In a season marked by misfortunes for the USC Trojans, they’ve just suffered another significant setback.
Following the loss of Bear Alexander on the defensive front, who opted to take a redshirt year, the Trojans now must cope without starting EDGE rusher Anthony Lucas. Head coach Lincoln Riley announced that Lucas is out for the rest of the season due to a lower-body injury, having undergone a procedure earlier today. He did not provide specifics about the injury, only referring to it as a “lower extremity injury.”
USC’s Anthony Lucas is Done for the Season
It appears Lucas’s injury may have occurred during the last game; he limped off the field against Minnesota and did not return. On Penn State’s first offensive play, they attempted to target Lucas low, resulting in a hit that caused his knee to buckle.
Lucas was having an impressive season, recording 16 tackles—11 solo—and 12 pressures. With more time under coaches Nua and Henny in this system, he could have truly maximized his potential, but that will have to wait until next season.
This loss is significant for USC’s defense, but it also opens doors for younger players on the team.
With Lucas sidelined, Solomon Tuliaupupu and Sam Greene will likely see their playing time increase, alongside starters Jamil Muhammad and Braylan Shelby.
The standout opportunity, however, belongs to true freshman Kameryn Fountain. As one of the top recruits in the 2024 class, Fountain brings considerable talent and was spotted at practice today in his official number, indicating he has moved off the scout team and into the defensive rotation. He was always seen as the future star at the EDGE position, and now that future is arriving sooner than expected.
While the coaching staff will still aim to integrate him gradually, expect Fountain to receive more reps each week. The Trojans will be hopeful that he can contribute to their pass rush, an area that has struggled throughout the season.
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