USC has always been known for having a stable of running backs, with Marcus Allen, Mike Garrett, and OJ Simpson to name a few. However, over the last few years, especially during the beginning of the “Lane Kiffin Era,” the Trojan’s strength has been solidly resting on the shoulders of their wide receivers.
Last year, sophomore Robert Woods, and freshman Marqise Lee finished 13th and 29th in the NCAA with 2,435 receiving yards and 26 touchdown receptions between them. Going into this season with such “hype,” they may be considered the best receiver tandem in all of college football.
This year, they will have some help with the emergence of the former 5 star recruit, #1 overall wide receiver prospect in the 2011 class, George Farmer. He was moved back to wide receiver after playing his freshman year as the 3rd string running back and will exponentially help USC spread the field.
Ironically, USC’s top 3 receivers—Woods, Lee, and Farmer—went to the same high school, and were all teammates at one time at Junípero Serra High School in Gardena, California.
While Woods, coming off of ankle surgery in the offseason has yet to return to practice, Farmer, though recently sidelined by a hamstring pull for a few days, was dubbed the MVP of the first day of practice by head coach Lane Kiffin.
“As far as the MVP of the day, it was probably George Farmer,” Kiffin said after the first day of spring practice, “to see him healthy out here, and the way that he caught the ball today, and see his confidence, is very different than last time we were with him.”
In typical one-upmanship, Marqise Lee was named MVP of practice on day two. Kiffin elaborated on his praise for Lee, saying, “He makes a couple of [spectacular catches] a day,” Kiffin said. “He’s a unique player, a great player.”
For the three Cavaliers from Serra High School, who were recruited from a whopping 11 miles away from campus, USC has been a place to shine, and this year the entire country will watch them try and win together.
The “Tailback U” persona of the University of Southern California is now relegated to the back page as the year of the “Aerial Assault” begins. Not to mention, with the decent quarterback they have throwing to them, finding their way to a reception should not be too hard.
2 Comments on "3 Kids from Serra: Woods, Lee, and Farmer Find Success at USC"
Very nice article! Hope we hear more from Mr Biles this season-
Tom T
I don’t generally read sports news, but this was so well written and interesting that I intend to check in frequently to see what Jonathan Biles has to say.