USC TE Lake McRee gets proper Coliseum sendoff in final home game

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Entering the 2025 football season, one of USC’s longest-tenured players was redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee. Having been with the Trojans for five years, McRee has been around for Lincoln Riley’s entire tenure thus far, and is one of the last remaining holdovers to have played for previous head coach Clay Helton.

On Saturday night, McRee played his final game at the Coliseum. He went out on a high note, catching three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown. Following the game, McRee discussed his favorite memories from his time at USC, and what he has learned from Riley.

“A lot of moments to pick from,” McRee said. “Being here for five years, four with Coach Riley, and I can’t say enough good stuff about him. He’s helped me a lot on the field as much as off the field, so lots to choose from. But I’d probably just say in meetings, he’s really energetic about installing a cool play.

“After a long day of class and lift in the morning, you go into the staff meeting with Coach Riley, and he just kind of makes you have energy, and shows how excited he is about and how much football means to him. So I think that’s something that I’m going to miss for sure.”

McRee finishes the regular season with 450 yards. That is the most in a year by a USC tight end since Fred Davis’s Mackey Award-winning season in 2007.

McRee will not receive the same accolades as fellow pass catcher Makai Lemon. But he truly has been one of the most underrated players to come through USC in recent memory, and should receive a lot of appreciation from fans for his impact on the program.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football’s Lake McRee shined in final game at the Coliseum

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