USC Football: WR Brenden Rice Weighs in on Teams' Talented Receiver Corps

Much of the hype going into the 2023 season was focused on quarterback Caleb Williams, for good reason. The junior won the Heisman last year and showed improvisation skills worthy of Patrick Mahomes comparisons.

So far, Williams has continued to prove that he is one of the best players in college football. But another position group has shown that they aren't messing around either.

The Trojan wide receiver room is loaded with talent. From returning players like Tahj Washington, Mario Williams and Brenden Rice to new stars like Dorian Singer, Duce Robinson and Zachariah Branch, Williams has a plethora of options when he drops back to pass.

Rice, son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, said that every practice is competitive, which he believes breeds talented wideouts.

"It all goes back to what you do in practice every single day," Rice said during the week leading up to the game against Nevada. "Day in and day out it's a battle, so you can't come out here and be complacent, you're going to have to work for everything, it's not given, it's earned."

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USC Athletics

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With five receivers already over the 50-yard mark after two games, the diverse range of options Williams has at his disposal has already proven to be incredibly effective.

Branch exploded onto the college football scene after an incredible debut, returning a kickoff for a touchdown in addition to catching a touchdown pass from Williams.

"Zach showed me he's really ready for the big stage. ... He performed like that in practice, he's a hard worker outside of the field in the classroom, anything I see him do, he gives 100%."

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USC Athletics

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Rice and Williams had plenty of opportunities to connect last season, and it is clear that the 6-foot-3 receiver will remain one of his quarterback's favorites. Rice caught a screen pass against SJSU late in the game, running it in for a touchdown.

"I was waiting for the ball all day, I was getting ready, I was like, man it's gonna come to me, just gotta wait for my opportunity, everybody's eating and luckily he just found me and I was able to score.

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USC Athletics

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