USC Trojans Offensive Line Solidifying Early In Spring Camp Sessions

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

NCAA Football: USC Trojans at California
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (79) during the second quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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“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.”

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“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.

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Photo Credit: Aldipix | Under Creative Commons License
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Photo Credit: Aldipix | Under Creative Commons License