Locked On USC - Daily Podcast on USC Trojans Football & Basketball

USC was back on the practice field for day No. 5 of fall camp and it had a special feel to it with Coach Lincoln Riley watching the special team specialists. In the first segment I have all of the notes & observations from fall camp's 5th practice, including a special bonding moment between Coach Riley and myself. In the second segment, I explain how USC was left off the Coaches Preseason Poll tha...

USC has a bunch of freshmen who don't look or act their age and it's showing up on the practice field, including a few of the bigger guys on both sides of the ball. There is a lot of confidence with the 2025 recruiting class and I have an update on what I saw and heard at the team's first practice in pads. The Trojans added to their No.1 ranked recruiting class when Breck Kolojay joined his IMG te...

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava said the best way for him to move his game forward is to use a neutral mindset. But what does that mean? I'll tell you what it could mean. There are 3-4 positions that need to see a player emerge as a star. In the 2nd segment I'll tell you the positions and give you a handful of names to remember. This week's Friday Rant has to do with communication. It's hard enough...

Big Ten football shakeup: Oregon's debut season under the microscope. Will the Ducks soar or stumble in their new conference? Spencer McLaughlin and the Locked On crew dissect the top 100 college football players, questioning Big Ten representation and debating surprising inclusions. The hosts analyze Oregon's challenging 10.5-win total, breaking down key matchups against Penn State, USC, and Wash...

The Trojans opened fall camp with a mostly healthy roster, plus Lincoln Riley talked about another new addition to the coaching staff on Day 1. USC added Adrian Klemm as an analyst on the defensive side of the ball. In the first segment I have all the news, notes, and observations from the first day of fall camp. In the second segment, I have all the notes & quotes from new strength & conditioning...

"We're not arrogant, we're just that good. "At USC's media day I asked D'Anton Lynn if he preferred his defense to be known as a confident group or arrogant. Confidence and arrogance comes to down to perception and I make the argument that leans toward arrogate in the first segment. Fall camp opens today and there is a lot to keep an eye on throughout camp leading up to the season in 31 more days....

USC held Media Day ahead of fall camp opening and one thing is very clear; The Trojans defensive line room is massive and they are going to be a big problem in 2025. I had a chance to see them up close and speak with them and I haven't felt this good about USC's defensive line in a very long time! I have some good (recruiting) news and bad (roster)news, plus some of the best quotes from the player...

The Trojans open fall camp this week but before that happens there will be a meet-n-greet with the assistant coaches and selected players inside Heritage Hall. USC will host it's own media day two days ahead of fall camp opening, and I have all the details including who will be there as well as my opinion on why. There were not enough Champagne Sundays in 2024. I explain what those are during the...

It was Lincoln Riley's turn to talk at the B1G Conference, and he made it clear; it doesn't matter when the USC vs Notre Dame game is played. I have a recap of what Coach Riley talked about, as well as other notes, quotes, and observations from USC's Day in Las Vegas. I also have my Friday Rant about Las Vegas. #usc #uscfootball #uscbasketball #recruiting #chadbowden #transferportal, #lasvegasbowl...

When Scott Schrader from WeAreSC.com joins the show, there is a lot to talk about. On this episode we preview USC's media day and talk recruiting. #usc #uscfootball #uscbasketball #recruiting #chadbowden #transferportal, #lasvegasbowl #Trojans #ucla #bruins #notredamefightinirish #notrdamefootball #cfp #collegefootballplayoffs #michiganwolverines #michiganfootball #D'antonlynn #defense #baltimorer...

It's almost time for Lincoln Riley to talk at the B1G Conference Media Days, but so far it's been a lot of "big" talk about which conference is better, the B1G or the SEC. In the first segment I'll tell you what to anticipate when Coach Riley speaks this week, and which questions will be asked. The Trojans are going to have a very good defense in 2025, and the linebackers will play a major role. I...

Big Conference Media Days are this week and no one anticipates the Trojans doing much in 2025. The question is, does the media know more than USC fans? Is it due to question marks on offense, specifically at QB and the Line, or does it go deeper than that? The Trojans were picked to finish 9th in the B1G Conference preseason poll. I have the breakdown and my own thoughts on the voting. Last year M...

USC will be at the B1G Conference Media Days this week and there will be questions asked about what to expect in 2025 and will they play to the USC standard. There are just a couple of days left before the season kicks into gear with media days, and then fall camp the next week. I have some thoughts on what to anticipate, including questioning the standard USC fans should expect in year No. 4 with...

USC brought in a bunch of guys via the transfer portal during the offseason and if the Trojans want a chance to make the playoffs the transfers will have to payoff  on the field. The Trojans added 15 guys since December and each of them will play an integral role with USC's success in 2025. In the show's second segment I'm going to illustrate how much better the defensive line recruiting has been...

Big Ten takes a stand against SEC's 8-game schedule. Will this reshape college football's landscape? Spencer McLaughlin and the Locked On Big Ten Squad dissect the conference's bold move, demanding SEC alignment for playoff expansion. The hosts analyze Indiana's controversial non-conference schedule changes and debate Ohio State's projected 10.5-win total. Key discussions include the impact of roa...

Jayden Maiava is going into his second season with Lincoln Riley, however, that is n't enough to change the opinions of those who rank the best quarterbacks in the country. According to the online publication, The Athletic, USC has the 13th best QB in an 18-team league. That seems hard to believe when Lincoln Riley is the head coach of your program. #usc #uscfootball #uscbasketball #recruiting #ch...

USC regained the No.1 class ranking just one day after Georgia leap frogged the Trojans. I'll explain what happened and I have some Tom Tom Topui evaluation feedback. While the country was wondering when USC's top-ranked class would start to drop in the rankings, something else happened instead, and I have  the details behind the TomTom disrespect from Rivals. Jahkeem Stewart hasn't played a game...

The new Rivals Top 300 rankings came out and there are a lot of raised eyebrows. USC's class dropped to No.2 because certain players saw their ranking drop. I have all of the details with the new top 300 list and I also have my own opinion on the matter.  In the second segment, I talk about the 17 Trojans that landed in the top 300 list and if the rankings make any sense. There's a lot of disparit...

USC's class of 2026 is about to get some more good news when three commits will see there ranking get a bump strengthening the Trojans No.1 ranked class. Three members of the class are being recognized, but what if there should be more? I have the details in the first segment. If the Trojans defense is going to take another step forward with their progress from last year, the linebackers will have...

The Trojans could be without one of their most experienced offensive linemen unless the NCAA grants DJ Wingfield his eligibility waiver to play for USC in 2025. Offensive line coach Zach Hanson's room has plenty of depth on the interior, however, the next guys up are young with little game experience. I have all of the details in the show's first segment. USC is NIL strong in 2025 and it's only go...

Big Ten football shakeup: NIL chaos, PJ Fleck's extension, and Penn State's title hopes. Can the Nittany Lions go undefeated in 2023? Spencer McLaughlin and the Locked On Big Ten Squad dissect the August 1st NIL deadline's potential impact on college football. The hosts debate PJ Fleck's controversial contract extension at Minnesota, questioning if it rewards mediocrity or secures long-term stabil...

USC's No.1 ranked recruiting class isn't perfect, but it's close. With four spots left I look at each of the position groups to determine where the staff will look next. Where will Lincoln Riley and the staff look to add more depth during the season and who which position groups need more help? Lincoln Riley is getting some love from The Sporting News. Coach Riley is tabbed as the 4th best coach i...

USC's roster is loaded with talent, however, they're not receiving a lot of preseason love when it comes to filling out the All-Conference teams, especially at WR. Phil Steele's College Football magazine breaks down everything you need to know, but there is also a lot stuff that's hard to agree with. I talk about where USC is getting snubbed the most on this episode  of Locked On USC In the 3rd se...

Another recruiting crystal ball rolled into USC territory. The Trojans 2027 recruiting cycle might be getting a head start with QB prospect Peyton Houston. Once Boobie Feaster committed to the Trojans over the July 4th weekend, his good friend Peyton Houston has been giving hints that USC could be the place to be. I have al of the recruiting details including some quotes. The Trojans had a few gam...

USC added "the best wr in the 2025, 2026, or 2027" recruiting cycle when Ethan Boobie Feaster announced that he'll be a Trojan for the next 3 years on July 4th. Boobie said that Lincoln Riley and Dennis Simmons believe he's the best WR in the land coming out of high school. I have the notes and quotes from his announcement. Everyone knows USC is Tailback U. I put everything into context when talki...