Lincoln Riley has high hopes for USC offensive line, running game

It took a little while for head coach Lincoln Riley to start tossing out praise this spring. But by the end of USC’s 15 practices, including its spring game this past Saturday, the USC head coach is clearly optimistic about the Trojans’ offensive line and potential in the run game heading into the offseason.

The running game wasn’t dominant on Saturday. But the three running backs and offensive line units showed enough to believe that USC will attempt to run the ball much more this season compared to the last four. And it will also do it far more successfully.

“I think we’re going to be capable of running the ball very well,” Riley said after the spring game.

And Riley knows a thing or two about running the ball. Oklahoma quarterbacks soaked up the spotlight under Riley while he was the head coach there. But much of the Sooners’ offensive success came because of a strong running game. Over the past four seasons, USC did not produce a single 1,000-yard rusher. Oklahoma had five.

USC offensive linemen universally praised the new scheme and how they’ve worked with new position coach Josh Henson this spring. Riley walks into a situation where USC brings back veteran starters all along the offensive line. Technically the Trojans need to replace Liam Jimmons and Jalen McKenzie on the right side of the line. But Justin Dedich and Jonah Monheim return having started several games last season.

“We have one thing in that room you cannot put a price tag on, and that’s experience,” Riley said this spring. “At that position, with a new offense and an offense that’s very demanding for an offensive line to learn and to master and do very well, that experience is crucial.”

That experience allowed the Trojans to take a huge lead this spring in implementing the offense. And that head start has Riley seeing the potential for big things this fall.

“I see not one reason on this planet why we cannot have a great offensive line here very, very quickly,” Riley said.

Henson wasn’t going to let his line march off into summer without a reminder that there is still plenty of distance to cover for them to be game-ready for a season. But it was a job-well-done for the 15 spring practices.

“Overall, pleased with where we’re at,” Henson said during the final week of spring ball. “I feel like we’re within striking distance, for sure.”

This is a USC rushing offense that totaled 145.9 yards per game on the ground last season. That stopped a four-year slide that saw the Trojans go from 200.7 rushing yards per game in 2016, to 185.1 in 2017, to 133.5 in 2018, to 118.2 in 2019, to 97.3 in 2020.

A View From The USC Offensive Line

Andrew Vorhees returns as USC’s most productive lineman last season. He’s one of the veteran leaders up front and on that side of the ball. And he’s a guy who really likes what he’s seen this spring.

“I think the o-line is taking the next step in the right direction that we need to, physically, as well as just buying into the culture and the schematics of this new system,” Vorhees said after Saturday’s spring game.

USC’s offensive line improved tremendously last season compared to the previous three. But there’s another level this line can reach in 2022, thanks to a run-first offense and belief in a power running game. There were some results on Saturday, as the Trojans converted a red zone opportunity into a rushing touchdown. USC also managed some short-yardage conversions.

Vorhees said the new mindset will be partly responsible for improved success, especially in the red zone.

“Just our commitment to being more physical up front, trusting technique,” Vorhees said. “There’s a lot more stuff that we can do to become better in the red zone, be more efficient. I’m looking forward to that this offseason.”

Backups Are Coming Along

The five linemen who finished spring as starters need to be pushed for playing time this fall. Many will hold onto those spots with the first team. But getting pushed by backups ready to contribute is a constant at all positions across the board at elite programs.

The good news for USC is that some young linemen took significant steps forward this spring. The Trojans should also welcome offensive tackle Bobby Haskins into the fold for real. Haskins came into the program this offseason as a transfer from Virginia. But he was held out all offseason while recovering from surgery on a lower leg/foot injury.

Haskins will likely get a shot to compete against Courtland Ford at left tackle or Monheim at right tackle.

Having a sixth lineman in Haskins, plus seven and eight in tackle Mason Murphy and guard Maximus Gibbs gives the Trojans more depth than they’ve had in years up front. Backup center Andrew Milek, whom Riley referred to this spring and possibly the biggest riser from the first practice to last, makes USC nearly set with a two-deep of players who can go if called upon. Another transfer portal addition this offseason wouldn’t be a surprise to continue adding depth. But Henson likes how far those reserves came this spring.

“There are some guys who are taking some steps forward,” Henson said earlier this spring. “We’re not where we need to be yet. But there are some guys taking some serious steps forward. So overall, I’m pleased with that group. They are improving. There are still some ways for them to go to catch up to the first group to where they’re game-ready to go in and win games. But I think they put themselves in position to take that step when we get to the fall.”