Lincoln Riley did a “media tour” after being hired as USC football coach. He decided he needed to do another media blitz on Monday, talking to several different high-profile sports personalities. One of his stops was with the Pat McAfee Show on the ESPN family of networks.
Media outlets are naturally interested in Riley’s thoughts on quarterback Caleb Williams, the favorite to be taken with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. There is a lot of speculation that the Washington Commanders will try to trade up to the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 pick and bring Williams home to the DMV, where Kliff Kingsbury — who served on Riley’s 2023 USC staff — has been hired as offensive coordinator. Riley discussed Caleb Williams’ NFL outlook in his conversation with McAfee.
If there was a clear-cut purpose attached to Riley’s “media tour,” it was to tell the nation — specifically recruits and transfer portal prospects — that USC is now serious about defense. The Trojans have moved beyond Alex Grinch and have hired a set of elite defensive coaches, the latest one being former Los Angeles Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson, who is impressing everyone with his knowledge of the game and his energy on the recruiting trail. Riley is trying to send a message about the new USC. We will see if it pays off.
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