USC football coach Lincoln Riley stated he would "certainly look at" the possibility of adding players who have signed with NFL teams back to the collegiate roster, following a court ruling that could grant them additional eligibility. The decision impacts former college players who have joined professional teams this summer, even as they continue to practice with their NFL clubs.
Riley emphasized that any potential addition would need to be in the best interest of the team, prioritizing the existing culture and roster. "Addition doesn’t always mean necessarily making you better," Riley said. "And we feel very strongly about the group that we’ve put together, we feel very strongly about the kind of culture and attitude and vibe of this team right now, and so first and foremost, we’re going to protect that."
While not directly involved in the lawsuit against the NCAA, the ruling could theoretically allow former USC players such as Detroit Lions rookie edge rusher Anthony Lucas and Pittsburgh Steelers rookie tight end Lake McRee to return. Both players signed as undrafted free agents, facing long odds to make their respective NFL rosters. However, their desire to return to USC remains uncertain.
The Trojans are preparing for their season opener against San Jose State on Aug. 29, a challenging time to integrate new players. Riley acknowledged the complex questions surrounding team dynamics, such as how current players might react to a roster spot being taken by someone who did not go through the full training camp process. He noted that general manager Chad Bowden and other staff members are continuously monitoring evolving rules.
"I think we’ve had to learn — I think we all have — there’s things within the rules of the game that if there’s a place to have an advantage for USC, we would always look at it — I mean, always," Riley stated. He expressed that this situation is not ideal for the overall good of college football. "For us, it’s something we’re looking at, it’s something we have looked at as some of these different judges’ decisions have transpired across the country. There’s never going to be a stone that’s not going to be uncovered, that’s not going to be looked at, discussed."