USC has one of the best wide receiver rooms in the nation

Photo bySammy Saludo

By Benjamin Verbrugge

With Caleb Williams off to the NFL, Miller Moss is the next quarterback in line to run Lincoln Riley's high-powered offense. He follows a long list of signal callers, including Williams, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts, who all found great success in Riley's system.

Following in the footsteps of this impressive group of quarterbacks can be a daunting task, but Moss will have some help. The list of pass catchers attached to those now NFL starters is equally as star-studded. Marquise Brown, Mark Andrews, CeeDee Lamb, and Jordan Addison, to name a few, are all making a name for themself at the next level, and that is where a new wave of playmakers will step in for USC.

The Trojans will roll out four sophomore wide receivers on Sept. 1 against LSU, who will all be looking to take their game up a notch. Although the group is young and unproven, it has its sights on being one of the best units in college football this upcoming season.

"This receiver unit and the whole offense is definitely one to look out for. I know we are one of the best (in the nation), and people are going to realize that this year," said Makai Lemon. "We know what we are, and I just can't wait to show it to everybody else."

Lemon is just one of Moss's security blankets and will be joined by Duce Robinson, Ja'Kobi Lane, and Zachariah Branch. Robinson and Lane are massive targets that will man the outside, while the speedsters Lemon and Branch dominate in the slot.

All four made their way onto the field last year as freshmen, but mostly in a limited fashion. Robinson led the group with 351 yards, and none of them scored more than two receiving touchdowns, making the group relatively unknown.

"We have a lot of nice tools in this room. You got speed, a combination of a variety of sizes, and some strength," said wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons. "I'm very excited about where we are and the direction we are going."

Branch enters the season as the most high-profile player of the bunch. He was the number one wide receiver recruit in his class, earned First Team All-American honors last year as a punt returner, and was named to the preseason Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list. Trojan fans quickly became familiar with his speed when he took a 96-yard kickoff return to the house in USC's 2023 season opener. Branch was electric as a true freshman and has a chance to become one of the most feared playmakers in all of college football in year two.

"It is the same preparation; just keep my head down. I don't try to change anything I have been doing since I was a kid. I always grew up with the same mindset, same drive, and same work ethic. I feel like I am pretty confident going into year two, the same as year one," said Branch.

Robinson (6'6") and Lane (6'4") will create problems based on their size alone. The duo gives Moss two massive targets downfield that he can rely on to pull down 50/50 balls consistently.

Robinson is extremely physical and can bully smaller corners, while Lane is a very clean route runner for his size. They have great hands and high-point the ball. When receivers fail to create separation, and the quarterback has nowhere else to go with the ball, it has to be a great feeling knowing one of these guys is down there somewhere.

Both have already proven to have some chemistry with their new starting quarterback, as they each scored two touchdowns last year with Moss under center.

"I think it's just a matter of when we all get our opportunities when we all get to capitalize. That is when we will really show everybody. It is not about how good we think we can be. We are a group that likes to lead by actions rather than trying to talk a whole bunch," said Lane.

"It is more about realizing what the intergroup is capable of and trusting your brothers and realizing if I am not running a route or I am on the bench that the next guy is doing what he needs to be doing, and we have built that in this room. I think we excel the most in that," Lane continued.

Lemon is the wildcard in the room. With only six receptions as a freshman, he enters the year as the biggest question mark but could be the alpha by season's end. He has all the tools to be a phenomenal college player and possibly even at the next level. He was one of the top two-way recruits coming out of high school, thanks to his overall speed, quick twitch ability, and football instincts. The buzz around Lemon is starting to pick up, and people close to the team would not be surprised if he ended up being Moss's favorite target.

Expect a breakout year from these sophomore wide receivers. By midway through the season, we could be talking about them as the most dynamic group of playmakers in the country.