LenDale White Defends Lincoln Riley, Predicts USC Playoff Look

USC has by no means made the Faculty Soccer Playoff, but it surely’s a streak that’ll quickly come to a screeching halt, in line with a Trojans nice, who tells TMZ Sports activities Lincoln Riley‘s Southern California squad is gearing as much as kick ass this season!

We not too long ago bumped into SC legend LenDale White at LAX … and with the workforce coming off a disappointing 7-6 season, we requested half of Thunder and Lightning for his outlook on the 2025 marketing campaign.

“I really feel like my Trojans might be within the Faculty Soccer Playoffs. I imagine in Lincoln. I imagine we received some guys round right here that is gonna get the job finished. And I am excited to see what this yr brings for us!”

White clearly has little question SC has the proper coach, however not everybody agrees … and after three so-so seasons in L.A., Riley’s reportedly on the new seat. Everybody from followers to highschool brass desires a winner.

However LenDale says these expectations will not be completely honest given the present faculty soccer panorama.

“Whenever you’re a Trojan we’re alleged to win. We’re anticipated to win,” White mentioned. “I can perceive what it’s, however on this new day and age of the faculty athlete that may switch out at any time when they really feel prefer it, as quickly because it will get just a little onerous, they depart.”

“It isn’t like whenever you had the Pete Carroll‘s and even the [Nick] Saban‘s and stuff.”

In fact, faculty soccer was a lot totally different when these legendary coaches roamed the sidelines.

Gamers could not (legally) be paid, and in the event that they wished to switch, they have been nearly at all times required to take a seat out a season. That is not the case anymore.

“When you may’t hold these gamers or hold the blokes round on a regular basis as a result of they’re working away from competitors, I can not at all times put it on the coaches.”

White, an All-American, starred at SC between 2003 and 2005 when this system was arguably the most effective in all of faculty soccer, going 37-2, and profitable a Nationwide Championship.

That was earlier than the Faculty Soccer Playoff system was applied — and with the expanded format, 12 groups will finally vie for the natty. LenDale believes SC will occupy one of many spots.

The Trojans kick off their season in lower than per week after they play Missouri State on Saturday.

There’s extra with LenDale … who additionally provides us a evaluate of his backfield mate Reggie Bush‘s efficiency in “Comfortable Gilmore 2.”