USC Football: Head Coach Lincoln Riley Amazed by True Freshman QB's Development
The USC Trojans are coming into 2023 as one of the best college football teams. After uncertainty going into 2022, that's not the case this season.
The Trojans are here, and they're here to make some noise and earn their place among college football elites once again.
One of the main reasons for their continued success is because of their quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Lincoln Riley. The two have brought USC back on the map; however, only one of them will be here beyond 2023, and that will be Williams.
However, they will be in good hands if they choose to go with true freshman QB Malachi Nelson the following season. Barring injury, there's no chance we see Nelson in crucial settings of many games, and he knows it.
The time is not for Nelson this season, but if it comes, Riley would have full confidence in his freshman QB as he raved about his growth earlier this week.
“He’s progressing much, much better,” Riley said after practice Monday. “Physically, it’s been a 180. I would say even mentally too. It was great for him to get the reps during spring. He was probably operating below 50% of his physical capability at that point. We’re glad that he went through it. He’s glad that he went through it. It certainly made him better.”
Nelson had shoulder surgery in December of 2022 and's still working his way from it. He's been with the team since spring ball, and even though he wasn't 100%, he learned from his peers, which coach Riley believes made him better.
“Having three other experienced guys in the room has made (Nelson) better,” Riley said. “It’s a good room. There are a lot of conversations. Guys are competing and they also help each other and push each other. He’s much more confident. High ceiling with him.”
If there's a room you want to be in, it's USC's with Caleb, and if there's a coach you want to be coached by at the QB position, it's Riley.
There are no excuses for Nelson to continue progressing, and we hope to see him out there when the Trojans blow out many teams in the first half of the year.
