New “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle” (Tuesday, Dec. 19) edition: Portal, coaches additions and subtractions, recruiting, and more.
Pregame
In Tuesday’s edition of Inside the Trojans’ Huddle, panelists Marc Kulkin, Erik McKinney, Chris Arledge, and Greg Katz analyze and discuss USC’s transfer portal additions and subtractions, coaching departures and arrivals, National Letter of Intent Day, a brand new Big Ten Lightning Round, viewers’ questions and panel answers, and more.
First Quarter
In the first quarter of the Huddle, the panel jumps out aggressively into their thoughts and perspective of former USC quarterback Malachi Nelson placing his name into the NCAA transfer portal, the departure of former secondary coach Donte Williams, and the addition of former University of Houston associate head coach/secondary coach Doug Belk to Lincoln Riley’s staff.
The panel then transitions to what they expect to see happen with this week’s early National Letter of Intent signing window and general thoughts on recent portal transfers into the USC football program.
Second Quarter
In the second quarter of the Huddle, the panel puts perspective and analysis the large number of Trojans’ exiting into the transfer portal, the latest being freshman linebacker Tackett Curtis. The panel is asked whether they are concerned or alarmed by what they are seeing in the USC football program, or is this Trojans’ portal exodus just par for the course for where we are in the overall world of college football? One panel member is extremely incensed over the Curtis portal decision. Who was it?
For the record, the panel had no idea during Tuesday morning’s Huddle taping that shortly after veteran defensive lineman Korey Foreman would enter the transfer portal. Ya think that might have provoked some feisty conversation?
Halftime
The panel takes a look at the upcoming DirecTV Holiday Bowl in San Diego and answers the questions about the rosters of both the Trojans and Louisville and how their rosters are being affected by both the transfer portal and defections to the NFL draft. One panel member said the Trojans’ Holiday roster might be smaller in numbers than a normal conference travel team squad.
Third Quarter
In the third quarter, the panel gives their rapid responses to the Big Ten Lightning Round of questions. Among the topics for the lightning round: USC’s signing period national ranking, surprise commitments or decommitments, paying players for bowl appearances, QB Will Howard, withdrawals from the portal, surprise Holiday Bowl performers, QB Jake Jensen, uniforms, and Caleb Williams.
The Big Ten bonus question? The panel gives their memory of the greatest holiday gift they have ever received.
Fourth Quarter
Following the lighting of the WeAreSC symbolic Coliseum torch between the third and fourth quarters of the Huddle, the panel leads off the fourth quarter by answering viewers’ questions.
Viewers’ questions address the specific coaching changes and additions, winning or losing to Louisville, turning the defense around, quarterback depth, Lincoln Riley’s quarterback credibility, NIL improvement, D-line vs the secondary, missing boosters, columnists’ identities, and Christmas destinations.
Overtime
In an interesting question, the panel is asked to give their opinion whether the USC/UCLA game – in an effort to give the crosstown rivalry a “mini bowl” feel – should be moved from the Coliseum and the Rose Bowl to So-Fi Stadium? The panel had mixed feelings, but two members thought is was worth discussion.
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USC Trojans videos from Los Angeles, California, from the staff of WeAreSC.
