USC Tight End Lake McRee Reflects on Trojan Career at NFL Combine

McRee was one of the last remaining players from the Clay Helton era at USC.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 6:47am

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At the 2026 NFL Combine, USC tight end Lake McRee reflected on his five-year career with the Trojans, noting his loyalty to the program and desire to never leave despite coaching changes. McRee was one of the last players remaining from the Clay Helton era before Lincoln Riley took over as head coach.

Why it matters

McRee's comments provide insight into the transition period at USC, as the program moved from Helton's leadership to Riley's. His decision to stay with the Trojans through the coaching change speaks to his commitment to the university and the team.

The details

In his press conference at the NFL Combine, McRee emphasized that loyalty was important to him and he never wanted to leave USC, even as the program went through a coaching change from Clay Helton to Lincoln Riley. McRee was one of the last remaining players from the Helton era, having arrived at USC in 2021.

  • McRee arrived at USC in 2021.
  • The 2026 NFL Combine kicked off on Thursday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Lake McRee

A tight end who played five seasons at USC, including during the transition from head coach Clay Helton to Lincoln Riley.

Lincoln Riley

The current head coach of the USC football team, who took over the program from Clay Helton.

Clay Helton

The former head coach of the USC football team, who was replaced by Lincoln Riley.

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What they’re saying

“Loyalty is a big thing to me. I never wanted to leave USC. It was never a thought in my head. That's why I was there five years ago.”

— Lake McRee

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Combine continues on Saturday, February 29, 2026, with wide receivers among the position groups in action. All eyes will be on USC's Makai Lemon as he looks to establish himself as the top pass catcher in the draft.

The takeaway

McRee's comments highlight the importance of loyalty and commitment to a university, even as a program goes through significant changes. His decision to stay with USC through the coaching transition from Helton to Riley speaks to his character and dedication to the Trojan football team.