The departure of Lincoln Riley to the University of Southern California had severe consequences for the Oklahoma Sooners, as various high ranked prospects de-committed shortly after the news broke. This included five star quarterback Malachi Nelson, a top three junior in the class of 2023. Others to go were linebacker Kobie McKinzie, wide receiver Brandon Inniss, and running back Treyaun Webb, per Tom VanHaaren of ESPN.
Riley was a vital member in the recruitment process at Oklahoma, so it makes sense as to why a myriad of the commits are taking a step back to reanalyze the school they choose to attend. His exit to USC means that the Sooners are losing out on a reliable coach who has brought years of success and strong development in players to the team.
The 38 year old is one of the most prominent coaches in college football. During his time with the Sooners, he garnered a record of 55-10, along with three College Football Playoff appearances and four Big 12 championships. He cultivated stars currently in the NFL like quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts.
High school junior quarterback Malachi Nelson yearned to go to Oklahoma due to the school's rich history, supportive fans, and Riley's ability to develop quarterbacks under his wing. Yet with the coaching situation with the Sooners in question, the highly ranked star will take time to decide if this is the right place for him.
Lincoln Riley's arrival to the Trojans could be developmental for California college football. USC struggled to bring in recruits from California high schools, with only 30 of the 143 ESPN 300 recruits from California signing with them. With the former Oklahoma coach taking control, the Trojans could be a top team in the nation for years to come.
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