Haley Sawyer (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — Defensive coordinator Gary Patterson has had a saying about USC’s freshman class since they arrived in spring.

“By this time of the year, freshmen will be freshmen no more,” defensive lineman Floyd Boucard recalled. “I could feel the freshmen took that into consideration. If one of them has to step up as an older dude, I’m still going to listen. We don’t have no ego.”

Freshmen on the defensive side of the ball are being held to the same standard as every other player, and it seems that defensive tackle Luke Wafle is already overachieving.

He was used heavily in USC’s run defense in Saturday’s season opener against San José State. He was on the field for 41.1% of the Trojans’ defensive plays, including 58.3% of third and fourth downs, according to stats from Hudl IQ.

As a whole, the Trojans’ defense limited the Spartans to 102 rushing yards and just six rushing first downs in a 42-26 win. Pro Football Focus gave him an 80.3 grade in run defense, which was the third-highest mark on the team.

Head coach Lincoln Riley sees an upside for him in the pass rush, too.

“The thing I like about Luke is he’s an every-down style of player,” Riley said.

“But the thing I liked the most about him on Saturday is he didn’t hesitate. He went in there and played aggressive. He was around the ball. He was around the quarterback. He made some plays for us, and he was really close to making a bunch of others.”

Wafle was brought in from Hun School in Princeton, New Jersey, as part of a solution. He was the top-ranked Class of 2026 edge and the seventh-ranked player overall in the nation, and the intrigue about him only heightened with rumors that he hasn’t had a soda in six years (for you Todd Marinovich fans).

Defensive end Braylan Shelby – who ranked second in sacks last season – and stud defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart did not play against San José State. Stewart is dealing with a foot injury, and in characteristic form, Riley did not disclose the reason for Shelby’s absence.

Even if Wafle’s usage rate drops when those players return, he’s still going to be a key to building depth that can get USC through a challenging Big Ten season.

“For a true freshman in his first start, he was really good,” Riley said, “and I think he’s going to be a high-impact player for us not only this year, but for the years to come.”

Trojans on NFL rosters and the USC Texans

NFL teams have released their initial 53-man rosters and multiple USC players from last season have made the cut.

Receiver Makai Lemon, the 20th overall draft pick, is on the Philadelphia Eagles’ roster and Ja’Kobi Lane, another receiver, made the cut for the Baltimore Ravens.

Safety Kamari Ramsey qualified for the Houston Texans’ roster and is one of five former Trojans on the team, along with running back Woody Marks, cornerback Jaylin Smith, safety Calen Bullock and defensive end Solomon Byrd.

“I’m super happy for (Ramsey),” redshirt senior safety Prophet Brown said. “He had a great preseason interception. I love that guy. We talk all the time. Super happy for him and for the USC Texans.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed two USC products to their practice squad: safety Bishop Fitzgerald and tight end Lake McRee. Fitzgerald, a first-team All-American, originally signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted rookie free agent after the draft.

ocregister.com

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