WATCH: Tight end Josh Falo details journey to USC
USC tight end Josh Falo is the elder statesman of the team locker room. He spent five years in the program under Clay Helton and will begin his sixth in 2022 after a journeyman career with the Trojans. Ahead of his final year, the USC team Twitter account caught up with Falo to tell the story of how and why he ended up at USC roughly five years ago.
Check out the feature below.
Falo discusses being from the American Samoa and what respresenting that heritage means to him. He wants his image as a Samoan to be “as great as it can be.”
Falo also went on to explain why USC stuck out to him as he was deciding on where to go to college. He said their history is “impeccable” in football and other sports. But he also praised the education side of USC, saying that a USC degree puts you at the top of the list during the job interview process.
The veteran tight end also enjoys the camaraderie that comes with being a student-athlete at USC. Once he and his teammates are done with practice and school work, “it’s all fun and games” for them. In his last year in Los Angeles, Falo wants to get the most out of the experience he has left at USC.
Josh Falo Background
Falo has experienced an odd career during his five years of play so far. He actually earned reps as a true freshman in 2017, serving as a special teamer while getting snaps as a backup tight end on offense. He only had four receptions but he scored two touchdowns along with just 65 total yards.
In 2018, as a true sophomore, Falo enjoyed the best season of his career. He caught 10 passes over 10 games played and racked up 158 yards in the process. He couldn’t find the end zone but posted career numbers across the board otherwise.
Unfortunately Falo’s role didn’t increase the following season. He did appear in 11 games in 2019 and played a crucial role on special teams, but his action at tight end was limited. He hauled in four receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown over the course of the season.
USC didn’t feature Falo in the offense in 2020. He didn’t participate as much on special teams, and only stepped on the field in three games as a backup tight end. He didn’t catch any passes throughout the year.
Falo didn’t do much the next season either. His bio for that year on the USC team site read: “Falo, an effective downfield pass catcher, did not see action as a senior tight end in 2021.”
But like he said, Falo is happy getting his degree and hanging out at USC for another year, regardless of his role on the football team. He’s just thrilled to still be a part of the team in year six.