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Lincoln Riley reveals what he's learned about Jordan Addison through two weeks

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber09/15/22
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(Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

USC wideout Jordan Addison was the crown jewel of wide receiver transfers this offseason. At least according to On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings, where Addison ranked as the top receiver and the No. 2 overall player, only behind fellow Trojan Caleb Williams.

His transition to Lincoln Riley’s system at Southern Cal is already producing profound results. Through two games, Williams has connected with Addison 12 times for 226 yards and four touchdowns. That’s good for roughly 18.8 yards per grab. Insane production and efficiency through two for this dynamic pair.

Obviously, a lot of folks predicted the USC offense would be electric with Riley, Williams and Addison. But remember, all three are brand new to USC, and Addison is foreign to those Oklahoma boys as well. So meshing within the system was a challenge. But Lincoln Riley recently explained how they overcame initial barriers after the transfer.

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“Yeah, I think, like all our players, we’re just getting a feel for his skillset, the way he likes to run routes, what he’s good at. Certainly try to play to his strengths, and he has a lot of strengths. So it’s not like it’s crazy difficult. But there is – to be in rhythm, you got to have a real unique understanding of a guy, and the quarterback, everybody else has to too.”

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Riley went on, explaining how hard the process of getting Addison up to speed on their playbook has been. Ultimately, though, the USC coach gave him major props for his performance thus far.

“So I think we’ve been able to learn…just how he sets up routes, where he’s best, just how we communicate with him, in terms of — you got a guy that’s been in a different offense. The big thing is the terminology, where it was different at the previous place. A lot of ways, when you make a transfer, you go to a new place, you’re not only learning play calls. Like, you’re learning an entire verbiage. And with a guy like him that wasn’t here for spring ball, you gotta make that happen sooner rather than later. So I think we’re on the same page as Jordan, and he’s played well for us.”