Latest news with #Trojans'
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Ja'Kobi Lane in focus
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Ja'Kobi Lane in focus The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 89 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. There are not a ton of options for No. 89, so today, we look at a player who wore it as a freshman before switching numbers as a sophomore: current USC wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane. Years played at USC: 2023-present Career highlights: Lane wore the No. 89 as a freshman, where he played in a reserve role at wide receiver. However, he had a breakout performance in the 2023 Holiday Bowl, catching two long touchdown passes. As a sophomore this past year, Lane switched his number to 8. The change seemed to be good luck, as he finished the season with 525 receiving yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns. Lane figures to play a prominent role in the Trojans' offense again this fall.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eric Gentry, Kamari Ramsey named to LOTT Impact Trophy watch list
Eric Gentry, Kamari Ramsey named to LOTT Impact Trophy watch list The start of the 2025 college football season is drawing closer and closer. Now in June, watch list season is officially upon us. Last week, we got our first USC watch list announcement of the year with the news that both Eric Gentry and Kamari Ramsey were named to the LOTT Impact Trophy Watch List. After dealing with injuries last season, Gentry is hoping to return to form in his final year of eligibility in 2025. When healthy, the linebacker—who transferred in from Arizona State in 2022—has been one of the Trojans' best defensive players. Ramsey started his college career across town at UCLA, before following defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn to UCLA last year. After an impressive first season with the Trojans in 2024, the hard-hitting safety was projected as a mid-round NFL draft pick. However, Ramsey elected to return to USC for his redshirt junior year, and should be one of the leaders of the Trojans' defense in 2025. The LOTT Impact Trophy is presented each year to a defensive player who demonstrates both elite athletic ability and strong personal character. Since the award was first given out in 2007, no USC player has won it. However, four Trojans have been finalists, Devon Kennard in 2913, Adoree' Jackson in 2016, Talanoa Hufanga in 2029, and Tuli Tuipululotu in 2022.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC's Ethan Hedges shines on the NCAA Tournament stage
USC's Ethan Hedges shines on the NCAA Tournament stage Throughout the 2025 college baseball season, USC's Ethan Hedges has been one of the best players in not just the Big Ten, but the entire country. The Trojans' two-way star has done it all, shining both at the plate and on the mound to lead the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade. On Saturday night, the Trojans played a crucial game in the Corvallis Regional versus Saint Mary's. On multiple occasions, it was Hedges who stepped up when USC needed a spark. In the bottom of the first inning, he hit the Trojans' first home run of the tournament to give them an early 1-0 lead. USC eventually fell behind 3-1 before coming back to tie the game at 3. In the fifth inning, Hedges went deep once again, putting the Trojans back in front, a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the night, holding on for a 6-4 victory. It was yet another extraordinary performance in a season that has been full of them for Hedges. As the team's everyday third baseman, Hedges led the Trojans in virtually every category at the plate. In addition, he was a key weapon on the mound, leading the team in saves. Against Saint Mary's, Hedges delivered yet another spectacular performance. As a result, the Trojans are one victory away from their first trip to the super regionals in nearly two decades.
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Highland pitcher Caden VanderMeyden shrugs off shoulder issues. He's on a mission. ‘I want to make history.'
In Highland's chase for history, senior pitcher Caden VanderMeyden is ready to shoulder the burden. The 6-foot-4 right-hander has managed to mostly move past the discomfort in his throwing shoulder that was especially bothersome earlier this season. He said he also 'tweaked' his left shoulder while batting. But VanderMeyden has remained focused on the Trojans' mission to win their first sectional title since 2000. 'We're just all excited to make history,' he said. 'That 25 years, it's been in my brain. 'I imagine going crazy when we win, jumping on each other. But we have to win the games first before we start thinking about that.' VanderMeyden and the Trojans began the Class 3A East Chicago Central Sectional with a 12-1 victory against West Side in five innings on Wednesday night. The Trinity Christian commit said he 'got a feel for the mound' at Block Stadium with a perfect inning for Highland (15-13), striking out two while throwing just eight pitches, to lower his ERA to 1.33. He has 23 strikeouts in 26 ⅓ innings this season. He plays first base when he's not pitching, and he's batting .178. 'Pitching-wise, I feel good,' VanderMeyden said. 'I have the confidence. Hitting-wise, it's been pretty hard. I still have the confidence, but it hasn't worked out in my favor. But pitching, I want the ball, and I want to make history.' The Trojans advanced to play East Chicago Central (12-13) in the sectional semifinals on Friday. If that game goes according to their plan, they'll play either Bishop Noll or Griffith in the championship game on Monday with a healthier VanderMeyden on the mound. 'A couple of weeks ago, my arm was hurting bad,' he said. 'But I got some rest. I iced it. I got through it. It's gotten better. It's not as bad as it was. I'm ready to go.' Zak Pizer, a 2018 Highland graduate and former assistant who in his second season as coach, is ready for VanderMeyden to take the ball. 'CJ's our most reliable guy,' Pizer said. 'He's the guy that we want on that mound. Hopefully he can get that job done that we haven't seen in 25 years. 'He hasn't had as many innings as we'd like him to have. We were like, 'OK, let's slow it down a little bit.' We wanted to conserve him for sectionals, make sure he was ready for sectionals.' Highland junior catcher Kirk Dapshis appreciates VanderMeyden's efforts. 'CJ, that's my boy right there,' Dapshis said. 'That's my ace. He's the guy. When he's on the mound, we know it's going to be a good day. He's been in the right mindset. He's battled. 'He's had days where his arm might not feel good, but he comes back the next week, and no matter who we're playing, no matter where it is, no matter when it is, he's there and competes. He competes every pitch. That's what matters to us, and that's what matters to him.' VanderMeyden was more of a first baseman earlier in his career. But he was a key member of Highland's staff that was headed by then-senior Kyle Stacy last season, posting a 1.81 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 27 innings. 'We knew he'd be the guy this year when he beat Andrean last year,' Pizer said of VanderMeyden. 'When he beat Andrean, he really kind of said he had something special. 'He has the height for it, he has the build for it, he has the heart for it when he wants it, and he has the stuff for it. When his stuff is on, he can compete with anyone in the state.' VanderMeyden is figuring that out for himself. 'I'm surprised I've been doing this well, actually,' he said. 'Being the ace, I was all scared. Last year going into this year, I was like, 'I'm going to be one of the only guys.' But it's been going well. I've gotten a good feel, and I've improved since last year.' After playing basketball during his sophomore and junior years, VanderMeyden decided to concentrate more on baseball. He also joined the tennis team as a junior, having never competed in the sport before, and played No. 1 doubles last season. 'I didn't play basketball this year, so I got to more baseball workouts this winter,' VanderMeyden said. 'It pays off here in games.' The Trojans hope the ultimate payoff occurs next week. 'We're optimistic,' Pizer said. 'We'd like to think that we're the favorite just because we don't want to say we're going to go in there and lose. 'We're very hungry. We want this bad, and our kids are showing it. They want it. Not like every other year they didn't want it — every year they've wanted it — but this year, you can see it in their eyes. They want to be at that regional and even farther if we can.' VanderMeyden definitely wants it. 'I'm just excited for sectionals,' he said. 'I'm excited to be winning some sectional games. I'm excited to be the favorite to win a sectional championship. 'We've always had Hanover and Andrean and LC (Lake Central) in our sectional, and come sectionals, you're like, 'Oh, crap,' because you have those ranked teams and you have one of the hardest schedules. We're in a good spot.'
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC starting pitcher Caden Aoki talks on TV about Trojans' NCAA Tournament position
USC starting pitcher Caden Aoki talks on TV about Trojans' NCAA Tournament position Caden Aoki, USC baseball hope the Trojans don't get snubbed this time on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show Following Friday's walk-off victory over Washington at the Big Ten Tournament, USC baseball's 2025 regular season is now complete. The Trojans' postseason fate now rests in the hands of the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Some people think USC solidified its place in the postseason with this victory, and that avoiding one more loss could prove to be decisive. Yet, after remembering how USC was shockingly snubbed in 2023, it's hard to feel completely confident that the Trojans will be in. We need to see that name in a bracket on Monday before thinking this is a done deal. During Friday's game, USC starting pitcher Caden Aoki was interviewed by Big Ten Network. During his interview, Aoki made a case for the Trojans' postseason inclusion. 'If you look at our scope of work, it's really undeniable that we belong in this tournament," Aoki said. "If you look at it without recency bias, I think we're in," a reference to USC losing six of its last nine games. Aoki mentioned USC having 17 Quad 1 or 2 wins plus 17 road wins. Aoki also mentioned that USC wasn't even playing home games at its regular home stadium, Dedeaux Field, this season. Aoki added that USC lost only three series the whole season. He certainly came prepared with facts and numbers and made a strong case for the Trojans. However, this is not about what Caden Aoki thinks. It's about what the selection committee thinks. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will take place on Monday at 9 a.m. Pacific time. USC is looking to make its first appearance in the tournament since 2015.
