I teased this a bit in the spring, but we're full-go now on semi-regular columns under the Trojans Talk brand. It's a platform for me to opine and offer perspective on any range of USC topics. I'm looking forward to having fun with this, and we'll get Matt, Taj and Jeff to do some as well.

Today, I delve fully into the Julian Lewis situation, what I took away from my recent conversation with he and his father and where I firmly believe things stand:

He's not counting out USC for Elijah Griffin yet ...


On that note, I tried to set up a visit to Griffin's HS in Georgia when I was in Florida but his coach said they were off for two weeks and it wasn't feasible. That would have been useful, though.

What do you all think is the current perception of USC on a national scale? Just curious of what the board thinks.

Matt, Jeff and I had a good planning meeting for the season ahead. I think we have a great plan in place, and Tajwar will of course be part of it as well.

Tomorrow we'll start our leadup to camp content, of which there is a lot. Still tinkering with my 24 Most Important Trojans for 24 list but have it mostly set. I'll be working tonight behind the scenes and will start loading up the site tomorrow.

Sam Spiegelman has the story for us:


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I'll add from my talk with Pettijohn that he was genuinely impressed by D'Anton Lynn's NFL defense and how it could develop him. He didn't bring up Matt Entz until I asked specifically about him, so it sounds like Lynn was the biggest voice in his ear on his visit. Overall, USC got a real boost from the impression it made on Pettijohn on his OV. Is it enough? I'm not sure.

As for the perception that Texas is the big favorite, he said "We'll have to see" while noting that his recent Texas visit reinforced to him "just how close they are" to a national championship.

OF COURSE, Trumpy will be resoundingly exonerated by a jury of fellow NY'ers!!! But just for devil's advocate ..... if convicted, how many years of free room and board at Ryker's Island could his thirty-four count indictment in the upcoming six week NY CRIMINAL trial drama get him? All are Felony E types that only carry a max of four years for each ..... yet still qualifies him for a 134 year vacation!!! 🤣 🤣 🤣

Kings just signed Demar Rozan and Jordan McLaughlin. Also have Boogie Ellis under contract.

Will be easy to root for.

Oaks Christian edge rusher Hayden Lowe is just one of a handful of in-state recruits committed to USC for 2025. He has watched a few of his future teammates leave the class in recent weeks, but he still holds the Trojans in high regard. Knowing that he is one of the local prospects the staff targeted in the cycle holds a lot of weight, and his respect for Eric Henderson and the new defensive coaches is certainly high.

He also values everything that comes with attending USC and playing football for the Trojans. The four-star prospect remains solid in his pledge, and I spoke with him about all that and more. You can read about it at the link up top.

"I'm really looking to come in and play early," he said. "I'll feel blessed if I have the opportunity to come in and be a force helping the defense. SC, in the past, that's what they were really known for, and I feel like being a Cali dude and staying home it's a lot better. SC doesn't really recruit Cali as much. They go to Georgia and Texas, so I feel like it's a good opportunity for me."

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USC has been in a good spot with Simms since his visit. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Many think Notre Dame is the favorite here with Michigan making a strong push of late. The way he talks about USC, though, it doesn't sound like the Trojans are out of it.

Happy 4th of July to All! 🇺🇸
Have a Safe & Sane Holiday

“You’re so concerned with squabbling for the scraps from Longshank’s table, that you’ve missed your God-given right to something better.

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As I expected was imminent … tough one.

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A couple of USC priority targets and official visitors will be making decisions this week.

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July 2 | finalists: USC, Texas A&M, Texas, Michigan

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July 6 | finalists: USC, Texas A&M, Texas, Ohio State

Here's John Garcia's story on Olugbode. I'll have my own coming with a lot more USC talk.

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I’ve been in our annual Rivals publishers conference all day. Will be cranking out a bunch of stories overnight and all day tomorrow. Gotta drive back to where I’m staying and I’m cooked after a long day of meetings. But I’ve got a ton of stories in the queue.

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Massive 6-foot-8, 365-pound offensive lineman Elijah Vaikona will announce his college choice later today. It is expected to take place at 5 p.m. with Vaikona just announcing it via a social media post — no ceremony or anything like that I've been told. USC is heading in as the favorite with Washington and UCLA being the other two finalists. He never took an official visit to UCLA, however. Washington hosted him last, but the Trojans have jumped into the favorite position after hosting him on campus the middle of last month. Things came together quickly after he participated in several camps in June leading to a number of new offers. USC offered him on June 13.

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Right here:

Rivals rolled out a new logo and site design this morning. What do y’all think?

More on our thoughts here: