Do you remember, before the UCLA game, when Zach Banner had a post on Instagram lamenting his final home game with Alex Wood? Naturally, many of us believed it signaled Banner was planning to declare for the draft.
Well, a footnote in the weekly game notes leading up to that week's UCLA game revealed the real reason behind Banner's post.
Wood, who was USC's placekicker all last season, is leaving the football program despite having a final year of eligibility.
I confirmed this with USC this afternoon and learned he is one of six redshirt juniors who aren't expected to return for 2016. The others are DB Ryan Dillard, WR Robby Kolanz, SNP Nick Schlossberg, QB Conner Sullivan and WR Christian Tober.
Wood is obviously the most notable given his big role last year. USC plans to have Class of 2016 kicker Michael Brown of Temecula Linfield Christian walk on this fall (and ultimately blueshirt). He'll compete with former blueshirt Matt Boermeester, who has yet to attempt a field goal since joining the program in 2014.
These departures also bring USC's total scholarship count to 81. The addition of Brown will make 82, which is what Helton said it would be on Signing Day.
Well, a footnote in the weekly game notes leading up to that week's UCLA game revealed the real reason behind Banner's post.
Wood, who was USC's placekicker all last season, is leaving the football program despite having a final year of eligibility.
I confirmed this with USC this afternoon and learned he is one of six redshirt juniors who aren't expected to return for 2016. The others are DB Ryan Dillard, WR Robby Kolanz, SNP Nick Schlossberg, QB Conner Sullivan and WR Christian Tober.
Wood is obviously the most notable given his big role last year. USC plans to have Class of 2016 kicker Michael Brown of Temecula Linfield Christian walk on this fall (and ultimately blueshirt). He'll compete with former blueshirt Matt Boermeester, who has yet to attempt a field goal since joining the program in 2014.
These departures also bring USC's total scholarship count to 81. The addition of Brown will make 82, which is what Helton said it would be on Signing Day.
