Lincoln Riley labels Kyron Hudson USC's team MVP from camp

USC head coach Lincoln Riley dropped the team’s first depth chart of the season Wednesday night and Kyron Hudson was listed in bold print.

The redshirt sophomore wideout was listed as a potential starting wide receiver alongside Brenden Rice. One of the two will likely start alongside Mario Williams and Dorian Singer in the Trojans offense.

Riley had high praise for Hudson when talking to the media about the 6-foot-1 pass catcher.

“He might have been the team MVP in fall camp,” Riley said. “He had as good a fall camp as any player on our roster at any position. He’s (a) consistent guy that has gotten a lot more explosive. He’s in great shape. He’s healthy. He’s playing at a high level right now.”

Last season, Hudson had 15 catches for 152 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He figures to see his production increase this year after moving up the depth chart.

“He’s one of our most consistent players, most consistent workers,” Riley said. “He never complains. He’s always out just to work and get better. He has a real professional mindset. I love the kid, love coaching him. He’s a joy to coach.”

Hudson and Rice weren’t the only players to be labeled with an OR at their starting spot. At left guard, a starter had not yet been named as Emmanuel Pregnon and Alani Noa were both labeled as starters with an OR separating the two.

Noa is just a freshman, making his jump up the depth chart surprising. It is not easy for first-year offensive lineman to earn a starting role.

But Riley called Noa one of the team’s best offensive linemen.

“He’s still learning certainly, but he’s playing with some guys in there who have played a lot of ball, and that’s certainly helpful,” Riley said. “He’s been very good mentally. [I’m] just impressed with his consistency, his physicality, effort and mentality that he plays with. For any offensive lineman, that’s where it starts. You have to have that, and he does that consistently like a veteran.”

Another OR on offense was at running back where Austin Jones and Marshawn Lloyd will likely start in the backfield come Saturday.