Caleb Williams identifies Ja'Kobi Lane as player standing out to him

You only get one chance to make a good first impression, and it seems like freshman wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane has done so already in his limited time at USC.

At Trojans’ fall camp, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams was asked which new faces on the team have impressed him so far, and the first name he mentioned was the freshman pass catcher from Mesa, Arizona.

“I’d say someone that’s been progressively growing is Ja’Kobi Lane, it’s been awesome,” Williams said. “For a guy his size, he’s been moving really well.”

Lane was a four-star prospect out of Red Mountain high school, ranked the No. 53 wide receiver and the No. 338 overall prospect in the nation according to On3’s Industry Ranking. His 6-foot-4 frame and skillset could earn him some early playing time in head coach Lincoln Riley‘s offense, especially as a red zone threat, with freshman counterpart Duce Robinson listed as the only wideout taller than him in the Trojans’ loaded wide receiver room.

Williams also identified new Wyoming transfer Emmanuel Pregnon as another Trojan newcomer that’s stood out, who was ranked the No. 60 overall player available in the transfer portal this offseason according to On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings.

“The offensive line has been here except for Emman, and Emman been doing a really good job to be honest. Picking it all up, learning, and getting in there, getting after it,” Williams said.

Staying with the offensive line, Williams couldn’t help but also mention a not-so-new face that’s impressed him so far during fall camp. Offensive tackle Mason Murphy has also caught the eye of Williams as he enters his third season with the USC program.

He saw his first collegiate action last season, appearing in all 14 games and making five starts at tackle for the Trojans.

“I’d say those two and even from last year, from last year’s team which is Mason. Mason has been doing a, not Mason Cobb my left and right tackle, he’s been doing a pretty damn good job to be honest with you and it’s been fun to watch him and get out there with him,” Williams said. “So I’d say those couple people.”

Williams was sacked 30 times last season, ranked fourth worst in the Pac-12. His dynamic, scrambling play style lends itself to more sacks, but better even protection up front for Williams could make him even more effective than he was last season. Add in an impressive young target in the passing game to the mix and the Trojans’ QB1 could find himself back in New York when December rolls around.