USC broad receiver Zachariah Department was listed as a member of the particular groups unit in ESPN’s 2024 preseason All-America workforce.
ESPN’s Chris Low picked Department to be the tremendous workforce’s returner. The Trojan returned a kickoff and a punt for scores in his rookie season. Moreover, Department has three punt returns of 60 yards or longer for USC.
Department turned the primary Trojan to earn a first-team All-American honors as a real freshman. Regardless of coping with an damage in the midst of his first yr, Department returned 24 kickoffs for 442 yards. He additionally recorded 15 punt returns for 309 yards.
The Trojan averaged 18.4 yards on kick returns and 20.6 yards on punt returns. Department led the nation in each classes.
Department is making ready to determine himself as a star receiver for USC.
“I really feel like I simply bought to showcase my abilities at broad receiver. It was fairly cool to showcase my abilities on particular groups, however I really feel like that is simply an addition,” Department advised Adam Breneman on Subsequent Up.
Department was ESPN’s top-rated receiver prospect within the 2023 cycle.
The wideout established a reputation for himself in school soccer on Week 0. He returned a kickoff for a landing in USC’s season debut. Within the 56-28 victory over San Jose State, Department turned the primary Trojan to attain a landing on a kick return since 2019 in addition to the primary true freshman to take action since 2014.
Moreover, Department caught 31 passes for 320 yards and posted 70 yards on the bottom.
If Department can enhance on making an influence within the passing sport and growing the variety of catches this season, USC head coach Lincoln Riley may have one other offensive weapon in his arsenal.
The Trojans enter the Large Ten Convention in a number of weeks which boasts a number of elite soccer packages. Department shared the workforce’s progress at camp towards establishing a brand new id in a brand new convention.
“Everyone has to play for one another and that is the way you construct a successful program,” Department stated. “I really feel like we’re positively making the fitting steps towards that. I really feel like all of our guys are just about purchased in. I count on us to do some huge issues this yr. I really feel like the one individuals that may cease us is. ourselves. Positively excited to step into this new convention and make some noise early.”
