USC Coach Riley on 'Critical' NIL Presence

After disappointing 7-5 season, Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley wants a critical presence in NIL

The USC Trojans might have won just seven games in 2023, which is a huge disappointment for a program with College Football Playoff aspirations. 

Now, Lincoln Riley and the Trojans should be major players in the transfer portal, and they have already been rumored to have interest in some of the top quarterbacks with Caleb Williams headed for the NFL Draft. 

Riley knows how important it is to have a strong NIL presence, and he reiterated that stance earlier in the week (h/t Shotgun Spratling). 

"Having a strong NIL program is critical."

Riley coached the Oklahoma Sooners before coming to USC, and since NIL was adopted, he has taken full advantage of the new landscape of college sports. 

He was able to lure Caleb Williams from Norman, and then brought in Pitt transfer and Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison in the same offseason. 

In 2023, he landed South Carolina RB MarShawn Lloyd and Arizona WR Dorian Singer, as well as others.

Sure, playing time and the system was one reason, but being able to offer NIL deals and having the resources is a big selling point for players now. 

The Trojans men's basketball team brought in Bronny James and No. 1 prospect Isaiah Collier, and the women's team landed JuJu Watkins, the No. 1 women's player in her class. 

Having a talented team or head coach is one thing, but having the NIL collectives to shell out cash is another, and so far, USC has been able to do just that. 

Appreciate everyone making such a big difference for @USC_Athletics & @uscfb

The Trojan Family is 2nd to none!!!
✌️@houseof_victory https://t.co/7IWLRUivqc

— Lincoln Riley (@LincolnRiley) November 3, 2023

With the transfer portal season here, the Trojans should once again be major factors, and there should be a ton of NIL deals coming their way.