USC 2020 Signing Day with Clay Helton

On the USC edition of the 2020 Inside Pac-12 Football Signing Day Special, Pac-12 Networks’ Mike Yam & Yogi Roth interview USC head coach Clay Helton on the highlights of the Trojans recruiting class.

Episode Transcript

(00:10):
Fighting on with USC on national Sideto day. Welcome to side our San
Francisco studios. Mike Am and YogiRoth with you. The focus is Strojan
Squatta will here from Clay Hilton injust a moment here. Small class and
yet you feel like they've addressed alot of needs. Yeah, it's not
the sexiest of classes. It's notlike they run in five wide receivers that
are going to light up you know, the television screen. But where do

(00:31):
you win games. You win gamesin the trenches, and you have to
identify guys that can develop in thetrench. I thought they did a great
job of that in the December class. When you look at their roster overall,
position by position, they needed tofill up the offense and defensive lines,
and they finished with a tight endthat can flex out on this a
right offense and Jack Garan do alot of special things plus two burner wide
receivers that we're gonna get to withCoach Helton. So not like the headliner

(00:54):
class, but what wins games.Guys that can fight and compete and strive
and strain. They'll do that forGlat. You mentioned some of those skill
position spots. I got some prettygood guys also returning football field. It's
not like there's a desperate need forsome wide receivers. Clay Helton, who
was the head coach of the Trojans, he joins us right now. Coach,
congratulations on the class. I dowant to start on the defensive side,
though, because you did make ahire at the defensive coordinator. Spot

(01:15):
Ty Orlando takes over and just explainto me why he is the perfect fit
for this team's defense. Yeah.I love Todd's aggressive style of defense.
And three of the most frustrating daysI've ever had in my life is going
up against coach Orlando once said UtahState twice at Texas. I just love
the energy and juice that he brings, and just the care and concerns to

(01:37):
the kids. He's already hit theground running. He's in that weight room
every day with these kids, putit in this defense, and it's just
great having to him here. There'sa great, great energy about him and
what he's doing with our defensive players. You know you've heard that come out,
whether it was players or just kindof hearing the rumblings around Los Angeles
about the impact he's already had earlyon in weight room. I'm curious for

(02:00):
you as a head coach. Youknow, you go back to day one
as a head coach and now yourstaff is dramatically different. How is that
for you? Yeah, you know, and you've been at USC, Yogi,
you know, it's it's an eliteschool and and there are times that
you do have transition. And youknow, we've been fortunate to bring in
Graham Harrold, who I think isone of the best offensive coordinators in the

(02:22):
country. Now to bring in coachOrlando, who I believe is you know,
as aggressive as anybody there is outthere calling defensive calls. It's a
great time w at USC. There'sa great energy about it, and we're
excited here. Our players are excited. You can feel the energy and the
buzz, not only like you said, around the city, but in our
own building. And we're excited tohave those two guys here. Coach,

(02:46):
we started off the show and Yogimade reference to winning games in the trenches.
I always think about the skill positionplayers, and it's abundantly clear you
have some studs that are returning there. But in terms of the big bodies,
this was not a big class.Who are some of those differences that
you did sign that you know aren'tgoing to be in the end zone catching
touchdowns. Yeah, you know,it is not a big class. We

(03:07):
only had seven graduating seniors scholarship playersoff last year's team. Plus we red
shirted seventeen young men off this lastyear's team, so we just haven't had
a ton of attrition. But westarted write with the big men. We
signed nine offensive lineman and defensive linemenin this class. And you look at
you look at guys like Jamar Sakona, who is a force of nature inside

(03:29):
that interior line. You look atguys like Jonah Monheim, Courtland Ford,
Casey Collier, Andre's do work.Just list goes on and on. You
know, you're talking about six five, six, six, three hundred pound
bodies that are that just create havocboth offensive line and defensive line. Why
so you win championships with big men? You know in this class that was

(03:51):
a small class. We invested ninebodies to our front. Talking about a
big man, jack Yarry, bigman of the last name in the history
there, let alone his sheer sizeand ability. How did you finish this
one off? And what's it liketo sign a legacy. Yeah, you
know, you signed nine big menand then you want to just get one
more in there. And there's there'sa six foot six plus tight end that

(04:14):
runs like a deer down the middleof the field. And he was just
perfect for this offense because we wantthe ability to be able to flex a
tight end down and then attach himto the line of scrimmage and had that
athleticism. You know, that's whatpro football is going. You see the
guys like Kelsey for the Chiefs thathad that ability, and here comes Jack
Arry. To be able to finishoff a great class of big men,
To be able to garner a sixfoot sixth athletic tight end like him that

(04:39):
can push the ball vertically down thefield is special. I don't know how
any nickel defender is going to coverthat man when he's lining up in the
slot. But I don't know howany corner is going to be able to
run with Gary Bryant Junior. Hedidn't announce until an All Star Games,
so we didn't talk about him.Is he as big of a difference maker
as he seems on tape? Oh, there's fast and then there's Gary.

(05:00):
Gary. Gary is ultra fast andI tell you he's a one on one
I think matchup nightmare just because ofhis speed, but also he brings kick
return availability, which you know,we look forward to being able to use
him in that aspect too, Soto be able to get a Josh Jackson
early and then put Gary Bryant ontop of it. You know, we

(05:21):
lost to Michael Pittman, who createdgreat down the field explosiveness. Gary and
Josh spring that to the table.So two young, really talented wideouts that
were fortunate to have coach at thequarterbacks about a year ago. Kind of
the walking wounded, right, Imean JC goes down early. Keatan was
banged up and in and out,and when he was out there obviously was

(05:42):
was really strong for you having thatfink there from a competition standpoint, and
the health that's a lot of it'sgoing to circle around the health of j
T Daniels. Where is he inhis recovery. Yeah, JT's doing really
good. You know, we anticipatehim having the availability to be able to
throw routes on air one one sevenon sevens comes spring, and then having
the opportunity to compete in the fall. I mean, we're in a really

(06:05):
great situation at that position. You'retalking about having a JT. Daniels at
Keaton Slovis and Matt think. Ithink anybody in the world would want that
situation, and so we're fortunate.And you know, one thing I learned
about that at that position. Youknow, we put them all in a
very competitive ring last year and allof those kids got better. And it's
one of the reasons that when wehad some injuries that all of a sudden

(06:27):
you look up and a Matt thinggoes out and wins a Utah game and
has a huge drive force a verseArizona State. You look at JT.
Daniels in that opening ball. Everythinghad two hundred and seventy plus yards of
offense passing in that first half.And then obviously we know what Keaton did.
So you know, competition allows thecream to rise to the top.
But we want everybody in that roomto grow, and that's what competition does.

(06:50):
Speaking at competition, this defensive front, you're dark down in the middle
of the defense. It's as goodas I've seen in a long time.
There. Jay returning not going tothe National Football League, how do you
feel about the veteran element of themiddle of your defense. Yeah, you
know, when you only lose sevenmen total on the team scholarship wise,
it really only lose two defenders ondefense. You know, we lose Christian

(07:14):
Rector and John Houston. The middleof that defense with J two, Felly,
Brandon Peely, Marlon Tuipolo too,you know, and then you look
at that middle with EA and thosebackers Mercy. It's something that you wait
for guys to grow up, andhere they are. I mean, they're
full grown horses now and we lovewatching them play and we're very thankful.

(07:34):
I thought Jay made a great decisionin coming back. He's got a chance
to be one of the better defensivetackles not only in our conference but in
college football. And I think he'sgoing to do great things going into his
fourth year. Because I want toflip it back to the air raid.
He reference Graham Harrold and keeping himthere. Everybody is always you leading the
charge. Wanted to see what theair could do at a place like USC

(07:56):
with the athletes. But what canI do in year two with the repertence
among those athletes. Yeah, youknow, there's there's no confusion, there's
no hesitation, and you know,That was the biggest thing that I saw
going into year one, and washow easy the system it was for young
kids to pick up. For freshmenthat just signed come in and make a
huge difference. I mean, youlook at a Drake London who walked into

(08:18):
this offense and really thrived in it. And you know, so Graham has
already told me, he said,Coach, wait till the year two.
You know, that's the biggest jumpthat happens is from year one to year
two. And you know, Ireally thought we had it going down the
stretch offensively in the last six gameswhere the light had clicked on. Guys
understood that what the tempo needed tobe. Quarterbacks and receivers were on the

(08:41):
same page. We had the runninggame going with that host of backs that
we had. You know, soI really am looking forward to year two
in the offense. It was sofun last year, most fun I've ever
had in my career. I can'twait for the next year. Coach.
Before I let you get going,you'll get reminded me that it became a
thing on signing day and in DecemberI actually did and ask you. I
think it was just because of atime deal and we are short in time.

(09:03):
But I would be upset with myselfif I didn't ask the coaching world.
It's competitive, it's a grind,it's difficult, and it takes a
lot out on the home front.And Sidney Day usually ends with Date Night,
So National Sidney Day. What's instore on Date Night tonight? Well,
I'll tell you what. I havea ninety three year old grandmother that
I haven't got to hug her neckin a year or so I'm gonna fly

(09:26):
to I'm gonna fly to Miami,Florida tomorrow and have the chance to go
hug my grandmother's neck and see mymom and dad. So May and Miss
Anam's are headed to go see family. Okay, So that's a win and
the beauty of it is and Ithink there's two ways of looking at it.
You're heading to Miami post super Bowl, which I think I would argue
is probably something tells me you'll catchthe talent a couple of those parties after

(09:48):
hanging out with grandma. Anyway,just saying coach safe travels across the country,
looking forward to seeing you guys onthe football field. Real sin sounds
great fight on Okay, I'm notgonna lie, not be that. I
thought on date night that I wasgoing to get kind of date night though,
but it did fly to see Grandmakidding me of course I would,
but well done once again, notshock Cano and Clay the way that we

(10:09):
do that that would be on tapfor him. But explain this to me,
because I think the last thing thatyou brought up from a Graham Harrald
perspective is a really stute observation.How much better this team can get?
Biggest question is and he did agreat job on the USC higher now at
the defensive spot, there's a newDC in town. How much pressure he
is there on that side of thefootball to really ball out this year?

(10:30):
It was pressure when you're at SCwhen you walk in the door, I
mean, bottom line, And Ithink one thing Clay Helton has embraced that
pressure to a large degree as wellas anybody. And it's been as hot
on him as anybody when you lookat just the history of recent USC football,
and he's diffused it. He's nevermade it about him. He's never
made it about his career. He'smade it about let's talk about the team.

(10:52):
And I think that's allowed the kidsto play free and young men to
play free within his team, andthey've got a big opportunity. I mean,
there's so much talk around this programaround what they didn't do right,
who they don't have. Well,when you turn the corner and you say,
you know what, let's just pumpthe brakes for a minute, because
the narrative around this team, Imean, Clay Howell's reportedly let go,
let's just be honest about that,does not help your recruiting class. I

(11:13):
think they put together really impressive class, and you take all things into consideration,
specifically roster needs, and now lookat who they have going down every
position group. My quarterback, youcould argue Keenslovas is as good as anybody
in this conference or as a pastorin the country receiving corps. Number one,
offensive line is top third. Defensivefront to me is the best linebackers
I'd argue is in the top oneor two. Secondary have the ability,

(11:37):
and they got to hire a dBcoach and a D line coach, So
I'm okay, I think they canwin the South next year. I'd pick
them today. That's why it depicts. So there's a lot going on.
There's a pressure and everybody. Butlet's not forget how talented this team is
when they're healthy, and let's notforget how banged up they were a year
ago. So a SC fans,I would urge you stop complaining and us

(12:00):
support your program moving forward and let'ssee what happens. And the opener against
Alabama, Yeah, I think it'sa great call you And I don't know
if he shares some of these documents, but last time I was looking at
one of your research docs where youwere going through every single team, and
it's eye opening when you look atrosters side by side by side, and
you go down the line and wewere on the phone them and you're going,
they got the loaded real guys,and guys who can compete, and

(12:22):
guys who have performed, especially onthe offensive side for sure, And now
you just got to assume, Hey, if Orlando can get this done on
the defensive side, you're right,maybe they are the front runner in that
division. Yeah. If they canbe mature, that's their biggest key.
They can mature up and not makeit about themselves and when they knock a
ball down, give themselves a chefsbump, make it about the team,
and they're this close they can turnit. I think with this new staff

(12:43):
they got a chance to win thesell say this, with all the noise
that they had last season, thatthey still played hard down the stretch.
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