Skip to main content
USC

Lincoln Riley addresses DJ Wingfield's mental state during eligibility push: 'Just do the right thing'

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney08/01/25ErikTMcKinney
USC head coach Lincoln Riley walks on to the field ahead of a game against Penn State
USC head coach Lincoln Riley walks on to the field ahead of a game against Penn State (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

USC offensive lineman DJ Wingfield has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA as he looks to gain a year of eligibility that had been promised via an NCAA announcement granting a blanket waiver for players who played at least one season at a non-NCAA program. Wingfield’s waiver was subsequently denied despite seemingly fitting the criteria for the extra year. USC head coach Lincoln Riley said during Big Ten Media Days that he couldn’t fully address the issue. On Friday, following USC’s fall camp practice, Riley was asked about Wingfield’s mental state. Riley appeared at first to want to hold back from fully commenting, but went forward.

“He’s not doing very good,” Riley said. “I’m not supposed to comment on these things. But what’s happening with that, and not just DJ, across the country, just isn’t right. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years of coaching. I’ve been a part of a lot of different, unique situations that come up and this one’s a new one.”

Wingfield played at El Camino College during the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons. He then played at New Mexico in 2022 but was injured and knocked out for the year in the season’s first game. Wingfield played at New Mexico in 2023 and Purdue in 2024, meaning he’s played two full years of NCAA FBS football, used a redshirt year, and played two full years of juco football (the Covid 2020 season not counting).

Former Nevada receiver Cortez Braham just committed to Memphis after receiving an injunction last week when his waiver was earlier denied. Braham has taken the same path as Wingfield, playing at a junior college from 2019-2021, then at FBS schools from 2022-2024.

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda announced Wednesday that wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins received his extra year of eligibility. Hawkins played one year at Cisco CC and then three full seasons at Texas State plus last season at Baylor.

“The crazy thing is it’s not just DJ,” Riley said. “There’s guys all over the country that are in absolute limbo right now. Watching the kid push through is amazing because what he’s going through, I can’t even begin to imagine. We’re trying to support him the best we can. But yeah, it’s not easy, not a good situation. I probably honestly said more than they want me to say, but oh well.”

Wingfield attended USC’s first practice of fall camp this past Wednesday but was not in uniform.

“I know it’s complicated,” Riley said of the eligibility and appeals process. “I’m not throwing huge shade at anyone. Sometimes you’ve just got to do the right thing, at the end of the day. Just do the right thing. That’s, I think, what we’re all asking for. There’s situations like this all over the country. Nobody’s trying to pull anything on anyone. These are extremely legitimate.”

You may also like

Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz