Lincoln Riley gives feelings on rush linebackers ahead of 2022

Lincoln Riley is an offense-minded head coach coming to USC, but knows that good rush linebackers and a stout defensive front can aid both sides of the ball when used well. As he rebuilds the Trojans roster in Year One, that room stands out as one with untapped potential waiting to be released.

During a media session this spring, Lincoln Riley evaluated the progress made by the rush linebackers on the roster since his staff arrived with a new system and new voices.

“It’s an exciting group,” said Riley. “Eli’jah Winston has been healthy the whole way and has made some really nice strides. It’s been really steady. Both Romello (Height) and Korey (Foreman) provide a level of explosion there that’s pretty obvious. Romello’s had a really nice spring, really complete spring. Very difficult to block in one-on-one situations and has really learned the defense quickly, proud of his progression. And then I think Korey’s done a really nice job. He missed close to the first half of spring, or wasn’t full-go, but he’s been full-go as of late doing everything. He’s been disruptive, had a couple nice sacks in the team period here today so I think he’s progressing nicely.

“It’s a nice room right now. Those guys are doing a great job, coach (Roy) Manning has done a really nice job with those guys.”

Lincoln Riley on USC roster

Lincoln Riley also talked previously about the roster as a whole, expressing satisfaction with the way his rebuild has gone to this point in the process. However, there are still questions which needs answers.

“I’ve told the team this. I don’t know if there’s like one position where we’re so anemic that we can’t compete right now,” said Riley. “I just think it’s just we need a little bit everywhere if that makes sense. I think of the bodies that we’re gonna take. It’s gonna be pretty spread out within the team. You’re talking a guy here, guy there to add.”

“We want to build a roster that’s gonna last. Not build a roster that is gonna be great for one game here, one game there… Every guy matters; every roster spot matters; every single player matters… The point that really has to be understood the guys that we have right now have set the foundation. The guys that we have right now, we are really balanced. Now, we want to add a few guys to them, but they built up to this point.”