Nelson Agholor is USC’s next great wide receiver
The recent model for star USC wide receivers is to flash glimpses of potential as a freshman and burst onto the scene as a sophomore. Current Buffalo Bill Robert Woods did it first, with junior Marqise Lee following in his footsteps last season by winning the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s best wideout.
Catching up to ‘Qise · USC sophomore wide receiver Nelson Agholor has one more receiving touchdown (2) this year than junior Marqise Lee. – Ralf Cheung | Daily Trojan
After a freshman season highlighted by an explosive 6-catch, 162-yard game against Oregon last year, sophomore wide receiver Nelson Agholor seemed primed for a breakout 2013 campaign entering the year.
Prior to the Arizona game, however, Agholor’s statistical output this season just wasn’t indicative of a dominant sophomore season. Despite demonstrating immense talent both as a receiver and a blocker, Agholor had yet to record more than four receptions or 64 receiving yards.
But less than three minutes into last week’s battle against Arizona, that latter mark was nearly eclipsed on one play.
Agholor sped past the Arizona secondary, caught a perfect deep ball from redshirt sophomore quarterback Cody Kessler and ran into the end zone to complete a stunning one-play, 62-yard drive.
“I thought Cody threw a great ball and put a lot of trust in me to go get under it, and I think I made the play I needed to make,” Agholor said.
The first catch was just a taste of what was to come later. Kessler and Agholor continued to connect throughout the night as Agholor totaled a career-high seven receptions for 161 yards. The agile receiver carved up the Wildcats in a variety of different ways, showcasing his versatility as a precise route runner and deep threat. Whether it was catching the ball in stride across the middle of the field or making tough catches near the boundaries, Agholor’s wide array of skills was on display.
The sophomore standout’s performance came at an opportune time for the Trojans, a team beleaguered by injuries, specifically paper-thin at the wide receiver position. With only two scholarship receivers suiting up last Thursday, Agholor’s clutch game showed the wideout’s knack for coming up big when it counts.
He wasn’t the only Trojan player thrust into a bigger role than usual. USC’s new playcaller, offensive coordinator Clay Helton, put a greater emphasis on spreading the ball around. Five running backs had multiple carries, and Kessler hit six different targets throughout the game, with Agholor accounting for more than half of the reception yardage.
“Someone on our team had to make plays,” Agholor said. “I’m just very happy Coach [Helton] put the ball in my hands to make some plays. And he put the ball in a lot of guys’ hands to make plays, and we did.”
As the Trojans look forward to Notre Dame on Saturday, Agholor’s emergence as a dependable No. 1 option while Lee is sidelined has eased some of the concerns surrounding the viability of the Trojan offense without its star receiver. You can bet the Fighting Irish are aware of Agholor’s breakout performance, and the Notre Dame defense will be sure to key in on the sophomore come Saturday.
The Trojan offense might be buoyed by the possible return of Lee — after practice on Tuesday, Lee said he was “coming around pretty good,” and that, “by Saturday, [he] thinks [he’ll] be 100 percent.”
If Lee is healthy enough to play Saturday, Agholor will be able to exploit favorable one-on-one matchups and build on his game against the Wildcats. Another solid outing against Notre Dame could propel Agholor towards a tremendous second half of the season, putting him back on track in terms of following the trajectory of Woods and Lee — not to mention restoring hope for a successful USC season.
But interim head coach Ed Orgeron doesn’t want the team to put too much stock in the Notre Dame game.
“I don’t want to make it bigger than life,” Orgeron said. “This is game two of our season together.”
Orgeron’s vision has many of the Trojans excited, including Agholor.
“I’m looking to take advantage of all the opportunities that are given to us,” Agholor said when talking about the remainder of the season. “We are all given many opportunities, and if we take advantage of it, I think we will be in good shape.”
If Arizona was any indication, giving Agholor opportunities is a recipe for success. If that strategy continues against Notre Dame and beyond, the Trojan offense looks to be in good hands.