Listen: What Lincoln Riley said during USC football's first spring practice press conference

Riley addressed reporters via Zoom following the Trojans' second spring football practice of 2023

USC football coach Lincoln Riley addressed reporters via Zoom following the Trojans' second spring football practice of 2023. He talked about the expectations for his team's defense in the fall, the transfer additions who have emerged as leaders so far, players who've impressed him this spring and much more.

Listen to Riley's full press conference below.

WHAT RILEY SAID 

On the second year of his tenure compared to the first:

"There have been natural progressions that you would expect in a year two. Guys understand the scheme better, guys get better physically. We've brought in some talent that we feel like can make an impact here quickly. What we've of those guys up to that point we've been very, very pleased with. And then you make the necessary adjustments as coaches that are going to put our guys in position to be our best and you go forward."

On Malachi Nelson:

"Malachi hasn't had maybe the most ideal start in terms of having shoulder surgery in late December. He hasn't been able to go full-go in terms of the offseason and throwing. In fact, his first day of real throwing was Sunday, our first practice...He's doing well. He's talented. He's eager. He's got three good guys in there to really learn from as well as the coaches."

On transfer additions who have emerged as leaders:

"Mason Cobb comes to mind as a guy that's starting to assert himself in that way a lot like Shane certainly has for us. Jack Sullivan certainly has some leadership potential there. Christian Roland-Wallace, I've for sure seen some of that."