Tag: Jamil Muhammad

USC defensive line has a chance to show the full measure of its quality

2023 injuries and coaching changes could lead to a better-than-expected 2024 for the USC defensive line.

College football analyst and magazine publisher Phil Steele has rated the USC defensive line No. 46 in the country heading into the 2024 season. Bear Alexander is back for his third year of college football, his second with the Trojans and his first with new defensive line coach Eric Henderson. Former five-star prospect Anthony Lucas received praise from defensive ends coach Shaun Nua as being the most versatile player on the line, and he should shine both on the interior and exterior of the line. Can Lucas reach his potential with some “Dawgwork”? On the outside, Jamil Muhammad started the 2023 season hot, but his production tailed off toward the end of the year, which led to speculation that injuries might have caught up with him. However, with the increased depth this season, the load will be lighter and he should thrive.

Last year, 6-5, 250-pound Braylan Shelby flashed his elite combination of size and quickness. This year Kameryn Fountain, a 6-6, 256-pound freshman from Mobile, Alabama, was lured away from Alabama and Georgia to play at USC. He is young, but he has shown that he has a high ceiling.

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USC’s Jamil Muhammad announces return for 2024 season

Notably, Jamil Muhammad didn’t wait for a defensive coordinator announcement. He wants to come back to USC.

USC senior linebacker Jamil Muhammad has skipped the NFL draft for one more season and is deciding to stay in L.A for 2024.

In a statement on social media he had this to say about forgoing the 2024 NFL draft:

“I want to thank each and every person who has helped me along my journey thus far. I am grateful for my coaches, teammates, fans, and most importantly my family,” said Muhammad. “They have stuck by me through thick and thin and this is for them just as much as it is for me! It has been a blessing to be allowed a chance to be a part of this prestigious program at USC. With that being said, I will be returning for one more year of eligibility!”

The Georgia State transfer accounted for 41 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass defended while appearing in all 12 regular-season games. He is also second on the team in tackles for loss.

Jamil Muhammad was named one of eight seniors generating buzz among Nagy and the Senior Bowl staff earlier this season, but his stock could rise even more for the 2025 NFL draft.

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Know your foe USC: Which Trojans can give Notre Dame problems

The Irish will have their hands full this weekend

We are not going to state the obvious here, [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] needs to somewhat contain USC  quarterback[autotag]Caleb Williams[/autotag].

It’s a tough task that not many have been able to do, but he’s not the only weapon that the Trojans will bring to South Bend on Saturday evening. As one of the top ranked teams in the country and one of the few remaining unbeaten teams, USC has talent all over the field. Even if it does seem like they have underperformed.

Let’s take a look at some of the other Trojans that could give Notre Dame problems this weekend.

USC statistical leaders through six games

You probably can name one of these guys offhand.

USC nearly lost its perfect season against Arizona but survived. Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff chances ended with a loss at Louisville. Neither team is coming into their annual meeting with the best momentum. That means talent could be the game’s determining factor.

This is a perfect opportunity for the Trojans to make a statement. They’re catching the Irish when they’re fatigued and struggling. The only thing that could slow them down is the wet conditions forecast for the game, but they’re preparing for that by using water in rather interesting ways in practice. While there’s no way to tell if that will affect anything, it shows they’re not leaving anything up to chance.

As you’re about to see, there are several players responsible for the Trojans’ offense being the country’s highest scoring, not the least of whom is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback. Here he is among the top Trojans players on both sides of the ball:

USC’s Jamil Muhammad builds his NFL draft stock

Jamil Muhammad has been a bright spot on USC’s underperforming defense.

Each week during the season, On3 Sports talks to Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy to identify 2024 NFL draft prospects whose stock is on the rise.

USC’s Jamil Muhammad was named one of eight seniors generating buzz among Nagy and the Senior Bowl staff coming out of Week 6.

Muhammad posted five tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and an additional QB hurry during USC’s 43-41 overtime win over Arizona. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Georgia State transfer has 10 tackles for loss and six sacks in the Trojans’ last five games.

“The Georgia State transfer has been a huge portal find for Trojans,” Nagy said. “Had another huge game in an unexpectedly close 43-41 OT win over Arizona. Already has twice as many TFLs this year for USC (10.0) than he had all of last season for Georgia State (5.0) ands sack total is up from 1.5 a year ago to six this season. Has at least one sack in each of the past five games. He’s ‘popped’ on tape every game the Senior Bowl has looked at this fall.”

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Prominent Pac-12 sports journalist thinks USC is likely to fire Alex Grinch before season’s end.

USC and Lincoln Riley need to have a plan in place if Alex Grinch coaches poorly and loses to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator might actually be worse than Alex Grinch, a fascinating plot point heading into the October 14 renewal of Irish-Trojans.

Brent Venables is coaching Oklahoma far better this year than Lincoln Riley is coaching USC. It’s up to Riley to change that reality against Notre Dame and Utah.