Lincoln Riley gives impressive initial take on Jordan Addison

The USC Trojans got in their first day of all practice on Friday, and head coach Lincoln Riley likes what he’s seen from his team so far. Riley and the Trojans got off to a solid offseason in the spring culminating in an impressive spring game. However, one of his most potent offensive weapons was not on campus for the spring game receiver Jordan Addison. After practice, Riley spoke to the media and gave an impressive initial take on Addison’s first practice with the Trojans.

“Yeah, he’s a good player, he is. He’s very attentive. You coach the details, and then you see it show up on the field pretty quickly,” said Riley. “(Jordan) Made some nice plays for us today. He’s obviously a proven player in his past, but he’s gotta come prove it here. But he had a really strong day. For the first time truly on the field coaching him, he’s impressive.”

Looking ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft, new USC Trojans offensive weapon Jordan Addison has already established himself as a likely first-rounder.

Addison had 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns before entering the portal just ahead of the May 1 deadline. At USC with Caleb Williams, he has the opportunity to shine in the Power Five and move even further up the draft board.

In PFF’s way-too-early 2023 mock draft, they have the new Trojan coming off the board at No. 21 overall.

Addison explains why USC’s ‘family culture’ made his transfer transition easier

The USC Trojans’ new star wide receiver, Jordan Addison, recently sat down with the media and talked about his experience thus far in the program. Addison was one of a handful of star players to join Lincoln Riley in sunny Southern California this offseason. At the beginning of his interview, the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner explained what made his transfer transition to USC easier.

“Usually, this transition is a little bit tough, but just like the family culture they have here, and everybody welcomed me with open arms. And I got a lot of support, so that made it a lot easier to come in here and do what I gotta do,” said Addison.

While the warm family welcome was extended to him from both Trojan’s current and past, there was one group, in particular, Addison explained made him feel the most welcomed.

“Really the receiver room. They welcomed me in and brought me in under their wing. We’ve been going to war with each other. We’ve been outside on the field, running sprints, doing what we have to do to get prepared for the season. I feel like I can stick with those guys.”

The program and fans expect big things from their new star wide receiver, and even former Trojan stars believe in Addison already. Former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at USC, Carson Palmer, has so much trust in the new pass catcher that he allowed Addison to sport his retired No.3 jersey.

Whether or not his tenure with the Trojans will be successful or not still remains to be seen. But USC has started this relationship off on the right foot with the family culture approach, and that can go a long way toward building a solid foundation for this new era of Trojan football.