Jordan Addison is Finding his Fit in Lincoln Riley's USC Offense

Jordan Addison is one of the most versatile wide receivers in college football. He operated mostly out of the slot while winning the Biletnikoff Award as a member of the Pitt Panthers last season. But he can split out wide, go in motion or come out of the backfield. The ability to find success in multiple ways is a significant benefit for Lincoln Riley, who is universally regarded as one of the best offensive minds in college football and is consistent in finding different ways to get his playmakers the ball.

Getting Addison involved won’t be as simple as drawing up plays in the backyard. And it’s still fairly early in the process. Riley said after Tuesday’s practice that the coaches had still only had 10 practices with Addison in a cardinal and gold uniform.

“We’re still figuring him out, his intricacies and how he fits,” Riley said of Addison. “But he’s an impressive kid. He’s a very consistent worker and certainly is a playmaker.”

The USC depth chart at the wide receiver position this season is spectacular. The Trojans would likely do just fine by shaking up the names and picking three at random. But Addision simply isn’t any other receiver.

“I just bring a different piece to the puzzle,” he said of his abilities.

Addison said winning the Biletnikoff Award in 2021 was a goal of his coming into that season. He managed that feat with 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and 18 total touchdowns. Winning it again is on his mind going into this 2022 season. But it’s firmly behind his immediate goal of seamlessly transitioning into the offense and the locker room.

“I want to win that again, but right now I’m putting the team first,” Addison said. “I’m at a new school right now, so I’m trying to make sure…we get in together, we’re all close. Right now I’m putting the team first and making sure they all know that.”

Riley said Addison has been team-first since his arrival.

“Just the unselfishness,” Riley said of what stands out about Addison. “Other guys have made plays or this or that. He’s just as excited, probably actually one of those guys that’s more excited than even when he makes a play…His overall attitude and approach to football, and then specifically, being a member of his football team have been very mature and very impressive.”

Fitting Addison Into the Offense or Fitting the Offense Around Addison

Riley has a talent for adjusting his offense to the strengths of his playmakers.

In 2017, tight end Mark Andrews led Oklahoma with 62 receptions. In 2018, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Marquise Brown both caught at least 65 passes. And in 2019, quarterback Jalen Hurts recorded 233 rushing attempts. Last season, five players caught between 32 and 39 passes, while running back Kennedy Brooks logged 198 rushing attempts.

Riley is looking forward to finding ways of involving Addison.

“Your best players, you’re always going to tailor it to those guys,” Riley said. “There’s no question. He absolutely impacts how we play offensively. Absolutely zero doubt about that.”

Defenses know they’ll need to key on Addison this season. But finding him on the field and then doing something to take him away (while also limiting the other playmakers) will be an extreme challenge.

“We’ve always had the ability to get our best guys around,” Riley said. “I’m sure we’ll move him around a little bit. The good thing for him is even though he hasn’t been in our offense, he’s played a lot of ball. He’s smart. He picks it up very quickly. He’s a football guy. So when we do need to move him around, I don’t think it will be a problem.”

How Can Addison Improve on 2021?

Addison has a lot on his plate coming into the 2022 season. He needs to find a comfort level after moving across the country to join a new program and an entirely new offense. And he needs to find a way to deal with all the pressure the expectations that come with his 2021 performance and being a part of this USC team that will be under the microscope all season long.

But Addison has a very nonchalant way of shaking all that off.

“You put the work in on the field,” he said. “All that’s just outside noise, outside talk. If you’re giving it all on this gridiron, you’re going to be straight.”

Addison put in extra work this summer making sure he was learning all the routes, what his responsibilities were on the backside of the play, and all of USC’s different hand signals.

“I feel like I picked it up pretty quickly, but I still have a lot to learn,” Addison said.

He also got to spend plenty of time catching passes from quarterback Caleb Williams. They are one of two quarterback/receiver combinations in the country that have the most attention coming into this season. Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are the other.

So far, Addison likes the connection he’s built with Williams.

“It’s been pretty good,” he said. “He’s a really great competitor. He loves to win…And him teaching me what I have to do throughout certain routes, I think our connection, our communication is getting better.”

Addison said he has no trouble focusing on what he needs to do this season, even after celebrating so much success last year.

“I’m not where I want to be yet,” he said. “My family is still not where they want to be at. That’s all I need. That’s what keeps that fire in me.”

USC fans haven’t seen the No. 3 jersey on the field since Carson Palmer wore it during his Heisman-winning season in 2002. They could be seeing it quite a bit this fall. It’s clear Addison has intentions of putting together a monster season. He was asked after Tuesday’s practice how he plans to improve upon last season.

“Making sure I make every play I’m supposed to,” Addison said. “And every play I’m not supposed to make, I’m going to make that, too.”