LOS ANGELES — RBU, DBU, QBU, have all been up for debate since the inception of ‘(insert position) university’. Arguably, the least debatable ‘university’ position is Wide Receiver U. That designation belongs to the University of Southern California.
Most recently, it’s been Jordan Addison, a first-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2023 draft. But, scour the NFL, and you’ll find many Wide-outs who played for the Trojans. From #1’s like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake London, and Michael Pittman Jr., to veteran household names like Robert Woods, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Nelson Agholor, you will see a lot of Cardinal & Gold on NFL Sundays.
While USC may have the current title of “WRU,” these debates are always very “what have you done for me lately?” Good news for Trojan fans, the “lately” has all the potential to be very good.
Before we even list the top WR recruit, Zachariah Branch, a 5-star prospect out of the famed Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, four upper-classmen are in a position to ABSOLUTELY BALL for the Trojans this fall.
The Caleb Williams-Lincoln Riley marriage will be the front-page story throughout the season, but make no mistake; if it all rolls right for USC, the four guys we’re about to discuss will be the centerfold.
Let’s start with perhaps the most understated transfer we’ve seen in the wild-west era of the transfer portal era: Dorian Singer. Jordan Addison tossed up video game numbers at Pitt and was a (rightfully so) prized pick-up. But, dare I say it, Dorian Singer should garner similar excitement. Singer ate, with the exception of the Mississippi State and Utah matchups, every weekend, with considerably worse QB play at Arizona.
To quickly compare the two top-tier transfers: Addison averaged 14.8 yards per reception in the season prior to heading to USC, with Kenny Pickett as his QB. Addison can flat-out fly and makes plays after the catch, but Singer averaged 16.7 ypc; while going over 1k in the air. This kid can soar. My gut check, if healthy, Dorian Singer will have a top-10 receiving year in program history.
Now, Caleb Williams did an excellent job spreading the wealth last year. Incumbent WRs, Brenden Rice, Tahj Washington, and Mario Williams were all big-play players with excellent numbers last season. Looking at the talent of the aforementioned three players, expect each to continue their successes from last season.
Of the three, I’m most intrigued by Mario Williams, the other OU de facto from two years ago. While Brenden Rice’s last name makes him almost must-watch-tv, the sparks we saw from Mario Williams make me believe he can join Dorian Singer as two of the next great USC WRs.
All USC praise aside, the Ohio State Buckeyes have Garret Wilson, Chris Olave, and Terry McLaurin already off to scorching starts in their young careers. If Michael Thomas and Jameson Williams can play to their potential, the WRU becomes a serious conversation.
The 2023 play of Dorian Singer, Mario Williams, and Co. vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, could be the needle movers. While the Buckeye WRs have the upper hand in the national media, the Trojan faithful should feel great about perhaps the deepest WR room in the country, with two potential NFL-caliber studs.
