With games having more meaning as Big Ten play starts, the USC Trojans' freshmen are not playing as much. Still, the big focal points of this football team this year are freshmen. In Week 3, most of the key freshmen for the Trojans delivered at Rutgers.
Here is my breakdown of how each of the true freshmen for the Trojans fared in Week 3:
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, receiver
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is no longer looked at as a freshman. This guy is a bona fide playmaker at receiver. He has taken the mantle of the great Trojans receivers last season. He has shown that if Jayden Maiava throws it in his direction, he is going to catch it. Instead of Terrell Anderson and Tanook Hines rising to become the top target for the Trojans, it is Dixon-Wyatt who picked up the slack the most.
Tron Baker, receiver
Tron Baker,
as of late, has not really gotten too much of an opportunity to stay involved in the Trojans' offense. Tron Baker finished the game against Rutgers with 1 catch for 12 yards. He is a guy who can step up if his number is called, but it is hard for Baker now that the two guys in the offense have revealed themselves.
Ethan Feaster, receiver
Ethan Feaster remains a non-factor in the Trojans' offense. He has yet to have a game where he has more than 1 catch. Feaster's ability will be valuable when it is his time, but it looks like his time will not be this season.
Mark Bowman, tight end
Mark Bowman did not have a performance like his big game last week, but he still remained a part of the Trojans' offensive success. He had 3 catches for 32 yards. It is hard to watch him play and not think about Brock Bowers. Bowman will be someone that Maiava needs to step up in the big Big Ten games this season. He will need to perform more like he did against Louisiana versus a team like Oregon.
Luke Wafle, defensive end
Just like Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Wafle is no longer viewed just as a freshman. He is one of the best players on the Trojans. He will be a player to watch against Oregon and the other Big Ten foes. Wafle may not have the dominant sack production many would want him to, but he is a player whose presence is felt every drive. He can pressure the quarterback, and he is exactly what the Trojans need to lessen teams' production on the ground. He has surpassed what this team wanted him to be as a freshman.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football freshmen tracker: How recruiting class fared vs Rutgers
