Inside the Trojans' Huddle: Transfer portal-palooza

[@hoss6048]

Remember Matt Grootegoed? How “elite” was he coming to SC? All I know is he was a hell of a player. SC needs guys like that.

[@WallaceArakawa]

Every off-season, it is mandatory that we USC fans remember the immortal words of Trojan great Keyshawn Johnson: If a player decides he no longer wants to be a USC Trojan, then let him go, wish him luck, because we really don't want him."

[@duncanidaho2097]

Keyshawn is a great Trojan.

[@Sbannmarie]

You guys are the best. Yes- tell it like it is! “Don’t let the door hit you where the good lord split you” LOL

[@smedleybutler8787]

When it comes to transferring .. Chris's opinions were spot on.

[@littlesame]

Riley said before recruit is foundation but transfer helps elevate the program at a faster pace. Branch brothers just did a USC related NIL ad clip they’re Trojans for life ✌🏼 Congrats Chris!

[@TrojanCondor]

In his first year, Coach Riley took the job to be a head coach and revive a program and make it his job. After two years it feels like Lincoln. Riley is actually becoming a Trojan and understand what that means and to where that Cardinal and Gold and have, it run through your veins. I see passion in him now as a true Trojan that he has not had in the past two years, which really makes me feel good.

[@littlesame]

True. You can tell his Trojan spirit now

[@skylimitkt]

Lincoln Riley shows he will play the best QB, he played Caleb Willams when Spener rattler was suppose to be the next Heisman and number 1 pick. Nelson was hurt, he quit he didn’t even try

[@hrpickinstuff]

Congratulations Chris. Wishing you and your new bride. Good health and Happiness.

[@jayrod1980]

Loved this episode… make em all 2 hours ❤️

[@stopthefomo]

Our DBs were terrible this year always out of position with bad angles and not aggressive at all, dunno who’s at fault but there needs to be a change in the secondary

[@duncanidaho2097]

Yeah they always looked lost on the field and unsure of assignments. Never seen this on a Trojan team before. I can’t help but feel that this the result of ineffective coaching. Unless these guys are now just uncoachable.

[@scottklase]

Here we go…Let the games begin. Looking for an early round knockout by Chris.

[@Kasu-AL]

One of my favorite shows

[@Iamthegreatestintheworld]

Roll call on who USC has lost to the portal so far: • Five-star DE Korey Foreman • Five-star QB Malachi Nelson • Five-star CB Domani Jackson • Four-star LB Tackett Curtis • Four-star RB Raleek Brown

[@frankveiga9075]

Coach Riley always said he wanted high school players first and supplement it with the transfer portal

[@SportZFan4Ever]

USC needs to put in their letter of intent that if player enters Transfer Portal, they have to pay back the tuition for the years they were on the roster plus All Travel expenses.

[@duncanidaho2097]

Whoa. My first car was a beautiful White 1962 Chevy Impala SS with 283cc with red interior and what served for bucket seats back then.

[@PhilTParker]

First off, let me take this opportunity to welcome the arrival of Chris Arledge into the MTP (Marriage Transfer Portal). I have happily entered it and not chosen to enter the STP (Single Transfer Portal). Chris, wishing you and your fiancee all of the very best, including a lifetime together celebrating USC Football as often as possible. And so, back to USC business. What a turn of events we are seeing. It’s so great on the defensive side with the coaching staff changes! Regarding Malachi, his decision is understandable. He may not think he will start this year, and I think that he is correct if he is thinking that. Malachi may be making his move now to be opportunistic, to go grab a big bag, and continue to develop. Perhaps at his next stop he will find some starts. It would have been interesting to see him continue to develop under Coach Riley…he has so many years of eligibility remaining that I wonder if the reason why he is leaving is because he isn’t confident somehow under Lincoln’s offense, or perhaps in his game at this point. Only time will tell, and I wish him the best.

[@Talkinsports91]

Is it ? Lol

[@rikkkretue4945]

Classic on the MTP and STP!😅😅😅

[@duncanidaho2097]

I felt that Curtis was going to be really good, with decent coaching and the mental capacity to learn the position. He was given every opportunity but was inexperienced, and maybe, being a small town kid, he was unhappy in big LA. He is the one I hated losing because of defensive issues. But if a guy doesn’t feel the culture of Troy, well let him go.

[@mr.millionaire4570]

Compete!! compete!! compete!!

[@barryfisher4734]

Great 1st quarter takes Mr. Katz!

[@rikkkretue4945]

Somewhat of a similar vain, my kids tennis coach said something like this, “If the kid is not ready here, what makes him or her think he or she will be ready there? Kids need to put in the work and wants to be developed.”

[@smedleybutler8787]

If these kids do make it to the draft, the NFL teams are going to have questions about transferring.. especially if you transfer more than once.

[@duncanidaho2097]

Yes there was a time when personal integrity was valued. But it is ceasing to even be a thing.🤨

[@TonyB-rv9qd]

I agree 💯👍 with Chris and Greg K. take on D. Williams. I Wish him well at Georgia..

[@johnnyretro84]

Will you guys be at the Holiday Bowl Game?

[@Talkinsports91]

The Lincoln Riley era has been interesting to say the least.

[@MrKen-mc4bu]

What was Tackett Curtis's problem? He started this past season as a Freshman. Now Georgia has an ACE recruiter in the L.A. area with Donte Williams on their staff.

[@TonyB-rv9qd]

Marc K. Is Spot-On with his take on M. Nelson jumping ship. We have a ligit QB in Miller Moss and a good QB for '25😅

[@Maljones4655]

I think our issue is we’re in the process of still turning over this roster while trying to compete with the elites in recruiting. Hopefully solid season next year and another class, we’ll be more stable and not have to rely on the TP. Riley recruits will be more develop at that point

[@TrojanCondor]

Dante Williams was a very good developer of men and I commend him for that. Great coaches are good developers of men and players. You need to have both attributes to coach at USC.

[@duncanidaho2097]

Well it didn’t reflect in the defensive play. Even I could notice that some guys were just lost on the field.

[@Moose1032]

Last season was the worst DB play I’ve ever seen at SC they couldn’t play man they gave them 10 yards cushion it was awful technique. I appreciate all he did for us but last two seasons were awful. Great recruiter but you need more than a friend.

[@TrojanCondor]

Agreed he could develop men, just not players

[@travisogden2121]

How’s the DL shaping up?

[@brianboyd7099]

Good luck to the transfers. Let’s remember to preface each defensive transfer accurately. Instead of focusing on their star ratings, state correctly “USC loses another defensive player from USC’s WORST Defense in school history to the transfer portal”😂

[@RickBartlett-r7j]

Why is Erik and Marc's background exactly the same???

[@matthewfrueh5699]

Teams have to be built inside out from the lines. Good line play can make average skill players good but good skill players can’t negate poor line play. On intermittent plays here and there skill players can get lucky and overcome poor protection but over 60 minutes and/or a full season, the regression to the mean prevails.

[@nan5715]

Don’t know why Nelson is leaving but if he wants to play he’ll have to go to a lesser school. Is that what he wants?

[@TheCloudShaman]

Like Ralek

[@skylimitkt]

I hope Lincoln Riley does not quit on us

[@jcwink777]

Has a history of quitting and losing games on purpose…..

[@skylimitkt]

I’m assuming he wants to go to a place where he can play right away. He probably end up at UCLA or Arizona State, Oregon State

[@skylimitkt]

I’m not a business man, I’m a Business. Man! That comes from Jay Z

[@johnnyretro84]

Erik gotta know that

[@Varsitiesfinest8]

You’re not wrong Chris you’re not wrong at all

[@jwht8424]

Love the Donte comments Chris. I get it. Thers a lot i would like t say but its not worth it.

[@Moose1032]

Alumni are going to have to open their pockets if we want to compete with Nike money. Bottom line SC needs money or we need to hit on guys under the radar

[@petevallejo9009]

Fight on😂

[@RJ_Focused]

USC has the money to compete for 5⭐️ talent, it needs to play the game. Lincoln isn’t ready to jump to the NFL, he still needs to prove that he’s a complete coach.

[@TrojansFirst]

I think Riley wants DJ Lagway for the longer term future. Malachi didn't pan out.

[@JP71165]

That would be a nice flip. Napier's on a shaky ground these days

[@TrojansFirst]

@@JP71165 DJ always wanted to go to USC and he was Riley's number one QB target for the 2024 class. But the big impediment to getting Lagway's commitment was the top QB in the class the year prior already on the roster. DJ thought he would be behind Malachi. Well now Malachi is gone. Now it's right there for DJ to follow his heart and be in a position to start his second year.

[@JP71165]

@@TrojansFirst well, of that's the case It could be interesting tomorrow morning

[@TrojansFirst]

@@JP71165 Scott Schrader just said it's not going to happen. The problem is Florida put a huge NIL package for Lagway and that's going to keep him at Florida. At least Riley tried hard for the last minute flip.

[@fcon2002]

I was very surprised that Georgia hired Dante Williams. I think his players got worse, not better with his coaching. Even if he recruits some Southern California players, it did not make sense to keep him.

[@johnnyretro84]

Salute to Chris for keeping it real about Tackett hitting the portal. Irritating and annoying.

[@Thedog9]

I hope Korey Forman does great at his next stop. Seems like he really loves USC and Grinch ruined him. I understand why he entered the portal

[@aroncampos5720]

Grinch ruined a lot of players lol

[@papiofisher]

Korey is a bust. Was not a starter from the beginning. Overated 5 star player from California. Need bad ass men from the east.

[@guysmithson1835]

These guys leaving is a nil money grab. Period! So much for old SC. Let them go. Also domoni could of stayed and proved everyone wrong little respect I have for that

[@SavanaT]

USC should commit to only recruiting and paying hs recruits. No transfer portal players. Build culture from the ground up. ❤

[@Footballfan49-L5]

I’m with Marc on the Lakers stupid decision to raise that meaningless banner! Kobe just flipped!

[@SportZFan4Ever]

48:08 How can Players want to be at USC when Lincoln Riley does NOT Recruit Southern California players? Half his recruiting class is from Texas. He even goes out of his way to fly to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, Georgia, etc, to recruit players. NOT 1 Top 10 California Recruit is committed to USC.

[@Talkinsports91]

Marc saying SC should settle for 3 stars is hilarious. These guys were so wrong about Riley.

[@SportZFan4Ever]

​​@@Talkinsports91These dudes are Afraid of COMPETITION in Recruiting. Total opposite of what Pete Carroll set as the standard with Always Compete.

[@fightontrojans6197]

Lincoln def recruits cali. Just the clay the clay Helton era was so bad that schools like Oregon and Alabama and Ohio state came in town and starting taking our kids and building pipelines. Sc will get back to holding cali down again. Just had to make those defense of changes and keep building relationship. Excepting most of 2025 class to be heavy with top cali guys

[@Talkinsports91]

@@fightontrojans6197 no they won't. Riley already gave up and started focusing on Texas and the east coast just look at the recruiting classes

[@simeondudley5913]

Lies they go to way better teams you think UGA Bama or Ore doesn't have good players stop it with this bad take.​@SportZFan4Ever

[@guysmithson1835]

SC is getting 60 plus mil now so spend it

[@nan5715]

Wrong, Belk is not sacrificing. I am positive he’s not taking a pay cut.

[@West_sideKnecht4]

Am i crazy? lol or did mark completely flip the script from last week?

[@earljackson7303]

That's a Jay Z line.

[@1treydiddy]

USC v UGA.? Riley v Smart.? SEC v PAC?. Those aren't the same. He just inherited the best secondary in the country.

[@chadwilcox6910]

As an alum, I will not donate any money to SC until Folt is gone! Woke = Broke

[@xkptwistblazex]

Unless they all think Lincoln is taking the Chargers job.

[@anthonyhamilton7671]

Whoooa Mark! You just did a 180. You predicted this would happen due to LR’s transfer portal QB strategy, then you throw shade at the young when he does what you predicted he would do. Not cool. If LR, as well as any other HC in college football, is doing what he thinks is best for him and his career, what’s wrong with Nelson doing the same?

[@NiechZyjePolska48]

Richard Jewell College? They’ll named a college after that fool?

[@stevedolan5065]

It’s William Jewel…

[@NiechZyjePolska48]

@@stevedolan5065 🤣 😂 🤣

[@rensseman11]

boise state

[@drrick2466]

Boy everyone looks just as happy as I am about SC sports.

[@traxiii]

Nelson's top 4 in the portal are all 2nd tier teams. Too bad!

[@Lugs-d9t]

Not a player, not a coach, not a journalist- zero qualifications. Why is Kulkin on my computer screen?

[@RidgeRider88]

Wow, the Trojans Huddle has gotten so long that it can now be classified as a Mini-series. When does Richard Chamberlain show up as a commentator? Who has two hours to watch? In fact, a lot of info is probably obsolete by the time you guys finish the show. How about let's go back to 60-80 minutes of pithy?

[@rensseman11]

😂USC Dave juju

[@TempeLane11552]

Riley was an impulsive, not well thought out hire. These guys bending over backwards to make excuses for him because of the 10 year contract is painful. A head coach is responsible for all the things that currently ail SC. Caleb Williams hid a lot of warts for two years.

[@joepickett7084]

Truth, Dontae was not a good coach, so many DBs with second and third degree burns, escorting receivers to the endzone.

[@rickc.3552]

Is he going to fire the O-line coach? We need a new coach at that position

[@blessembreaks]

What a shit show our team has become. Mass influx of portal departures just lets u know what the kids think of Riley, Lincoln is the worst thing that has happened to SC football. He’s stolen 100 million from us and the program is as if we were on sanctions again. Nobody wants to be here, we cant sniff top recruits let alone get the local ones to stay. We were blessed in LA to have one of the best coaches in sports in Pat Riley. But this Riley has got to go !

[@m.pitt765]

Your delussional; absolutely disagree; have you forgitton USC was 4- 8 coming off sanctions in 2022 under Helton.Think about things more clearly before you comment Coach Lincoln is just finishing his second year. It took Pete Carroll 3 full years to develope a wiining & Championship Culture & remember Pete Caroll USC team was 6-6 his second year. USC is rebounding & Lincoln riley @ 40yrs of age is maturing & has done a great job hiring 3 outstandibg Defensive coaches in DAnton Lynn Matt Entz & Tony Belk. Coach Link has also landed some major player from the transfer portal such as Nate Clifton, Carlon Jones Akili & Easton Arnold & got some good high school recruits in Jide Abisiri,Koalolo Ta'aga.& Julian Lewis. Plus The transfer Portal has really just begun; USC is not finished. What i suggest 4 You is to do your homework before taking an exam and commenting.Enough Said.

[@NiechZyjePolska48]

USC will start 3-3 next year

[@nan5715]

Get guys like Claiborne, some of these 5 stars come in too entitled

[@treff9226]

Do we all like what's happening in college football, with NIL, transfer portal, crazy ass league realignments....for this sixty year old geezer, its all just too much!

[@Thedog9]

He’s asking why would they leave and enter the portal when they looked like bust last season and have little NIL and start potential. It’s not hard to figure out what he’s talking about.

[@treff9226]

Yeah, I get all that, what I posted was all about the turmoil all these new changes to the world of college football are causing - players are now mercenaries and a lot of the innocence and purity that is college athletics is now gone.

[@jordanbelfort3297]

Let’s not recruit elite talent? Kulkin is truly not a smart person

[@NiechZyjePolska48]

Lincoln will coach the Chargers next season. Spliff Kingsbury will be the Trojans head coach next season

[@MrDellasc]

No, Jim Harbaugh is heading to the Chargers. This past season scared the NFL owners about Riley. We’re stuck with him for the next few years.

[@Talkinsports91]

Or the coach they got from north Dakota state.

[@SportZFan4Ever]

Matt Entz would be the best replacement for LRiley. He knows how to Win National Championships. Kingsbury hasn't won Shitt.

[@Talkinsports91]

@@SportZFan4Ever agreed

[@whousefilms]

I don't know but this is a bad look. I think don't USC can go into a transfer portal and develop a culture.

[@USCfan03]

If you don’t recruit the 4 and 5 star Guys you’re NOT going to win any national titles.

[@papiofisher]

Korey is a bust. No contributions . Not impact player. Overated 5 star. Usc need too get players from texas to Florida . Thats were the beasts are. Where's the beef???

[@brianjacob8728]

does Riley want to be at USC? He sure didn't coach and recruit like it. I think he's more interested in retirement.

[@bartwilloughby2909]

How long can Lincoln Riley play USC to believe he is a power 5 coach. All speculation at Best .

[@NiechZyjePolska48]

Lincoln is off to the Chargers and Spliff Kingsbury will lead the Trojans next season

[@Nwnatves]

you have a head coach who jumped ship and took his best player with him. Now you complain about loyalty and “dumb” kids jumping ship ??

[@brentoniverson1020]

Nah....we're in trouble. That's why Riley's reaching out to Lagaway (would luv a flip him). We've gotta QB problem.

[@DJ-qv6hk]

Agree to disagree on the first 22 mins and the commentary. You guys are banging on the kids for a shortsighted strategy, wth do you think bringing in coaches that can coah, have taken a demotion in title to come coach with you is. You will not get 4 years with these guys. If they are worth their grain in salt you will get 1 year or maybe 2. But you know this right now and your excited about bringing them in. Lol. Sheesh terrible takes on your new coaches. I would be very concerned we would right back here looking for coaches next year which hurts the team.

[@swayzieschulz350]

college football is dead ... nil and players getting paid and coaches making millions is disgusting ... i will never watch another college football game

[@michaelhapgood782]

You can change players, you can change coaches, it will not matter USC has no leader. No CEO. No Head Coach. TBOW is a joke.

[@raymondazadgoli5425]

Riley has never developed a QB, Spencer rattler? Everyone who was decent was developed elsewhere

[@invisicast]

Korey Foreman: 20 games, 24 tackles. Geezus guys on crutches can get that many tackles in 20 games. Your "stars" don't impress me; your STATS do.