Lincoln Riley breaks down health, competition of USC linebackers

USC coach Lincoln Riley has a deep group of linebackers heading into 2023. With the season set to kick off in less than two weeks now, he provided an update on where that position stands as well as a couple of injuries to key players.

Riley mentioned that Shane Lee, a captain who tied for the team-high with 79 tackles in 2022, has been limited so far. However, he added that the injury is not one of serious nature and that it doesn’t sound likely to keep him out long.

“Shane got nicked up a little early in camp and has been limited here through the first part of camp,” Riley said. “I think we all expect him back and expect that he’s gonna factor in. Hard to imagine that he wouldn’t.”

Lee isn’t the only linebacker dealing with an injury. Eric Gentry, who started nine games this past season, has also carried a limited tag. But like Lee, it shouldn’t cause him to miss any serious time.

“Eric’s been able to get a lot of good work,” Riley said. “Hasn’t missed quite as much as Shane, but obviously with missing spring we’ve got to get him back full-go and he’s close. Nobody’s got anything of a serious nature. It’s just a few nagging things that we need to get past.”

With both Lee and Gentry not able to do as much, it’s provided the other USC linebackers an opportunity to get more reps. That has certainly been valuable for newcomers such as transfer Mason Cobb and freshman Tackett Curtis, as well as returners such as Raesjon Davis.

Cobb, the No. 8 linebacker according to On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings, is expected to make an impact right away. Riley spoke on what he’s seen out of him and others as well as how this year’s linebacker group is a lot deeper than it was in 2022.

“It’s been great for Mason and Tackett,” he said. “It’s been great for Raesjon. He’s back full-go now. It’s been great for Chris Thompson and it’s been great for Garrison Madden. Those guys have gotten a lot of reps. But it is a deeper room. If we’d been limited last year, I don’t think the answer would’ve been as strong. I’m sure that’s a room that’s gonna continue to evolve as the year goes on.”

USC has a lot of work to do to improve its defense if it hopes to compete for a national championship, but the depth it has at linebacker gives it a good chance to do so. The Trojans will kick off the 2023 season on Aug. 26 against San Jose State.