USC Football: Depth Chart Battle Looms for Impressive Trojans Freshman Wide Receiver

The Trojans are ridiculously loaded at wideout.

For some reason, it seems that everybody wants to play wide receiver for the Trojans this season.

Perhaps that's because of quarterback Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman winner who is the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 in the 2024 NFL Draft. His strong connection with receiver Jordan Addison led to the 2021 Biletnikoff winner going in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, and a conference's worth of elite receivers awaits on the Trojan depth chart for their shot at playing with one of the best college quarterbacks in the last 20 years (yeah, I said it).

With two five-star freshman receivers in Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson, in addition to already-established college studs Dorian Singer, Brenden Rice, Mario Williams, and Tahj Washington, the competition for reps is heating up.

Four-star recruit Makai Lemon, who missed most of the spring after suffering an injury two practices in, will have to make the most of whatever opportunities he is given on the field.

For what it's worth, Head Coach Lincoln Riley had high praise for the young receiver.

"In a lot of ways, it almost felt like he was brand new for fall camp," Riley said. "He's had an awesome camp. We've been able to move him around position-wise. He's handled it well mentally, stayed healthy. He's a dynamic playmaker. I don't know what's being said on the outside, but he's not ever overshadowed on this field. Not at all."

(Via

The Athletic

)

The skilled route-runner projects as a slot receiver long-term but does not have elite size, length, or speed. He barely missed out on being rated a five-star.

With USC's first three games against San Jose State, Nevada, and Stanford, there should be plenty of opportunities for Lemon and the other young Trojan receivers to make a name for themselves going forward.