USC Football: Position Shift Leaves USC Insider Questioning Raleek Brown's Role

How will the former running back turned wide receiver fare in 2023?

The USC Trojans are gearing up for a 2023 season that promises continuity and change. Amidst familiar faces, fresh transfers are injecting newfound energy into both the offensive and defensive fronts. A pivotal transformation is underway with USC sophomore Raleek Brown, who's shifting gears from running back to wide receiver.

Mater Dei's own made his name as a running back, earning himself a four-star as a highly touted recruit. However, the Trojans have orchestrated a change of course. Previously tagged as a running back in spring, Brown now embarks on a different role. The transition, though, is no cakewalk.

USC insider Ryan Kartje opines that this shift won't be a walk in the park for Brown.

It’s hard to say where Brown stands in that transition process. He was still technically a running back in the spring, when coaches started experimenting with him on the perimeter. He’s now listed as a full-time receiver. But how coaches will use him is still anyone’s guess. Brown said during camp that he’s still expecting to take some handoffs as a running back, too.

As a receiver, it may take time to find his footing. The question is whether he’ll do it quickly enough to make the sort of mark he was expected to make this season. 

(via LA Times)

Head coach Lincoln Riley, too, acknowledges the challenge, emphasizing the roller coaster of highs and lows that come with such transitions.

“When you make a position change, no matter how talented you are — Raleek’s obviously a very talented player — there’s gonna be a transition period,” coach Lincoln Riley said. “This is not just go out there and run a route or two, right, and this is not just go out there and learn to block this one thing. Like, there’s a lot more to it.”

(via LA Times)

If anyone can make the change, it is Brown. He's gotten plenty of reps in fall camp and will make the best of it when his time comes.

It won't be long to see how he's faring with the transition, though, as the first game will kick off in less than six days. We can't wait to see our Trojans do their thing and Brown do his thing as a receiver.