The condition of the USC Trojans in the ongoing season is progressively worsening day by day. On one side, the team is struggling to maintain a consistent game with a disappointing 4-5 record, and on the other side, time is running out for improvement. This not only puts their head coach, Lincoln Riley, in a precarious position but also raises concerns about their future in the game. Not only is their 2024 season in jeopardy, but their long-term future is also uncertain. And to add to their troubles, they have now received a harsh reality check regarding their recruitment techniques.

On the November 8 episode of the Locked On USC show, host Marc Kulkin took a bitter shot at the Trojans and their head coach, Lincoln Riley, pointing out that the team should utilize their bye week for recruitment and visits. “Coach Riley and his staff get to hit the road; check out some of the local high school football games. This time, they’re staying local. Their first bye, they traveled across the country, checking out guys in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee, wherever they’re recruiting,” he said. Well, it looks like the host is highlighting their weak performance this season and wants the team to at least focus on recruiting to make a better comeback next year.

What else can you expect after witnessing the team blowing out their playoff chances after their recent 26-21 loss to the Washington Huskies? They don’t hold any ranking in the playoff projection and have not won a single conference game this season. It’s just 0-4! Now if the team wants to become bowl-eligible, they have to win at least two games in the regular season.

Moreover, these last two games are not only important in terms of getting Bowl eligibility but also very crucial for attracting mass recruits for the team. It’s not like the team doesn’t have a single high school player interested in them. It’s evident that their position in the game is not quite promising, but the team is still successfully gaining the trust of young players despite setbacks.

Lincoln Riley’s Trojans win over high school recruits

Even with a disappointing season so far, Lincoln Riley and the Trojans are gaining the confidence of high school players. Not only are they making an early pledge to the team, but they are also standing intact in their decision, even when things are not good with the team. Surprising right? Earlier in April, the team got a commitment from San Clemente’s four-star linebacker Matai Tagoa’i, and the reason behind his move was USC’s linebacker coach Matt Entz. Matai talked about his decision, saying, “I quickly formed a strong connection with Matt Entz and D’Anton Lynn (DC).” Despite getting offers from other prestigious teams in the league like Alabama and Texas, Matai still chose Lincoln Riley & Co.

Well, Matai Tagoa’i is not the only one who made an early commitment to the team. Even Carrollton’s four-star quarterback Julian Lewis also came in early to the program for the class of 2025. Don’t be surprised to know that Julian’s inclination towards the Trojans was because of Lincoln Riley’s remarkable work with high-end quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Kyler Murray. However, Lewis is still visiting universities but has not turned his back on the Trojans. Now the million-dollar question is: will their weak performance in the season cost them some of their outstanding recruits?