USC Trojans Live with Lincoln Riley is back. On the show, the head coach made his decision about the starting center and named the front runners for the left-side starters.
USC Trojans Starting Center
Jonah Monheim will now play at center. This marks the 4th of five positions for USC’s best offensive lineman. He was the left tackle last season, played right tackle in 2022, and filled in at right guard during the Holiday Bowl.
Who Are Potential Breakout USC Trojans During Spring Ball?
“Obviously Jonah coming back is a big deal,” Riley said, “He’s going to step inside and play center for us, which will be great for our program this year and great for his career in the long term as well. We thought that was a really mature decision on his part that will pay dividends down the line.”
Praise For Pergnon and Paige
While Riley didn’t name them starters, he pointed toward Elijah Paige and Emmanuel Pergnon as players heading in that direction.
“Pregnon has really come on,” Riley said. “He played his best game in the bowl game. He’s so much different than he was last year at this time. He’s made huge strides.”
USC Football Spring Camp: 5 Best Position Battles To Monitor
and
“Elijah came in in the Holiday Bowl and dominated,” Riley said. “He probably played the best game for us that a tackle played all year last year against a quality defensive line, so we are really pleased with his progress.”
As spring camp continues, more will be learned, but as of now Paige is expected to take reps at left tackle and Pergnon at left guard.
