USC Football: Lincoln Riley Anticipates Breakout Season from Redshirt Sophomore Tight End

Coach Riley is high on his sophomore tight end

The USC Trojans have kicked off their season with a perfect 2-0 record, a promising start that's raising expectations for a championship-worthy team. While they haven't faced their toughest competition yet, there's a sense of optimism surrounding the program. However, amidst the early successes, some players have yet to fully shine, and one such player is redshirt sophomore tight end Lake McRee.

McRee finds himself playing second fiddle to Jude Wolfe at the tight end position and hasn't had as much playing time on the field as he might have hoped for. Through the first two games, he's only managed to amass four receptions for 46 yards. Nevertheless, those within the USC program, including head coach Lincoln Riley, have unwavering faith in McRee's potential.

"He is physically so much further ahead than he was 12 months ago. He's really locked into what we're doing; I think, as a staff, we trust him. I know Caleb, and the quarterbacks trust him. I think he'll continue to be bigger and bigger part of our offense, just like he's trended from last year on. I think he's primed to have a very impactful year."

Coach Riley's praise for McRee is a testament to his talent and work ethic, as he anticipates a breakout season for the young tight end. While Lake McRee's 2023 campaign hasn't started as explosively as he might have wished, he's determined to carve out a more prominent role on the team. In the previous season, he started only two games but still managed to accumulate 106 yards and two touchdowns, hinting at his untapped potential.

It's worth noting that USC boasts a wealth of offensive weapons, making it a competitive environment. However, if Coach Riley is confident in McRee's abilities and anticipates a breakout year, there's every reason to believe that McRee's time to shine could be just around the corner. As the Trojans face tougher challenges ahead, Lake McRee may well be one of the key players who step up to make a significant impact.