ESPN: USC's 2023 wide receiver additions were 'most impressive' in college football
Following National Signing Day and the first transfer portal window closing, ESPN handed out some recruiting superlatives and USC cleaned up. For starters, The Trojans were named the team with the "most impressive WR haul."
ESPN's Tom VanHaaren wrote: "Lincoln Riley added the Biletnikoff Award winner in Jordan Addison via the transfer portal last year, so it shouldn't be a surprise to see the Trojans have the best haul of receivers in his first full recruiting cycle. He has two five-star recruits in Zachariah Branch, an explosive playmaker, and Makai Lemon, the No. 2 wideout in the class who is also teammates with five-star quarterback commit Malachi Nelson. The staff also has three-star Ja'Kobi Lane signed, giving Riley some big-time options for the future at receiver."
Additionally, ESPN's writers named Malachi Nelson the top ranked 2023 quarterback signee and USC's haul of defensive lineman as a "sleeper group."
MORE THOUGHTS ON BRANCH AND LEMON
After USC's first padded spring practice last week, Trojans wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons discussed the play of Branch and Lemon so far in their college careers.
Simmons said of Branch: "That dude from a talent standpoint is special...He's not just a talented kid, he's a confident kid. His confidence is driven by the fact that he works his butt off...Some of the things that he can do athletically are just incredible."
On Lemon Simmons added: "Makai is one of those kids that's a lot faster than what you initially think. Makai's just one of those tough, hard-nosed, old-fashioned football players. He's one of those dudes that ain't going to mind doing any of the dirty work."
