Who will step up at left tackle for USC?
3 years, 9 months ago

Who will step up at left tackle for USC?

LA Times  

When Alijah Vera-Tucker slid over to left tackle last season, stepping into a spot vacated by an NFL draft first-rounder, there was little doubt that USC’s top interior lineman was its best option on the blindside. Jalen McKenzie will enter this season as one of the Trojans’ most experienced linemen and will be “in the mix” to switch to left tackle, coach Clay Helton said. Since their arrivals, Helton said he’s been “pleasantly pleased” with wideout KD Nixon, running back Keaontay Ingram and safety Xavian Alford, all of whom will probably vie for major roles in the coming months. Notes Six months since he was first suspended amid an investigation into EDD fraud on campus, sophomore wideout Munir McClain is still on USC’s roster, but remains suspended, Helton said.

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History of this topic

Patriots questions entering training camp: Who will be the starting left tackle?
7 months ago

Patriots questions entering training camp: Who will be the starting left tackle?

New York Times  

Editor’s note: This is the first in a five-part series examining the biggest questions facing the New England Patriots ahead of training camp. So everything is kind of new to me now.” Free agent addition Chuks Okorafor opened OTA’s as the top left tackle today. The Patriots didn’t think they’d simply flip two right tackles to the other side and …

Jonah Monheim is taking center stage for USC football
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Jonah Monheim is taking center stage for USC football

LA Times  

Jonah Monheim has played guard and tackle before taking over at center for USC’s offensive line. “We didn’t really know when,” said Neilon, who was a four-year starter at center, “but it was like we knew Jonah would make a kick-ass center.” Monheim’s long-anticipated move to center finally arrives as the Trojans need a stabilizing force on a shaky offensive …

NFL beat writer mock draft 2024: Trades shake up top 10 picks and QB landscape
10 months ago

NFL beat writer mock draft 2024: Trades shake up top 10 picks and QB landscape

New York Times  

The 2024 NFL Draft is just over two months away, and the jockeying for quarterbacks is just beginning. The dynamic Daniels is worth the price because of what The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in his most recent Big Board: “Daniels forces opponents to defend him like Lamar Jackson.” — Josh Kendall % of 3rd down pass attempts that resulted in …

Ranking USC football’s 11 transfer portal additions, evaluating where help is still needed
10 months, 1 week ago

Ranking USC football’s 11 transfer portal additions, evaluating where help is still needed

New York Times  

LOS ANGELES — USC’s roster is basically set for the spring. Cornerback John Humphrey Domani Jackson and Christian Roland-Wallace were USC’s starting cornerbacks for most of last season, but Jackson transferred to Alabama and Roland-Wallace has exhausted his eligibility, so the Trojans have an opening at both corner spots. Defensive lineman Nate Clifton It’s no secret that USC needs defensive …

USC’s offensive line still ‘a work in progress’ as Trojans’ schedule stiffens
1 year, 2 months ago

USC’s offensive line still ‘a work in progress’ as Trojans’ schedule stiffens

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams scrambles out of the pocket as Arizona defensive lineman Isaiah Ward rushes during a game at the Coliseum on Oct. 7. USC offensive line coach Josh Henson, said this week the line was “a work in progress.” Justin Dedich, USC’s fifth-year center and captain, agreed that the revamped group hasn’t meshed “at the same pace it …

Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon
1 year, 2 months ago

Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon

Associated Press  

New York Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker has a torn Achilles tendon that will sideline him for the rest of the season. Second-year O-lineman Max Mitchell replaced Vera-Tucker against the Broncos, but Saleh wouldn’t reveal the Jets’ plan at right tackle moving forward. “He battled his way back this offseason from the injury a year ago and to have this …

Raleek Brown still could be ‘a big part’ of USC football while exploring redshirt
1 year, 3 months ago

Raleek Brown still could be ‘a big part’ of USC football while exploring redshirt

LA Times  

Raleek Brown flashed the Heisman pose during his first college game. After limited playing time in the opener while switching from running back to receiver, Brown is “looking at the possibility of redshirting,” coach Lincoln Riley said Tuesday after practice. Freshman Makai Lemon bumped Brown off the depth chart as the final slot receiver entering last week’s game and caught …

USC’s offensive line shuffle begins with Jonah Monheim moving to left tackle
1 year, 4 months ago

USC’s offensive line shuffle begins with Jonah Monheim moving to left tackle

LA Times  

Southern California offensive lineman Jonah Monheim in the first half of an NCAA college football game Oct. 2, 2021, in Boulder, Colo. A position adjustment was always in the plans for offensive lineman Jonah Monheim. Monheim was USC’s starting left tackle as the Trojans opened camp Friday, a change offensive line coach Josh Henson said was because of “just how …

Patrick Graham leaning on patience to get more out of Raiders’ defense in Year 2
1 year, 4 months ago

Patrick Graham leaning on patience to get more out of Raiders’ defense in Year 2

New York Times  

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Raiders’ defense was miserable in all facets last season. “It’s real football now in terms of just getting ready for the season.” The projected starting defensive line is the same as it was last year: edge rusher Maxx Crosby, defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and veteran edge Chandler Jones. You’ve got to stay …

Next man up: Injuries lead to more change on Bengals O-line
1 year, 11 months ago

Next man up: Injuries lead to more change on Bengals O-line

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Right tackle La’el Collins has been out since he tore the ACL in his left knee in a game on Christmas Eve. “This whole year I’ve been working hard on all four positions, and when my number is called, I’m ready to go out there and …

College football freshman All-America team at midseason: Drake Maye, Quinshon Judkins top list
2 years, 2 months ago

College football freshman All-America team at midseason: Drake Maye, Quinshon Judkins top list

New York Times  

As we arrive at the halfway point of this season, it’s time once again to shine a spotlight on some of college football’s most exciting young talent. This is The Athletic’s midseason freshman All-America team, an early look at which true freshmen and redshirt freshmen are making a big impact on the 2022 season. Judkins, a three-star steal out of …

More left-tackle-by-committee for USC this week against Stanford? It could happen
2 years, 3 months ago

More left-tackle-by-committee for USC this week against Stanford? It could happen

LA Times  

USC coach Lincoln Riley huddles with his players during a game against Rice on Saturday at the Coliseum. Asked whether he might employ the same strategy this Saturday in USC’s Pac-12 opener at Stanford, Riley said, “there’s always a chance.” One thing seems clear: USC’s open battle at left tackle will continue for at least one more week. His ankle …

Offensive line key for No. 14 USC’s new additions to succeed
2 years, 3 months ago

Offensive line key for No. 14 USC’s new additions to succeed

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! But the impressive collection of talent at the skill positions won’t matter if the 14th-ranked Trojans don’t have an offensive line capable of creating running lanes or giving Williams time to throw down the field. It’s the dudes up front.” Although USC made strides last year, …

Who has the right stuff to start at left tackle at USC? The competition is fierce
2 years, 3 months ago

Who has the right stuff to start at left tackle at USC? The competition is fierce

LA Times  

Courtland Ford, above, and Bobby Haskins are battling to start at left tackle for USC. USC offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Josh Henson wouldn’t commit to naming a left tackle Tuesday, and while Wednesday’s depth chart reveal might list one name above the other, Henson made it clear that Bobby Haskins and Courtland Ford would be competing through the …

Sean Rhyan becomes second UCLA offensive tackle to say he’s leaving for the NFL
2 years, 11 months ago

Sean Rhyan becomes second UCLA offensive tackle to say he’s leaving for the NFL

LA Times  

UCLA offensive lineman Sean Rhyan sits on the bench during the second half against USC on Nov. 20, 2021 at the Coliseum. Junior left tackle Sean Rhyan announced Monday on Instagram that he was declaring for the NFL draft, joining right tackle Alec Anderson in departing for pro football with remaining eligibility. Candidates to replace the departed tackles include redshirt …

Lincoln Riley effect: Five players and one coach announce they’re leaving USC
3 years ago

Lincoln Riley effect: Five players and one coach announce they’re leaving USC

LA Times  

USC defensive tackle Jacob Lichtenstein wraps up Oregon State running back B.J. Edge rushers Hunter Echols and Juliano Falaniko, defensive tackle Jake Lichtenstein and kicker Alex Stadthaus all entered the NCAA transfer portal on Monday, while offensive tackle Jalen McKenzie announced he would forgo an extra season of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. Defensive line coach Vic So’oto also …

Seen and heard at USC’s final preseason scrimmage: Tahj Washington’s value, redshirt freshman tackles and more
3 years, 4 months ago

Seen and heard at USC’s final preseason scrimmage: Tahj Washington’s value, redshirt freshman tackles and more

New York Times  

LOS ANGELES — USC quarterback Jaxson Dart lofted a ball downfield in the direction of wideout Kyle Ford. You’ve probably seen that for yourselves.” USC gave Jonah Monheim some reps at left tackle last week, and Andrew Vorhees got some work there, too. Slovis got more reps in Saturday’s scrimmage after playing only a few series in the Trojans’ first …

Courtland Ford, Jonah Monheim provide glimpse of USC offensive line starting lineup
3 years, 4 months ago

Courtland Ford, Jonah Monheim provide glimpse of USC offensive line starting lineup

LA Times  

The two redshirt freshmen had already established themselves as the leading contenders in USC’s left tackle competition, taking turns to see who might fill the glaring hole on the Trojans’ offensive line. But on Monday, for the first time in fall camp, both Courtland Ford and Jonah Monheim took their places on USC’s first-team offense. Helton said last week that …

Titans draft Dillon Radunz for right tackle, add 2 more on D
3 years, 7 months ago

Titans draft Dillon Radunz for right tackle, add 2 more on D

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans hope to make up for their first-round mistake a year ago with the selection of offensive tackle Dillon Radunz of North Dakota State, taking him with the 53rd overall pick Friday night in the NFL draft. “I think that’s a position that resources are allocated toward, and we’re going to keep looking and keep …

Five questions USC football faces as it begins spring practice
3 years, 8 months ago

Five questions USC football faces as it begins spring practice

LA Times  

USC coach Clay Helton heads into spring practice looking for improvement after last season ended with the Trojans losing to Oregon in the Pac-12 title game in a pandemic-shortened season. We’ll never know where the Trojans might’ve stood last season with a full spring to develop but, a year later, many of the same questions remain — from the quarterback’s …

USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for the NFL draft
3 years, 11 months ago

USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for the NFL draft

LA Times  

USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker first declared for the draft in September before opting to return. Alijah Vera-Tucker first declared for the NFL draft in September, but when the Pac-12 solidified plans a month later to play its shortened season, the anchor of USC’s offensive line opted to return. His initial return to USC ahead of this season helped lift …

Center Justin Dedich provides a solid contingency plan for USC
4 years, 1 month ago

Center Justin Dedich provides a solid contingency plan for USC

LA Times  

USC receiver Drake London, left, celebrates with Bru McCoy, Tyler Vaughns and Justin Dedich after a touchdown catch against Arizona State. Clay Helton said Neilon will test out his injured ankle on Thursday, but the USC coach admitted that USC’s junior center is “highly doubtful.” Considering the relative lack of depth on the line, the looming threat of injuries up …

Clay Helton won’t say it, but USC’s starters on offensive line appear to be set
4 years, 2 months ago

Clay Helton won’t say it, but USC’s starters on offensive line appear to be set

LA Times  

USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker, shown in a game against UCLA in 2018, will be one of the starting offensive tackles this season. USC coach Clay Helton won’t name an official starting offensive line until just before the Trojans’ opener against Arizona State on Nov. 7. “You can see that athleticism of a former tight end/defensive lineman that’s now 315 pounds and …

USC O-lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker opts back in for season
4 years, 2 months ago

USC O-lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker opts back in for season

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Southern California offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker has opted back into the upcoming season, giving an enormous boost to the Trojans’ offense. He is expected to move to left tackle this season as the replacement for first-round pick Austin Jackson, now the Miami Dolphins’ rookie starting left tackle. “I’m eager to lead my teammates down the tunnel of …

USC’s goal for a shortened football season? Climbing to top of the Pac-12
4 years, 3 months ago

USC’s goal for a shortened football season? Climbing to top of the Pac-12

LA Times  

USC coach Clay Helton His seat was scorching hot when Helton was last seen coaching from the sideline at the Holiday Bowl. Since that 49-24 loss to finish an 8-5 season, USC hired two new coordinators, revamped the entire defensive staff, retooled its recruiting operation, and generally seemed to get its ducks in a row. USC defensive coordinator Todd Orlando …

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