The USC Trojans’ (4-5) first year in the Big Ten has been a dismal one. Lincoln Riley and his team felt the aftereffects of losing starman Caleb Williams in full swing. As they seek to put this year behind them and move towards 2025, they face tribulations in their path. According to one insider’s intel, a couple of their commits may be getting their heads swayed by another school.

Daune Morris and Jadon Perlotte are the two under duress. While both 4-star high schoolers have had suitors from across the country, each committed to spending their collegiate careers on the shores of the Pacific. However, this is now at risk with the Tennessee Vols (7-1) firmly in the picture. The knock coming out of Knoxville is loud, according to On3 mainstay Steve Wiltfong.

Wiltfong took to the On3 Recruits Youtube Channel to discuss the Vols’ future prospects on the recruiting front. Wiltfong asked about running back Morris’ recent visit to Neyland Stadium. He claims, “[Daune will] be back later this month. Tennessee is now considered the heavy favorite to flip him from USC. I think that ultimately he’ll be in the class. I like the way that that one is trending”. Morris currently plies his trade in Tennessee itself, at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro.

With regards to linebacker Perlotte, Wiltord said, “Tennessee had [Jadon Perlotte] on campus for the win over Kentucky. I believe they’ve had him on campus this fall. Look, he was a long-time, very early commit to Georgia”. Wiltord further expanded on why the pieces may fall for Tennessee come Signing Day. 

“Certainly, there was a time when Tennessee had the momentum. Then, USC comes in [and] they get him flipped. But he’s obviously still keeping Tennessee in play. He’s had a lot of love for them this entire process. Coach William Inge and company have done a really good job recruiting him. There’s an opportunity for him to play day one at Tennessee. I think that excites him as well. This one seems to be picking up towards Tennessee at the end of the cycle”. Playing from the onset is what may tip the balance, as it is apparent he may sit for a little while in Southern California despite their predicament.

Lincoln Riley’s woes on the west coast continue

The Trojans seem to not be able to catch a break. It’s as if the beaches of LA were not figuratively turning into quicksand for Lincoln Riley already. The team finds itself at risk of missing bowl eligibility. This is a real problem in Year 3 of Riley at the helm, who has never had a season under 6 wins since he became an HC.

In his previous job at the Oklahoma Sooners, Riley was the next big thing. Then 34-year-old Riley led the Sooners to 4 conf. Championships in 5 years. Riley was viewed as a “quarterback whisperer”. 4 of his quarterbacks are NFL starters today, and 3 won the Heisman, including Caleb, who he brought along with him to USC via the portal. His tenure at USC has not been as fruitful and is, in fact, dwindling, according to many. 

USC is on a much-welcomed bye this week. They then face Nebraska, UCLA and high-flying Notre Dame. One would expect Riley and co. to win the first two and salvage something out of a poor season. 6 wins and their highly touted commits staying solid- that’s all the Trojan fans can hope for now.