Rob Ryan Predicts 'Meteoric Rise' for Freshman USC LB

"Jadyn Walker is going to be tremendous," Ryan began. "He's the one. He's the best right now at getting into the block and getting off 'em. He's so physical, and he loves it. He loves football. He works every day. He's in our offices every day."

That when Ryan dropped his big prediction.

"This kid, 'meteoric rise,'" Ryan predicted. "He's going to be fantastic. He's got a linebacker body. He runs and hits. He does everything well, and he's going to jump off the charts."

Walker was again an afterthought in the LB room, as he sat throughout 2024. But Ryan's words point to Walker sharking his way up the two-deep in the Land of Troy.

The LB was a three-star find on the recruiting trail. Matt Entz rose as the primary recruiter for Walker. Entz, however, is now leading Fresno State as head coach.

Ryan appears to be instilling confidence in the standout from Portage Northern High. But he's not the only USC coach praising the work ethic of the young LB. Even head coach Lincoln Riley delivered some strong but kind words for Walker.

"One hundred percent [he 'll have a role]," Riley said via 247Sports. "Jadyn's been awesome. I think he's been one of the real bright spots of spring. It hasn't been totally surprising."

Riley included the reason why Walker sat: Dealing with a shoulder injury. He managed to play in the Las Vegas Bowl win over Texas A&M. Now Walker is expected to become unleashed under Ryan.