“The worst coaching jobs I’ve ever seen.” That’s what Paul Finebaum had called Lincoln Riley’s run with the Trojans back on the SEC Network. Riley has had a rough couple of years. The last time the team managed to get anything done was in 2021. Since then, they have not made any significant mark in college football. Finebaum even went on to say back on July 22nd that Deion Sanders would be the perfect replacement for Riley if the Trojans ever decided on firing their HC. Deion brings the persona and the talent that the Trojans need.

Now, on ESPN First Take on August 13th, we find Finebaum ripping apart Riley yet again. “I’m so underwhelmed by what he has done there. He train wrecked it,” Finebaum said. The main grip that Finebaum has on Riley is the fact that the HC refused to change. While Caleb Williams was on the team, the Trojans had shown promise. After that, it was all downhill. However, the main surprise was when Finebaum said, “He (Riley) is an average coach. I think Sherrone Moore is capable of being a good coach at Michigan”. This is wild. More so because a few hours back on ESPN’s Get Up, while the discussion was going on regarding the AP preseason polls and the Wolverines being No.9 on the list, Finebaum said that the rating was overrated and that Michigan won’t even make the playoffs.

Come on, Paul, you cannot just contradict yourself like that. Regardless, coming back to Riley and his team. While they have lost Caleb Williams, Miller Moss is going to take up the helm at the camp. Receiver Jay Fair during an interview with 247Sports mentioned that Moss is a “great leader”. Even QB coach Luke Huard mentioned, “he (Moss) obviously has a really, really good knowledge of the system.” Moss led the team to a Holiday Bowl touchdown record with 6 recorded scores along with wrapping up 23 passes. He can be called the knight in shining armor in the Trojans’ skeleton squad. However, while the 2024 season looks grim for Riley, he still has managed to secure a big bag for the class of 2025.

4-star safety

Snatched right away from the Knights, Riley has managed to secure 4-star Kendarius Reddick for the Trojans. Andrew Ivins from 247Sports had mentioned that Reddick is a phenom when it comes down to making plays at catch point. He has amazing athletic capabilities that allow him to get up in the air easily to stop or disrupt any passes. Not only that, the kid has already recorded around 63 tackles in his junior year.

According to 247Sports, Reddick is considered the No.173 prospect nationally and is also designated as the No.14 safety in the class of 2025. On3 on the other hand ranks him as the No.12 safety in 2025 class and No.127 prospect nationally. While it still ain’t sure if the Trojans can make any name this season, 2025, on the other hand, is looking good.