USC coach Lincoln Riley reveals plan to re-sign freshman linebacker Elijah Newby

By November, the USC Trojans will have to decide which players will burn their redshirts. The Trojans are 4-4 but are still looking to finish the season with a winning record and compete for a bowl title. The good news is that only one player is in danger of burning his red jersey with four games remaining this year.

USC coach Lincoln Riley talked about his red-hot plans for his team. Only one player in particular is planned, since he has already played four games. Freshman linebacker Elijah Newby is the only player whose red shirt could be burned. The rest of the prospects have only played one to three games this season. Riley expects them to be redshirted.

The goal is to redshirt Newby, but that will depend on how the season progresses over the final month. Riley spoke about his plans, clarifying that Newby is the only player on whom the coaching staff has made a decision.

“Newby is someone we’re going to try to redshirt,” Riley said. “We’ll see how the next few games go, but we’ll probably wait until the postseason to play him again unless something changes. We have a few guys who are playing one to three games right now and most of them will probably try to redshirt.”

Things could change in four games, but the plan is to keep Newby out for the rest of the season. Newby was primarily a special teams player. USC has dealt with numerous injuries this season that could force Newby onto the field, but that’s not the hope.

“Again, we’ll see how this plays out, and then we have a few that have already crossed the threshold,” Riley said. “I think Newby is the main guy right now playing some snaps for us, mostly on special teams, which we’ll try to hold on to.”

Newby’s play on special teams makes him easier to keep out this season. Until the Trojans deal with more injuries, Newby will keep his redshirt. The midfielder now has limited playing time, but next season he will be able to claim a more prominent role.

Having only one player to worry about makes it easier for the Trojans to move forward. With only four games left in the season, USC has a couple of players they can use without burning their redshirts or who have already played too many games for it to matter anymore. The USC Trojans can focus their efforts on ending the season on a high note.

The 4-4 USC Trojans will face the 4-4 Washington Huskies on November 2 at 4:30 pm PT. The game will be played at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.