and is averaging 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 62.5% on twos but just 26.1% from three.

Now, however, he will likely step into a starting role alongside talented guards Boogie Ellis and Kobe Johnson, and will get a chance to showcase his skills and potentially push his way into the 2024 NBA draft conversation – which will be a huge storyline if LeBron continues to say he wants to play with his son next season.