Coach Lincoln Riley notes progress from USC football WR Ja'Kobi Lane

A lot can be made of 'the diva wide receiver' mentality. USC football WR Ja'Kobi Lane has seen the spotlight as a Trojan. This has come in the form of those praising his spectacular plays and moments in which his emotions have bubbled up to the surface. For head coach Lincoln Riley, finding ways to bottle the energy into positive productivity for the team is the priority.

It can be a delicate balance at times. On the one hand, in order to be great and even be a wideout at USC requires an enormous amount of self-confidence to even step foot on the field at the Coliseum. Avoiding anything going over the top and becoming a distraction is also important. Nothing can be absolute, particularly in a team sport that requires a lot of moving pieces to cooperatively work together.

While speaking with reporters following Thursday's practice, coach Riley gave an overview of the junior's progress through spring camp so far. While directly addressing the potential concerns of the receiver, as shared by LA Times writer Ryan Kartje on X, he said:

"He's taking his craft more seriously. He's taking the leadership more seriously. Haven't had some of the emotional ups and downs that at times have plagued him."

These should be highly encouraging words about the Trojans' WR. He's amazed so far in March and April, and it's known how important he will be to the offense come the fall. His ability is unquestioned. Coach Riley is focusing on and monitoring the intrapersonal aspects seems to be the main point of emphasis for the time being.

Focusing on the present for USC football

So far so good from Lane, and everyone will hope that any past incidents will soon be left behind for good. During the 2025 season, he'll have a large role in the offense. He's an explosive athlete and does an excellent job of making contested catches. USC football could have someone earning a lot of individual accolades in short order. In order for that and team success to happen, coach Riley will first make sure the right foundation is set throughout his side.