USC's Lincoln Riley rebukes tampering allegations, takes suggestions 'personally'

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USC football coach Lincoln Riley offered an impassioned defense of his recruiting tactics following the suggestion from Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi that he may have tampered when wide receiver Jordan Addison transferred to the Trojans.

Addison, an All-American and Fred Biletnikoff Award winner in his sophomore season at Pittsburgh, transferred to USC in May. Pittsburgh suspected USC may have been tampering ahead of the star wide receiver’s transfer.

At Pac-12 media days last week, Riley defended himself.

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Jordan Addison, #3 of the Pittsburgh Panthers, makes a catch against the Michigan State Spartans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)

"When someone challenges that with no facts and only emotion, do you take it personally? Absolutely you do," Riley said, via the Los Angeles Times. "I understand this is an emotional time. It’s an emotional game with a lot of emotional people. We recruited Jordan just like we did every other transfer. Jordan got in the transfer portal. Jordan came on a visit to USC. Despite all the negative things that were put out magically by somebody, he’s a kid that’s all about ball."

Narduzzi called Riley to express his displeasure of the idea Addison would commit to the school when it was rumored as a potential destination, ESPN reported.

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Southern California coach Lincoln Riley speaks during the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college football media day Friday, July 29, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Addison visited USC and Texas