Carson Tabaracci discusses progress in making switch to tight end

USC tight end Carson Tabaracci is enjoying his new position after being an inside linebacker for his first few months with the Trojans.

“I just love offense,” Tabaracci said on April 4 after a spring practice. “I feel like its maybe a little bit more natural for me. I played it a lot more.”

Tabaracci joined the USC program last year after spending the spring 2022 semester at Utah. He did not play at all with the Trojans when he arrived due to back surgery.

When he started to physically get back on the field, the coaching staff discussed a possible position switch. Tabaracci played running back in high school and was labeled as an athlete coming out of Park City (Utah) High. He also played quarterback and wide receiver at that level.

During his senior season, he snagged 23 passes for 235 receiving yards and two scores.

Tabaracci said the biggest difference for him in being a tight end so far is just where he is lining up on the field.

“I think just where I’m positioned, but a lot of it’s just the same,” Tabaracci said. “Just kind of a in different spot but using a lot of the same skills.”

Lincoln Riley discussed Carson Tabaracci’s position switch to tight end

USC head coach Lincoln Riley also discussed Carson Tabaracci moving to tight end from the defensive side of the ball.

“As this evolved and we’ve finally been able to see him do some things physically, really for the first time,” Riley said in early April. “We had a talk with him early this semester, just looking at the depth charts saying you may have a pretty good opportunity offensively. He was all for it. I think it’s deep down where he wanted to play as well. He’s coming to a good situation. He’s getting a lot of reps. He’s getting a look look. His skill set’s good for it. He’s a physical kid. He catches the ball. For missing as much as he has and first time in our offense and really first time doing this much load physically, he’s handled it well.”

Tabaracci was the No. 24 athlete in the 2022 On3 Industry Ranking. The On3 Industry is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services. The On3 Industry Ranking is the most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement in the industry.