The USC Trojans have not had a lot of luck when it comes to the tight end position as of late. They were without starting tight end Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick last season and it seems like they may be starting the 2015 season without him as well.
According to Reign of Troy, projected starting tight end Cope-Fitzpatrick is currently academically ineligible for the Trojans this summer. The news was reported by Michael Lev of the OC Register via Twitter.
1. TE Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick is still not academically eligible. He is on track but still has work to do. TE is #USC's thinnest position.
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) June 9, 2015
Cope-Fitzpatrick has been facing academic issues since last fall and he and his team may be suffering once again because of it. USC head coach Steve Sarkisian is hopeful that he will be ready for fall camp, but his status still remains unclear. The Trojans are already running short on depth when it comes to the tight end position.
Walk-on Columbia transfer Connor Spears holds down the number two spot right now and that may become the number one spot once the season rolls around. The Trojans will get some extra depth when Oklahoma transfer Taylor McNamara and incoming freshman Tyler Petite both get to campus this fall. Needless to say, the Trojans can not afford any slip ups at that position.