Michael Trigg the latest USC true freshman standing out

Michael Trigg turned heads during Tuesday’s practice. It came on a play where he hauled in a pass one-handed and turned upfield. Then he turned necks, torsos, arms, legs and every other body part of 11 defenders when he juked three players, bounced off a fourth, sidestepped a fifth, barreled through a sixth and dragged five more another handful of yards for one of the more spectacular plays of USC’s fall camp.

Beastmode.

@mtrigg_23#FightOn ✌️ pic.twitter.com/jO7w9w0zdq

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) August 18, 2021

“I made one move and then I was just trying to get to the endzone,” Trigg said. “Doing whatever it takes.”

Doing “whatever it takes” led to two more touchdowns in quick succession, when Trigg made a key block on a running play and when he outjumped a cornerback on a fade route. It was the second day in a row that Trigg has made at least one highlight play.

The potential impact Trigg can make in his USC career is tremendous. The combination of athleticism and size clearly makes him a difficult ball carrier to bring down and also someone who can go win jump balls with the skills of an efficient basketball rebounder. But he’s been slowed just a bit this fall in dealing with mastering the playbook enough to carve out a significant role on the field. After practice, Trigg was direct in his assessment that he’s struggled learning the playbook since arriving at USC, a byproduct of working in a very different high school system. Trigg said he’s “learning day by day,” but that confusion didn’t allow him to make the instant impact of some of the other newcomers.

“I get confused a lot, so I ask a lot of questions in the meetings,” Trigg said. “Players and coaches, teammates, they’re always so fast to help me.”

Trigg said wide receivers like Drake London, Kyle Ford, Gary Bryant Jr. and K.D. Nixon have been guys he’s leaned on, but that defensive vets have been there for support as well, such as Greg Johnson, Drake Jackson and Chase Williams.

“They’re always telling me stuff, keeping my head up and stuff like that,” Trigg said. “I feel like everybody helps, like it’s a family here.”

Trigg said his understanding of the playbook is much better this week than last. That progression should continue throughout fall camp, meaning Trigg could be on his way to making an impact as a true freshman despite being part of a talented group of veteran tight ends.

Trigg said he has a “goofy” personality off the field. It seems like at virtually every practice, at least one coach is laughing with Trigg while he goes through warmups. This summer, he was in the middle of a number of spirited debates walking back and forth from conditioning sessions to PRPs. It’s clear he’s one of those guys who is well-liked by the entire roster. Following Tuesday’s practice, defensive end Korey Foreman was ribbing him about all the media wanting to speak with him. London got a good view behind the media scrum to watch Trigg answer questions and provide background distractions for him. And there was the shout of, “Oh my God, Trigg, we love you!” over questions.

London made a splash as a true freshman by working in that hybrid tight end/wide receiver spot that seems to fit Trigg. They aren’t exactly the same kind of player, but Trigg does have a blueprint for how USC coaches would like to utilize that position with an even bigger body more comfortable helping out in the running game. London is a guy Trigg would like to emulate as a player, but knows it might not come right away.

“I got some work to do, but yeah,” Trigg said with a smile when asked if he sees his game potentially matching up with London’s.

Trigg said he’s been working to form a relationship with all three quarterbacks, speaking with them every day and getting used to catching passes from each. The transition from high school comes with a few challenges, including new quarterbacks, a new offensive position and a new position. Mostly used out wide in high school, Trigg said the Trojans sold him on working both inside and outside at this level.

“They told me I was going to be more of a flex and get in the trenches sometimes,” he said. “I feel like that’s the best way to prepare you for the league…Coming here, it’s kind of a balance because I go inside and outside, so kind of doing what I like to do and the stuff I need to do.”

Right now the playbook is the biggest obstacle to Trigg getting involved early and often.

“Everything on the field, I feel like I can do,” Trigg said. “But on the playbook, I feel like I was a little lost — finding it right now.”

He’s yet another true freshman who has had a day or two this spring or fall making a major impact and showing signs he could contribute very early in his career. Defensive end Korey Foreman is virtually a sure thing to play and make a sizable impact this season. Quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Miller Moss have had strong days. Running back Brandon Campbell and wide receiver Michael Jackson III were some of the spring standouts. Cornerback Ceyair Wright had a nice fall camp practice with an interception and a few standout plays. Wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV has generated headlines this fall. Linebacker Raesjon Davis is working his way into the mix at inside linebacker. Safety Calen Bullock has gotten some first-team reps at times. And Trigg is the latest edition to a long list that has the potential to grow longer.

Trigg might be outspoken and over the top off the field and with teammates, but he’s grounded and all business when it comes to what comes next on the field. Asked what the expectations are for himself this season, Trigg said, “Keep working hard and see where that gets me.”