USC football HC Lincoln Riley looking to get best out of Jamaal Jarrett

Entering a Power 5 Division I program like USC football can be a tremendous undertaking. For athletes who have shined throughout their careers, it can be too much of an adjustment at times. This can happen for a number of reasons. With the transfer portal, if an initial fit doesn't work, there is always a chance to find what can end up working out as a better situation for an athlete.

Programs have the ability to add talent every year. Finding someone hungry and wanting to prove themselves after a letdown can be the ideal person to fill the roster void. A combination of that nature can often prove to be a lethal combination that works for the player and team.

Recapping practice and spring camp progress with reporters, coach Lincoln Riley spoke on Jamaal Jarrett. He's transferred to the Trojans, having come from the Georgia Bulldogs. According to the HC, the DT is making the most of his new opportunity on the West Coast.

The change of scenery can often benefit players and provide something of a boost. So far for Jarrett, this is looking to be the case, at least based on what coach Riley is saying. Coming in, his priority for the defensive tackle was getting him in shape and on weight. Allowing the redshirt sophomore to free himself up and unlock his biggest potential allows him to have the best chance of impacting the team.

Continued improvement for USC football DT

Through the finishing stages of spring camp, everything looks on track in that regard, with the head coach even joking about potentially naming a piece of workout equipment after him. His next comments, though, were more telling.

While complimenting the newcomers' progress, coach Riley elaborated:

"Big guy like that, you don't think should move the way he does. He's got some real ability, and he's really starting to learn how to play the game."

For a lot of the negatives of the current transfer portal guidelines that are currently in place, something like this shows the positive side of what's possible in today's CFB. It didn't work out for Jarrett at UGA for whatever reason. That's not relevant for today.

Right now, the defensive player is doing what he needs to be doing, and the staff is expressing optimism that he can continue to work on his game and be a force. Coach Riley believes in Jarrett's abilities. Come the fall, the DT will look to reward his coach's trust by making big-time plays for USC football.