USC’s fall camp started on a high note with plenty of positive updates, but that changed on Friday. Head coach Lincoln Riley revealed that redshirt freshman Maliki Crawford will be out for the season due to an injury sustained during practice a few days ago. This is particularly disappointing for Crawford, who had been making significant strides over the offseason.
Riley expressed sympathy for Crawford, saying, “Obviously, hate that for him. But we’ll get him rehabbed, get him fixed up, and get him back, obviously, next season.”
Crawford, a 4-star recruit from the 2023 class, was ranked as the No. 171 overall player and No. 17 cornerback by 247Sports.com. The Oxnard, California native was USC’s top-ranked cornerback recruit of 2023 but redshirted last season and did not see game action.
Expected to contribute as a backup this fall and secure a spot in the two-deep rotation, Crawford’s absence is a setback. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 180 pounds, his size had generated excitement among USC fans, who were eager to see what he could become.
On a positive note, Riley confirmed that the rest of the team is in good health with no serious injuries. Although some players have missed practices due to minor issues, there are no major injuries to worry about.
Crawford had shown notable improvement during the offseason and the spring game, making his loss particularly felt for a program in need of defensive depth. Despite this, Crawford was not expected to start this season, and USC still has several cornerback options available.
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