Maybe Erwin Taomi will need to help USC’s 2024 offensive line, but the initial reaction from USC coaches is that this is more of a developmental project than a quick roster fix.
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“I want us to be a developmental program, and certainly the lines of scrimmage and not going very portal-heavy at all, really, on either one, I think showed that we’re doubling down on that notion,” Riley said.
Riley had also admitted after USC’s first spring practice in March, however, that the program’s depth at tackle was “a little bit of a concern.” Taomi, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 335 pounds, fills an immediate need while also offering developmental upside, a 19-year-old who’s played one season of junior college.
“I definitely think he was brought in to help the O-line room,” (high school coach Pepe) Villasenor said. “Apparently, they were short on some numbers, but I think Coach Henson felt like this young man – with some development and some experience – can definitely develop into a potential starter in the future.”
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