Lincoln Riley breaks down value of cross-training players during offseason

USC is eying big things in Year 2 under Lincoln Riley after getting to the cusp of the College Football Playoff in Year 1. And much of what shakes out in the fall is shaped in ways obvious and subtle during spring ball.

One thing Riley plans to do again after finding success with it a year ago is cross-training players at multiple positions. A cornerback can get valuable work at safety, offensive linemen can rep at different spots, and some players might even find themselves playing on a different side of the ball altogether.

“And it’s good to challenge them, to move them out of their comfort zones,” Riley said. “It adds some prep for all the what ifs that are going to happen in the season when unexpectedly you lose two or three guys at this position and this guys gotta move and that guy’s gotta move. So that’s been good. And it allows us to continue to take a look at them at different spots. And then obviously some of the new guys at different spots, as well. So, we’re going to try not to cross train too many of the new guys, especially the new freshmen, early. That’s the group that we try to protect, give them a chance to get settled in at a position so that we can really see what they can do. And then take it from there.”

One thing that often forces a coaches hand for cross-training is depth. If a team is light on defensive backs, some walk-on receivers might be tasked with serving as functional bodies opposite if only for practice reps.

Riley sees two position groups where cross-training might come as a necessity: Offensive line and wide receiver.

“We’re a little low at offensive line right now. Waiting for those four other freshmen that’ll obviously be here in June. And another transfer, too, potentially, there. So we’re a little bit low there. We’re a little low at wideout right now. And again, we’ll have some help here pretty quick, there. Couple of places there, I know from a depth standpoint it’ll force our hand a little bit. But obviously we probably would’ve done it anyways,” Riley said.