USC's Lincoln Riley Embraces Michigan's Development Model for Long-term Success

Aiming to reduce reliance on the transfer portal, USC's head coach Lincoln Riley seeks to emulate Michigan's successful player development strategy.

USC head coach Lincoln Riley plans to follow Michigan's model of building a football program by focusing more on developing high school recruits.
Riley's strategy aims to make USC less dependent on the transfer portal, a shift from the team's recent heavy reliance on transfer additions.
Despite the success with transfer players, USC faced challenges, particularly on defense, ranking low nationally in yards and points allowed per game.
Riley acknowledges the need for patience in building a title contender through development, citing Michigan's success as a blueprint.
The upcoming season will be a litmus test for USC's strategic overhaul, with a key game against Michigan in September serving as a significant benchmark.