USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch unsatisfied with cornerback play
After the Trojans surrendered a handful of big plays through their first three games, Grinch says ‘the lowlights cannot be that low’
Luca Evans (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — They broke into a traditional Tuesday drill, a member of USC’s secondary charging across the practice turf at a ball carrier, waiting until the very last second for a coach to shout for them to make a move and try to shake the defender in open space.
For all of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s defensive knowledge, the complex understanding of schemes that would go right over the average pedestrian’s head, this was simple to understand. Mano-a-mano. Go-get-him. Little nuance to evaluate besides angles and technique.
So he watched junior cornerback Ceyair Wright, touted as one of USC’s most improved players from fall camp, whiff on a tackle. Then he missed another, grabbing at air off a poor angle as a ball carrier darted past him. And Grinch shook his head, visibly unsatisfied, as an assistant coach barked at Wright for walking – not jogging – back to his post.
Many who have coached with and been coached by Grinch in the past describe his approach similarly: “no bull(expletive),” as Etienne Boulay said, who played for Grinch at the University of New Hampshire. Unafraid to tell it exactly as it is. And during Tuesday’s media availability after practice, Grinch told it like it was: USC’s secondary had put together some decent film through three games, but there was still a definite need for more “intentional, competitive reps.”
“From a consistency standpoint, the lowlights cannot be that low,” Grinch said Tuesday. “We have to get to a point where a bad play defensively is a first down – not necessarily an explosive (play). So that’s something to challenge in the group.”
USC’s new-look defensive line, with transfer Bear Alexander providing consistent pressure from the nose and returner Solomon Byrd “playing at a different level” off the edge – as Grinch said – has been a standout through three games against largely overwhelmed offenses. The safeties, as well, have been standouts: returning first-team All-American Calen Bullock has four pass breakups through just three games and junior Jaylin Smith is USC’s leading tackler after finishing ninth last year.
If there has been a trouble spot, then, it’s been at the cornerback position, where the Trojans are placing an overwhelming amount of stock in Wright and Domani Jackson’s development ahead of Arizona transfer Christian Roland-Wallace, who offers depth and versatility but has been largely quiet through three games.
Wright has made a handful of mistakes but also clear strides since an up-and-down sophomore season, frequently draped over opposing receivers and bounding up in exuberance after wayward passes.
“The biggest thing … was his body truly developing, and him gaining that confidence,” cornerbacks coach Donte Williams said. “And I think we’re going to see both things.”
Jackson, meanwhile, has been targeted 10 times and surrendered seven catches, according to Pro Football Focus. He had a stronger game against Stanford, but he was burned in consecutive weeks to start the season, particularly struggling against Nevada.
It’s essentially the sophomore’s rookie year of college football, after playing all of 45 snaps last season. Riley noted Jackson’s improvement Tuesday, but added “he also has some moments there where you could tell that it’s been a while since he’s been out there playing.”
“He’s on a steep learning curve,” Riley said.
Grinch, for the second straight week, preached that the percentage of overall defensive looks tilted toward positive through USC’s first three games. But a man known for challenging his troops issued another on Tuesday.
“You can’t say, it happens sometimes,” Grinch said, in reference to the Trojans’ corners getting beat. “Those things can’t happen. The easiest way to get beat is somebody running by you. There’s a couple clips of that, which was really disappointing.”
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