USC football tight end depth: Duce Robinson is the x-factor

The Trojans enter the 2023 season with five tight ends on its roster

With spring practice in the books, we've put out our projected USC football depth chart for the fall. But let's go deeper. Over the course of the next few weeks, we'll release position by position breakdowns of USC's roster.

Who is back from last season? Who's new? Who will have the biggest impact? Who's an under the radar player to watch? What does the future of the position look like?

We'll answer all of those questions and more.

We started our breakdowns with the quarterbacks and then moved to running backs. Let's now dive into the tight end spot. 

THE ROOM

USC enters the 2023 season with five tight ends on its roster: Lake McRee (R-So.), Duce Robinson (Fr.), Carson Tabaracci (R-Fr.), Kade Eldridge (Fr.) and Jude Wolfe (R-Sr.).

McRee, Wolfe and Tabaracci return from last season although Tabaracci was a linebacker a year ago and switched to tight end this spring. Robinson and Eldridge will both be true freshmen. 

DEPTH CHART

1. Lake McRee (R-So.) OR Duce Robinson (Fr.)

2. Carson Tabaracci (R-Fr.) OR Kade Eldridge (Fr.) OR Jude Wolfe (R-Sr.)

As a five-star prospect, Robinson will have a chance to push McRee for the starting job. Robinson didn't commit until late March, which may lead to an adjustment period for the freshman this summer before he sees game action. Regardless, expectations are very high.

It's tough to envision Tabaracci or Wolfe having a major role next season and Eldridge is a wildcard. Tabaracci missed all of last season with an injury and Wolfe missed the whole spring with an injury. The coaching staff loves Eldridge's versatility, which could lead to him playing some part in the 2023 offense. 

2022 STATS

McRee: 10 catches for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns

Wolfe: Played 22 special teams snaps

WHAT TO EXPECT

Last season, tight ends in USC's offense caught 17 passes and six touchdowns. Outside of the red zone, the unit wasn't utilized much in the passing game. The tight ends also combined for just one carry.

How quickly the two freshmen get up to speed will likely determine how much involvement the tight end group will have as pass catchers and rushers. If McRee is the main tight end for the majority of the season, expect the position to again be limited in the pass game. 

Robinson is the x-factor. His size at 6-foot-6 and speed makes him a matchup nightmare. If Robinson does force his way onto the field in his first year, it may be as a receiver in some sets, according to Lincoln Riley.

"He's a guy we'll have the opportunity to move around and do some unique things with," Riley said.

Eldridge could see action out of the backfield next season as he played running back in high school. He's a versatile addition to the room. 

Tabaracci and Wolfe will be in special teams/reserve roles. 

THEY SAID IT

Riley has been impressed with the offseason McRee has put together. 

“Lake’s been awesome," Riley said. Lake’s playing at a high level. He has really improved. He's improved physically. What he did last year for us was impressive especially considering all the time he had missed. I know we talked a lot about it. The fact that he's had some consistent offseason work and physical work under his belt, we've been able to do a little bit more with him this spring, which was expected, but he's been really good."

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Riley has liked what he's seen from Tabaracci since the position switch.

“He's done a nice job," Riley said. "He really has. He's got a cool skill set for that. I don't think there's any question he's gonna have the ability to have an impact."

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Here's a portion of 247Sports.com's scouting report of Robinson as a prospect:

"His athleticism allows him to line up in the slot, outside and in the core of the formation to be a constant threat against the defense and provide mismatches that can be exploited. Whether it’s a corner, linebacker or safety covering him, Robinson’s chance to win are far greater than those of his opponent...Robinson has unlimited potential. With his skill set and physical abilities, he could be an all-conference performer for multiple years. I see him as a player that has NFL ability and should be an early-round pick in his future."

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In an interview with 247Sports.com's Steve Wiltfong, Riley said of Eldridge:

“Two other guys I'm really high on that I thought were great [recruiting] wins, I thought Kade Eldridge was one. He had one of the more unique skillsets of anyone in the country."

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Riley anticipates Wolfe being healthy by the fall.

"Obviously not having Jude right now is tough for us," he said in March. "We'll be excited to get him back in the fall."

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF THE POSITION LOOK LIKE?

Robinson, Eldridge and Walker Lyons, who signed in February, but won't join the team until the 2024 season due to serving an LDS mission, make up a very strong tight end group from the 2023 high school recruiting class. That's a strong foundation for the future.

In the 2024 cycle, the Trojans currently have a commitment from four-star Oregon tight end Joey Olsen as well. 

That's a lot of legit talent. McRee still has two years of eligibility after next season. Tabarracci has multiple years as well and Wolfe could come back in 2024 if he wanted. 

The future of the tight end spot for USC is bright. This should be a deep group in 2024 and 2025.