Latest news with #LincolnRiley
Yahoo
a day ago
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USC earns commitment from coveted blue chip DE Luke Wafle
One of the top defensive end prospects in the country is off of the board, as class of 2026 four-star defender Luke Wafle announced his commitment to USC on Thursday. Wafle ranks as the No. 85 overall recruit in the Rivals250. He also ranks as the No. 1 prospect in the state of New Jersey and the No. 6 defensive end in the 2026 cycle. Advertisement In May, The Hun School of Princeton star released a top-five of USC, Ohio State, Florida, Penn State and Texas. He took official visits to four of those schools, but is no longer expected to take a previously planned trip to see the Longhorns that was previously scheduled for this weekend (June 20 through June 22). This recruitment was highly-competitive and came down to the wire, with the Trojans ultimately winning out. He took his official visit to Los Angeles this past weekend, June 13 through June 15. He also took an official visit to USC in April. At USC, Wafle will play under head coach Lincoln Riley, defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, co-defensive coordinator/run game coordinator/defensive line coach Eric Henderson, defensive ends coach Shaun Nua and the rest of the staff. Nearly every Power Four program was in pursuit of Wafle during his recruitment. Advertisement In addition to the schools already mentioned, Waffle had scholarship offers from Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami (FL.), Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Stanford, Syracuse, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin and several others. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Wafle recorded 53 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a junior in 2024. He helped lead the Raiders to a 9-1 finish on the campaign. Todd Smith, head football coach at The Hun School of Princeton, broke down Wafle's game and explained why he is one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in the country. "Luke Wafle is the total package — a dominant defensive lineman with elite physical traits, a relentless work ethic and the kind of quiet leadership that lifts an entire program," Smith said. "He has a college-ready frame right now — long, strong and explosive off the ball. His first step is violent, his hands are heavy, and he plays with advanced technique for a high school player. Luke controls the line of scrimmage, sheds blocks with ease, and brings the kind of power that wears opponents down over four quarters. He's not just big — he moves with fluidity and purpose, making him a nightmare matchup across the front." Advertisement Additionally, Smith highlighted Wafle's leadership and character traits. "Off the field, he's humble, respectful and deeply respected by teammates and coaches," Smith explained about Wafle. "Luke has already left a lasting mark on our program at The Hun School, and the best part is — we still get one more season with him. He's committed to USC and will be entering the Big Ten next year, and there's no doubt he'll be ready to contribute right away. Luke is a culture-changer — he makes your locker room better, your standards higher and your team tougher." Wafle's older brother, Owen Wafle, is a defensive tackle for Penn State. USC's No. 1-ranked 2026 class now includes 30 total commitments. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH USC FANS AT
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
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Lincoln Riley Catching Heat After Marcus Freeman's USC-Notre Dame Comments
Lincoln Riley Catching Heat After Marcus Freeman's USC-Notre Dame Comments originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With the landscape of college football frequently changing, certain aspects of the sport have also begun to look different over the past few years. Advertisement Whether it's the expansion of the College Football Playoff, the wild west that is NIL and the transfer portal or conference realignment, the sport looks infinitely different than it did five years ago. One of the casualties of realignment has been historic rivalries, as programs such as Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are no longer playing, and they aren't the only one who have faced that fate or eventually will. As fans look ahead to the next few years, one historic college football rivalry that seems to be on pace to cease to exist is USC and Notre Dame. The two programs have played every year since World War II outside of the COVID season, yet the partnership is only scheduled through 2026. In a recent interview with Joel Klatt, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman made it clear he doesn't want the game to come to an end, but expressed "it takes both parties to tango." Many fans took this as a nod at USC coach Lincoln Riley who hasn't been vocal about continuing the rivalry at all, with many imploring Riley to help save the rivalry. Advertisement "Freeman understands rivalry games and why they're important. That coward in LA doesn't get it, and would rather have a soft schedule," wrote one user. "Marcus Freeman keeps showing Lincoln Riley how easy it is to talk about the USC-Notre Dame rivalry," chimed in another. "One coach is vocally and emphatically committed to playing the rivalry. One coach skates around the question constantly. The easiest case of good guy/bad guy I've ever seen," added a third. USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman.© Matt Cashore-Imagn Images Earlier this month Riley was asked about addressing the future of the game by On3's Pete Nakos, and seemingly dodged the question with a vague open-ended statement. Advertisement "We will at the appropriate time," said Riley. There is still some time before this rivalry ultimately ends, but clearly Notre Dame is making it known they aren't the ones holding up the process. Related: Former USC Commit Raves About Meeting With Ex-Trojans Head Coach This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
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‘Haven't Been Relevant Since Matt Leinart': Former Oregon Star Rips USC
'Haven't Been Relevant Since Matt Leinart': Former Oregon Star Rips USC originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's safe to say Kenjon Barner doesn't view Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans very fondly. The former Oregon Ducks running back, who spent eight seasons in the NFL as a journeyman, sounded off on his former Pac-12 rival recently. Advertisement 'This fan base is starting to remind me of the Dallas Cowboys fan base, right? Just annoying,' Barner said Saturday on "Ducks of a Feather." 'All you're doing is running your mouth. Your bark is louder than your bite. … Listen, you've got the No. 1 recruiting class coming in. That's cool. You've still got to be able to win football games, which you guys have not been able to do for a very long time.' At the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2012, Barner had the best performance of his college career. In a 62-51 win over USC, he rushed for 321 yards and five touchdowns on 38 gives. Lane Kiffin and the Trojans entered that same campaign ranked No. 1 in the nation, but finished the go-round with a 7-6 mark. The season before, Barner punched it in twice against USC in a 123-yard losing effort at home. USC coach Lincoln Riley© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images 'You guys have been front-runners,' Barner said. 'You guys have been the school that comes in talking. You know, you've got the look. You're out in front. But when you get on that field? Trash. Tragedy. Tragedy strikes USC. … Listen, there's nothing been nice about y'all. Advertisement 'You guys haven't been relevant since Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, LenDale White.' The Trojans went 34-5 in the three seasons after Leinart and Bush headed to the NFL, winning the Rose Bowl to cap each year. Head coach Pete Carroll left after one more season, and since then, USC has had just five double-digit-win efforts, including only one since 2018. Related: Urban Meyer Sends Blunt Message to Lincoln Riley This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
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Kobe Bryant's 5-Star Nephew Makes Major Career Decision
Kobe Bryant's 5-Star Nephew Makes Major Career Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jett Washington, Kobe Bryant's nephew and a five-star Class of 2026 safety, has narrowed his choices down to three programs. The USC Trojans are included in that trio. Advertisement 'NEWS: Five-Star Safety Jett Washington is down to Alabama, Oregon, & USC, he tells me for @on3recruits,' On3's Hayes Fawcett wrote Tuesday on X. 'The 6'4 205 S from Las Vegas, NV is ranked as a Top 30 Recruit in the '26 Class (per On3 Industry).' Washington was named MaxPreps' Nevada Player of the Year last season. He totaled 38 tackles, five interceptions, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble for Bishop Gorman, a perennial prep football power in Sin City. He's Nevada's top-ranked recruit in his class, an accolade that makes sense after hearing about his elite abilities. Lincoln Riley has surely taken notice. Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images 'A physical specimen with rare size and rare range that could be positioned over the top, in the box or in the slot,' 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins said in a scouting report last month. 'Should be viewed as a potential defensive chameleon that can prevent touchdowns in a single or two-high look while also matching-up with large slot and in-line weapons when needed. Advertisement 'Looks like the next can't-miss talent to come out of Bishop Gorman with his game tape and athletic markers. Sunday upside in an era where position lines continue to blur on defense.' 247Sports' composite rankings list Washington as the No. 4 safety in his class, behind Bralan Womack, Jireh Edwards, and Blaine Bradford. Bradford is an Ohio State pledge. Related: 'Haven't Been Relevant Since Matt Leinart': Former Oregon Star Rips USC This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
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2027 Oregon commit takes dig at USC with ‘cannonball' reference
The post 2027 Oregon commit takes dig at USC with 'cannonball' reference appeared first on ClutchPoints. Oregon football delivered a new splash Sunday. One 2027 recruit dropped a 'cannonball' counter at USC. Advertisement The Trojans took a dig at their Big Ten rival with a clip from 'Anchorman' in helping announce the Mark Bowman commitment. But Oregon's newest verbal commit countered and took his swipe at USC. Edge rusher Prince Tavizon revealed his commitment to the Ducks Sunday evening. But he told Hayes Fawcett of On3 this reaction after Tavizon turned down USC. 'Cannonballlll,' the San Diego native Tavizon said to the recruiting insider. The 'cannonball' reference started via Dan Lanning. Oregon landed five-star edge rusher for 2026 Richard Wesley on May 10. Lanning proceeded to jump into a pool with Wesley to celebrate the Ducks commitment. However, the Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth star Wesley decommitted 17 days later and is back on the open recruiting market. Oregon, USC battling for top recruiting class Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Ducks and Trojans have stretched their rivalry into the Big Ten. Both battled for Pac-12 supremacy before moving out of the conference for the 2024 season. Advertisement Now their bitterness has spilled over to the college football recruiting trail. USC has put together the nation's top-ranked recruiting class for 2026. But that was a title Oregon held at the start of the year. The Trojans and head coach Lincoln Riley began to siphon away Oregon commits. USC poached four-star quarterback Jonas Williams from the Ducks in February. But the Trojans weren't through raiding the Ducks' '26 class. Prized offensive lineman Tomuhini Topui flipped to USC after originally choosing the Big Ten champs. Topui revealed his change of heart on April 1. The Bowman commitment further increases USC's lead in the national recruiting rankings. Oregon has fallen to 27th nationally with just seven verbal pledges for '26. Oregon, however, just dove into the '27 cycle to grab the Lincoln High star Tavizon. The edge defender reeled in 21 scholarship offers ahead of his junior season before dropping his 'cannonball.'
