Latest news with #DAntonLynn
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC cornerback Prophet Brown suffers noncontact injury, will miss start of season
Through the first two weeks of USC's preseason football camp, Prophet Brown had established himself as one of the early standouts in a crowded cornerback room. But Brown's breakout was cut short this week, when the redshirt junior suffered a noncontact injury during USC's practice that's expected to keep him out for the foreseeable future. The timeline for his return remains uncertain. USC coach Lincoln Riley suggested the team would definitely be without him 'for the first few games' but was still 'hopeful to get him back here at some point.' 'Hate it for him because he's been playing really well,' Riley said. 'Obviously has had one of the more rapid ascents [this fall] in terms of all the years that he's been here.' USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn had just singled out Brown on Wednesday night as 'one of the guys we trust most on defense.' 'He's taken a big step,' Lynn said. 'Outside of [safety] Kamari [Ramsey], I would say there's no one on the back end that knows the defense quite like him.' Read more: Inside Jayden Maiava's quest to become a complete quarterback for USC Brown had taken reps at all three corner spots since the beginning of camp, but was widely believed to be the favorite to start at slot corner. The only other player on USC's roster with more than a handful of snaps in the slot during his college career is transfer corner DJ Harvey. Lynn said on Wednesday that Harvey was getting some reps at slot corner. 'He's a guy from a skill set standpoint that can do all three [corner positions],' Lynn said. 'So we're trying to get him as many reps at those slots as possible, to try to see which one is his best spot.' Chasen Johnson, a transfer from Central Florida, and DeCarlos Nicholson were both expected to compete for outside corner spots and have minimal experience in the slot. Until Friday, USC had felt pretty good about its depth at the position. But losing Brown is a significant blow, one that will put more pressure on young defensive backs to contribute early. Riley also mentioned Braylon Conley and Marcelles Williams as corners who impressed in camp and could step up in Brown's place. Feeling good up front At the start of camp, no position on USC's roster appeared, on paper, to be as big of a concern as the offensive line, where the Trojans have to replace three starters from a group that already struggled a year ago. But nearing the midway point of camp, Riley said he feels better about depth up front than he did in the spring. 'I like this group a lot,' Riley said. 'Some young guys that have really come on fast. Give credit to Coach [Zach] Hanson for the development of these guys because we've got some guys who are rapidly improving.' Among those who have surprised Riley: Guards Hayden Treter and Micah Banuelos, both of whom have dealt with injuries since coming to USC. Both will likely be needed this season, given the lack of proven options otherwise. Etc. Star wideout Ja'Kobi Lane [unspecified injury] has yet to fully participate in USC's preseason practices, but is expected to begin 'ramping up' in the coming days, Riley said. Sign up for more USC news with Times of Troy. In your inbox every Monday morning. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Versatile Incoming USC Defender Reveals Where He'll Line up
Versatile Incoming USC Defender Reveals Where He'll Line up originally appeared on Athlon Sports. USC is luring more than future cornerstones to the Land of Troy via the 2026 recruiting class. The Trojans have versatile talent coming in. Including one heading to the defensive backfield following National Signing Day in December. Advertisement Except this defender now has an idea of where he'll line up when his time comes. Madden Riordan gained new clarity of his future USC role during his weekend of June 21 official visit. Riordan is one of the longest running verbal commits for the USC '26 class -- as he's been committed to USC and Lincoln Riley since Nov. 2023. He's also a prized local get for the Trojans as he stars for Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth. Riordan is known for his versatility on the defensive side, including playing cornerback. But he clarified what his role will be with Jarrett Perez of 247Sports Tuesday. Especially after speaking with his future defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn. USC Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) breaks the tackle of LSU Tigers safety Dashawn Spears. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports "My meeting with coach Lynn basically confirmed my position as a nickel safety and just what I would provide to the defense," Riordan said. Advertisement This means Lynn will trust Riordan to take on the slot wide receiver and play close to the line of scrimmage. Greg Biggins of 247Sports wrote down how Riordan already brings the coveted skills for that role in a previous prospect evaluation. "Strengths include his football instincts, ball awareness, ball skills and feel for the position," Biggins wrote. "One of those players who plays fast, 1-2 steps ahead of everyone because of his instincts, how he reads the game and his feel for the position." Riordan brings future ball-hawking potential to the USC defense. Lynn likely will love his instinctive side. But are there areas USC wants to see more of from Riordan before he tackles his senior season? Particularly with his 150-pound frame? Advertisement "They said they just want me to keep being me. That's a thing they kept saying. Like, don't change anything to compensate," he told Perez. "They want me to get my body right and ready. Slowly but surely. I'm not trying to rush putting on that weight. So I'm going to keep it where I'm at and then get to USC and be ready for their weight program that fits me best instead of just winging it right now and putting on bad weight." Riordan has since witnessed the USC '26 class blossom to 30 total verbal commits. And claiming No. 1 across the nation for recruiting classes. Related: USC Commit Earns Unique Comparison to Wrestling Legend This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC Assistant Drops True Feelings on Recruiting Ranking
USC Assistant Drops True Feelings on Recruiting Ranking originally appeared on Athlon Sports. USC fans are loving where the Trojans sit in the 2026 national recruiting rankings. They've watched Lincoln Riley and his coaching staff grow more assertive on the trail and pull off epic moves. Advertisement But how does one top Riley assistant really feel about holding down the No. 1 spot? Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn broke his silence on USC's top overall recruiting ranking during his appearance with the Mason & Ireland show on ESPN L.A. radio. Sixteen of the 30 verbal commits hail on defense -- giving Lynn future talent to work with. That includes prized four-star linebacker Talanoa Ili. But is Lynn himself basking in the glory of taking No. 1 in the class rankings? Or even getting caught up in the praise? Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln RileyGary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images "I know that everyone is advertising this as the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. I don't really get caught up in where we are ranked," Lynn told both radio hosts. Advertisement He elaborated on what he really seeks each season on the recruiting trail. "I just want the right kids, obviously from what they can do on the field but then who they are off the field," said Lynn. He credited one newcomer for helping fuel these strong recruiting results, though. "I feel like with the new general manager Chad [Bowden] and the scouting department being aligned with the coaching staff, we've been able to go after not just talent but going after the right type of kids that we want in this program," Lynn said. "You look at every single kid in that class, these are all kids you are super excited to coach. This is why you come to SC; to coach kids like the kids in [this] class." Advertisement Ili isn't the only intriguing commit for '26. Simonte Katoanga is coming to bolster the edge rush room. Jaimeon Winfield and Tomuhini Topui form an intriguing, imposing interior defensive line duo for the future. Madden Riordan is one more prized commit. He's expected to man nickel safety when he arrives to the Land of Troy. Related: USC Legend Amon-Ra St. Brown Takes Rare Jab at Chiefs, Kansas City This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
