Former USC offensive tackle E.J. Price talked about transferring from USC in an interview with 630-AM (WLAP) in Lexington, Ky.
“I definitely was extremely homesick,” Price said. “I loved it out here (at USC). They have a great team. I wish I could stay out here. It was just the distance; I’m only able to get home once a year. I’m a guy that needs that good Southern cooking. I need to be able to stop by people’s house and see everyone. I definitely just want to be closer to home. It was just a matter of that. Like I said, it’s a great team out here. Of course, it would have been a great opportunity, but I’m a guy that just needs to be a little closer to home.”
Obviously, a lot of the behind-the-scenes drama has gone unsaid. But the homesick story works, especially in the South. Full interview here.
Many here question Helton’s ability to coach, but none should question his ability to do right by this kid. Kept him in school so he’d qualify at a D1 school, when he could have chased him out to a lesser school like a Jc without the tutoring and other resources. Price’s words of thanks to the coach and his good words about the team speak volumes.
I remember kids from the Bay Area and Fresno who were seriously homesick their first year at SC and they could drive home in 7 hours if they wanted to. 3000 miles is tough.
Absolutely, homesickness can wreck a person if left to their own device. Crazy when you look at a big kid, hard to believe it affects them that way.
Dwayne Jarrett had the same issue being from the East Coast
He grew up and overcame it. I’m sure the NFL scouts want a guy like that (Price).
The young man explained himself and what happened. I wish him the best
I hope if he does to the NFL that he’s drafted by the Falcons, Saints, Dolphins, Bucs, or Panthers…. otherwise, he might have an issue.
The “homesickness story” doesn’t even remotely jibe with Price’s attempts to get other kids to leave the USC program and his unpopularity with team-mates.
Helton did a great tight wire act keeping the kid in school this entire year, yet apparently away from the football program at the same time.
Price, who had to come all the way from Georgia for all this, was never vetted properly when he was recruited in the first place. A great example of how important it is to get the right kids that fit into your program, which sheds a lot of light into the why the better programs overlook some prospects and go after others. At 6-6, 325, Price surely looked the part. But for USC’s purposes, he had a 10 cent head and is very lucky Helton showed him the grace he did.
Jack,
I know he hasn’t signed or even committed but we are very much in it for Marvin Bagley. He’ll be on campus Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
That would be great if USC could actually sign such a prospect, and certainly a first in the complete history of the school.
I don’t follow basketball recruiting, but since he’s a local guy, I’ll take your word for it. And at least we won’t have to worry about the “homesickness factor.” Hah!
It’s almost time for a decision so we’ll all be watching.
i hate to use the word “legitimize”, but bagley signing would legitimize the Trojan basketball program by leaps and bounds…
Puts they eyes of College Basketball on USC going forward. Enfield is on the track that passes up Floyd.
It sure would.
Stamps USC for SURE!
Sorry. But the kid is trying to BS everyone. He liked Los Angeles. From what I hear he loved Los Angeles but and continued to wait and see if his teammates would except him back. They continued with a big no.
Don’t think they would except him back. Not sure anyone would except him back, except for, well, never mind.
Mama’s boy.
A candidate for Last Chance U… Good Luck