USC Wide Receivers Earn Top-10 Grade
USC fielded one of the best offenses in the nation in 2022 and it looks like the Trojans will have that same kind of firepower this fall. Caleb Williams returns as the top quarterback in the country and USC will again have one of the best wide receiver rooms in the country. PFF’s Max Chadwick ranked the nation’s Top 10 wide receiver groups and the USC Trojans fit comfortably inside that top group.
USC is No. 6 in the rankings for Chadwick. And that’s despite the Trojans losing a first-round pick in Jordan Addison, plus transfer portal departures in Gary Bryant Jr., Kyle Ford, C.J. Williams and John Jackson III.
Here’s what Chadwick had to say about USC’s group:
“For the second straight year, Caleb Williams’ top target will be an incoming transfer. Dorian Singer will attempt to fill in the shoes left behind by Jordan Addison and is a top-10 wide receiver in the country. The former walk-on at Arizona tallied 29 catches that went for 15-plus yards last year, second to only Marvin Harrison Jr. among Power Five wide receivers.
After him, the Trojans also return Tahj Washington, who was seventh among Pac-12 receivers a year ago with a 77.0 receiving grade. Mario Williams experienced some drop issues this past season but didn’t drop any of his 37 targets as a true freshman at Oklahoma in 2021, the fourth-most among Power Five receivers. Brenden Rice had 611 receiving yards last year and is the son of the legendary Jerry Rice.
USC also brings in the top wide receiver recruit and the top tight end recruit from the 2023 class in five-stars Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson, the former being the No. 4 overall recruit. Wide receiver Makai Lemon was a top-40 recruit as well.”
The Top Ten
As for the top ten, Chadwick went with Ohio State at No. 1. That’s a consensus this offseason, with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka leading the way. Texas, Washington, Georgia and Florida State are Nos. 2-5. Oregon, LSU, Texas A&M and Alabama complete the top ten.
Who is No. 1 for USC?
It was clear that Addison would be the No. 1 receiver for the Trojans once he announced his commitment to USC. Heading into this season, that No. 1 spot looks much less clear.
Singer is the only one coming off a 1,000-yard season. Rice has the most momentum after he posted a monster performance in the Cotton Bowl. Mario Williams was clearly a go-to option for Caleb Williams when he was healthy, dating back to their time together at Oklahoma. Washington finished as the No. 2 receiver for the Trojans last fall.
Even More Depth
And this rundown from Chadwick doesn’t even include Michael Jackson III or Kyron Hudson, two players who combined for seven touchdowns last season and have produced when given opportunities. Raleek Brown wasn’t listed either. Injuries somewhat slowed his impact as a true freshman. But having moved to slot receiver this spring, he appears poised to potentially have a big season. And there’s an outside chance that Ja’Kobi Lane could contribute as a true freshman.
It’s clear that despite fairly significant personnel change this offseason, USC is set to field one of the most prolific passing attacks in the country.
