USC’s fall camp depth chart already has five true freshmen starting, but Madden Riordan has made sure he’s part of the conversation too.
The Trojans are leaning on Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Trent Mosley and tight end Mark Bowman on offense, with Luke Wafle and Elbert Hill IV starting on defense. Riordan hasn’t cracked the starting group, but he has worked his way onto the two-deep at both safety spots, and that caught Lincoln Riley’s attention.
“He's a unique freshman,” Riley began while addressing reporters over Zoom on Aug. 27.
“I mean, his mind for the game and feel...he and coach Gary Patterson have kind of been a match made in heaven. They see the game the same way and Madden is such a 'feel' player and a smart player.
So I think that's earned a lot of coach's trust from day one.”
Riley said Riordan’s climb “isn't a surprise” inside the program, pointing to how quickly the freshman adapted once he got on campus.
“How far along mentally he is, and his instincts are really high, [you] can compare him to a senior even though he's a freshman. His football IQ is off the charts,” Riley added.
Riordan’s rise stands out because he arrived as a three-star prospect, but that label hasn’t mattered much in camp. USC’s freshman group has already pushed into major roles, and Riordan has carved out his own lane by putting together the kind of summer that earns trust fast.
Kendell Hollowell of USC Trojans on SI summed up the message Riordan is sending after landing as a 155-pound three-star recruit.
“Madden Riordan was a 155-pound three-star recruit when he arrived at USC. All he’s done is put in work in the weight room and on the field.
Riordan is listed as the backup at both safety spots for the season opener. Don’t worry about your star rating or ranking, just go ball,” Hollowell shared on the social media website X, formerly known as Twitter, on Aug.
His background also helps explain why he’s already looking comfortable in this setting. Sierra Canyon High in Chatsworth has been moving up in the CIF Southern Section, and Riordan came out of that environment having faced high-level competition. That included matchups against future USC running back teammate Deshonne Redeaux at Oaks Christian, along with battles against Trinity League opponents.
All of that has helped Riordan look ready for a quick rise. If camp is any indication, USC may not have to wait long before he pushes even closer to a starting job on defense.
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