Confirming earlier speculation on the matter, USC head coach Ed Orgeron announced on Thursday that Trojans defensive end Morgan Breslin will have surgery on his hip, which will cost him the rest of his season.
Because Breslin is a senior, it probably means the end of his college career, though there’s a remote possibility he could play in a bowl game.
“In my 27 years of coaching, he is one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached,” said Orgeron. “He is a fantastic young man totally dedicated to football. I just loved his attitude. Total team player.”
Breslin burst onto the scene for USC last year, earning All-Pac-12 second-team honors while collecting 19.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, for which he was tied for second nationally. He played in just five games this season but had eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks before finally succumbing to the nagging pain in his hip.
Junior J.R. Tavai and freshman Jabari Ruffin have filled in quite well for Breslin while he’s been out.