USC Volleyball 2026: Big Ten Media Day Highlights

Anthony discussed his offseason focus, explaining that the main thing he wanted to accomplish was fully mastering the offense. "I came in in January, kind of had good control of it, but I think in the summer, I got really good control of it and just really know what I'm doing now." When asked how he learns a new offense and what makes things click, he said he watches a lot of tape but emphasized, "I think reps, right? Just doing it in practice and we did a lot of OTAs in practice. So, I think that helped a lot." His primary objective heading into camp was straightforward: "Yeah, I think just execution, just executing as offense is the biggest thing."

On building chemistry with the skill players, Anthony noted the positive signs he saw early. "Yeah. No, I think it's been great just for all those guys, running backs, receivers, tight ends, they all look good in OTAs, those dudes are running around and making plays. So, I'm excited for camp." He took that bonding further by bringing several teammates to his home state of Florida. "Yeah, I did. Yeah, it was a good time. We went down to Florida, worked out. My quarterback coach went and lifted. Just had a good time with the guys." He estimated he brought around eight or nine players and said it was meaningful to show them where he grew up. "Yeah, it was just really where I was, where I grew up my whole life and it was cool to like show everyone where I'm from and stuff."

His relationship with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has been a highlight. "Yeah. No, he's awesome. He gives me a lot of freedom with the offense to get into different plays versus different looks. So, I'm excited to build a relationship even more with him in camp." As for head coach Matt Rhule, who referred to Anthony as the yin to his yang, Anthony said, "Yeah, Coach Rhule is awesome. He just keeps it real. He's going to tell you what it is. So, I really appreciate that from him. And no, he's one of the better coaches I've ever had in my life just off telling you really what it is." When pressed on why that yin-and-yang dynamic exists, he laughed, "Honestly, I don't know. I'm going to ask him about that. I really don't know."

Despite coming off a strong year at UNLV, Anthony might be flying under the radar in the Big Ten quarterback discussion, but he doesn't pay attention to outside noise. "Yeah, I really don't look at stuff like that. I'm just excited to go play with my guys and go win games. That's the biggest goal." His preparation for the elevated defensive competition in the Big Ten has been film-centric. "Yeah, I think just watching tape. Just watching a lot of tape, watching what coordinators do. I've watched all the teams in the Big Ten. They do a lot of cool stuff. Excited to play them this year." The biggest difference he sees compared to the Mountain West is scheme. "Just different looks, right? Like Mountain West and the Big Ten, it's a whole different ball game, right? Big Ten has way better players. So, I think they do a lot of different looks and a lot of teams just can run man. In Mountain West, you saw a lot of zone looks, but Big Ten, you're going to get really what it is — man."

Reflecting on this summer compared to past offseasons, Anthony highlighted the personal connection within the offense. "Yeah. No, I think as an offense, we kind of built a great relationship. Like I think when you see guys hanging out outside the facility is really when you see a true team, right? Like you see a true offense. So I think that started and that's huge to see." He's also looking forward to the team bonding that comes with moving into the dorms, even as a senior. "I'm excited. I'm excited. I think well, my freshman year I was in a dorm, but that's different. Like this is I'm a senior. I'm about to be in a dorm. But no, I'm excited for it. It's going to be fun." He also gave back by hosting a youth camp, calling it "awesome to give back to the youth and just see the excitement on their face and stuff." As for his dorm roommate, he has no idea, calling it a random deal and recalling how T.J. ended up with a defensive lineman last year.

The extra year of eligibility granted through the five-to-play-five rule hasn't shifted his mindset. "Yeah. No, I think it's awesome but at the end of the day my mindset's still the same. Just go out there and help my team win games." Looking at the schedule, he insists he isn't looking past anyone. "Yeah, I think that's a good question, but honestly, I really don't like looking past any team. So, I'm just looking forward to week one versus Ohio." When reminded that he previously said he wants to win 10 games and that Coach Rhule declared they didn't come here to go seven and six, Anthony said that message resonates with the entire locker room. "Yeah. No, I think that's the message for the whole team, right? I think Coach Campbell did a great job, our strength coach, and then Coach Rhule, just like that's why we play. We play to win games."

As for quarterbacks he's modeled his game after, Anthony pointed to two Heisman winners. "I think growing up, I always watched Johnny Manziel and Baker Mayfield. Those are like my two guys that I've always watched. But other than that, really, no. I just try to be myself. But you could always pick like Matthew Stafford's my favorite quarterback to watch in the NFL just because he's so precise. He's a great quarterback. But no, I think Baker and Johnny were the two I looked up to." He was drawn to their playmaking ability: "I think the excitement of watching them play. Like they can run around, make plays, they can win from the pocket, they can win from outside the pocket. So, I think all that stuff's cool." He also understands the balance between running the offense and improvising. "Yeah. No, for sure. Like you have to run your offense but there is also like when stuff breaks down you got to go make plays. But I think at the end of the day you're so right, you got to run the offense at a high level."

Anthony is bullish on the offensive line, calling them elite. "Yeah, they're elite. Those guys are the real deal. I'm excited. I think it's the best five I've ever been behind. I'm super excited to play with them." He has a particularly close bond with Justin Evans. "Yeah, that's my guy. We go to dinner. We have a great time. We hang out all the time. So that's my dude." What makes the line so impressive is how quickly they've gelled. "I think the biggest thing is they play together, right? They play together in the pass game and the run game. Like you watch the tape, you're like, 'Dang, like these dudes, it looks like they've been playing for years, but all of them are new.' So, it's a cool deal." He's equally enthusiastic about the depth at receiver, rattling off names like Quinn, Quasi, Jakori, and Z, calling them studs who can make plays.

Having been part of unique personnel groups at Virginia and UNLV, he feels this roster is especially diverse and loaded with talent. "Yeah, I think there's just so much talent everywhere here. Like, we have a loaded group and shoot, we're excited to go play." The offense's identity will be aggressive. "I think just attacking, right? Like going to score, attacking and trying to get after defenses, not holding back. Just really trying to get after defenses and go score points." To manage the increased attention at Nebraska, Anthony plans to stay off his phone during the season, and he leans on his father to keep him grounded. "Yeah, I think my dad keeps me in check. He tells me not to see that stuff." Having arrived in January, he now feels completely at home. "Yeah, I know. I've been super comfortable here now just because I've been here for, you said it, seven months. It's been great to know all these guys, the coaches. It's a really awesome place to be."