USC is off to a rocky start to its 2016 season (blowout losses to Alabama and Stanford) and things could be getting worse for the Trojans. According to a poster on Reddit and USC’s 247sports site, freshman offensive guard EJ Price may have punched head coach Clay Helton in the face. The Reddit poster also notes that a mass exodus may take place as star OL Chuma Edoga, recently demoted QB Max Browne and WR/CB Keyshawn Pie Young, are looking to leave Southern California and play elsewhere. Likewise, top juniors CB Adoree Jackson and WR JuJu Smith are expected to leave school early and enter the NFL Draft.
Helton will reportedly address the rumors sometime in the near future, but as of right now, Price, a top 100 2016 recruit, is still with the program.
Update: Price will transfer (likely to Georgia), according to Helton:
Helton said Price has personal issues back home and a lot of home sickness. Price will look for a school closer to home
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) September 21, 2016
Helton also denied the punch every happened:
Clay Helton said he heard today about EJ Price punching him in the face. Denies that happened: "I wouldn't be here today."
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) September 21, 2016