New "Inside the Trojan' Huddle" Tuesday (Feb. 14) edition: Five offensive and defensive players that deserve spring scrutiny, the uncertain future of the Pac-12, the most intriguing enrolled spring practice freshmen and transfers, and viewers' questions and panel answers

In Tuesday’s “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle”, panelists Marc Kulkin, Erik McKinney, Chris Arledge and Greg Katz look towards spring practice and discuss five spring players on offense and defense that draws their interest; the one player that needs to step up in spring ball; the future of the Pac-12 if San Diego State and SMU do replace the Trojans and UCLA; the spring’s most intriguing early freshman and transfer enrollee; and viewer’s questions and panel answers.  

In the first half of the Huddle, the panelists discuss their top five players on offense and defense that the group finds most interesting in following their spring development. Each panelist explains his choices. After listening to the four panelists, what are your thoughts to this question? Who would be your five?

On offense, the panel has a diversity of five offensive names whose development could be crucial to the team’s success in 2023. Some panelists point to sophomore-to-be running back Raleek Brown while other point to receivers Brenden Rice, Tahj Washington,and even Mario Williams. One panelists points to a particular highly touted returning tackle who could be changing positions along the line while another says this is an important season of development for a different returning OL tackle.

You might find the answer interesting to the overall question of naming the one player on offense that needs to step up his game during spring ball.

On defense, the five names looked upon are interspersed among all three levels. Each panelist has their preference of players, and you can bet that the name Korey Foreman is a main topic as is new transfer linebacker Mason Cobb from Oklahoma State. In fact, a number of “nominees” are from the portal, which isn’t all that surprising. One panelist, however, is heavy into returning players while another is hyped by the new transfers. There is discussion regarding defensive Domani Jackson and edge defender Romello Height, who is coming back from injury. There is discussion over the future of linebacker Eric Gentry in terms of spot he plays if he has gained weight.       

The halftime conversation centers around the panel’s opinions with whom the Pac-12 will replace USC/UCLA. Is it San Diego State and SMU? Are they a recruiting threat or just a television marketing grab? What will be the perception of the Pac-12 with the potential addition of San Diego State and SMU? There is some real heat directed at the past Pac-12 leadership and the hugely difficult situation the current Pac-12 leadership is under. Of course, leave it to Arledge to make a comical comparison of the departing Trojans and Bruins and the potential replacement of the Aztecs and Mustangs.     

The second half of the Huddle asks the panel which of the early freshmen enrollees that will participate in spring most is the most intriguing and why? Is it the kid out of Louisiana or the youngster from Maryland? One panelist compares the Marylander to Rams’ superstar defensive lineman Aaron McDonald. The discussion is fascinating. To no surprise, one name mentioned was a certain freshman from Las Vegas, who one panelist is completely head over heels and perhaps with good reason.   

The panel then takes the conversation into which spring transfer is the most intriguing and why? Would you be surprised that there are mixed comments, although a certain Texas A&M transfer gets some love from the panel. One panelist isn’t quite sure what to make of this sophomore-to-be from the Lone star State. One panelist says look out for a different transfer from the Big Ten.   

The panel concludes the second half by asking which player on defense needs to up his game during spring ball? This brings a whole wide range of viewpoints, and why shouldn’t there be considering last season’s defense? This topic discussion brings out the Inside the Trojans Huddle creed: Tell it like it is. In fact, one of the defensive starters from 2022 is fairly scrutinized, giving this player props but also being objective, as well.    

In the Overtime segment, the panel answers viewers’ questions pertaining to the importance of defense in 2023; the panel’s location when Rod Sherman made the winning touchdown catch to beat Notre Dame in the Coliseum in 1964; a final analysis of the recruiting class of 2022; who and where are the contacts of TTC; and Lincoln Riley’s explanation of closing spring ball to the public, which brings a lot of passion from the panel.