Can the USC defense make the 2021 season a distant memory?
“The fog of war … we’re trying to create an intense environment,” Grinch said. “You earn the right to have confidence walking into the stadium on Saturday. Your logo’s not going to get it done, it’s going to be how you prepare on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.”
On Saturday, USC will get the first chance to prove that the off-season work on the defense was fruitful. And after the 2021 that the USC defense had, there is a lot to prove.
Last season, the Trojans gave up 408.9 yards per game and 31.8 points. Opponents converted 42.8% of third-down opportunities and scored 34 touchdowns in 47 trips into the red zone.
And to be honest, the pure numbers hardly do justice to the spectacle of watching the 2021 USC defense, from missed tackles to blown assignments to mind-numbing penalties.
But USC is hopeful that the tide is turning. Throughout stretches of fall camp, the defense has been the dominant unit at practice, according to both coaches and players on the offensive side of the ball.
Depth issues were a concern in the spring, but USC has filled the gaps through the transfer portal. And head coach Lincoln Riley believes that the thin spring roster provided a hidden benefit: Players had to work at multiple positions, and wound up giving the defense the type of versatility that Grinch craves.
“It’s great what everybody’s done, but you gotta go prove it on Saturdays,” Riley said.
But after last season, questions will remain about the USC defense until they are dispelled in a game.
Defensive Line
This is the position group with arguably the most returning talent from last season. Junior Tuli Tuipulotu is the clear standout of the group after recording 48 tackles and a team-high 5.5 sacks as a sophomore. Once again, Tuipulotu is expected to be moved around the line, inside and out, as his versatile combination of strength and agility make him the perfect lineman for what Grinch wants to do.
The rest of the line is full of question marks, if intriguing ones. Transfers Earl Barquet and Tyrone Taleni have to prove themselves. Nick Figueroa is a long-time Trojan but has been working with the second-team defense at practice. Stanley Ta’ufo’ou is still waiting on his breakout.
The same can be said for the rush edge position, which either rushes the quarterback or drops into coverage. Auburn transfer Romello Height has earned the starting job, but has to prove his practice play can translate to a game. And sophomore Korey Foreman is hoping he can overcome the loss of practice time to be an impact player this season.
Linebacker
This group has been reduced to two on-field roles at a time. Alabama transfer Shane Lee seems to have a grip on one of them given both his play on the field and his leadership. The question then becomes who joins him on the first team.
The two leaders are senior Ralen Goforth and sophomore transfer Eric Gentry. Goforth started eight games last season and recorded 61 tackles. Gentry played with Arizona State last season and brings a unique length and athleticism to the inside backer position. Sophomore Raesjon Davis and junior Tuasivi Nomura could also compete for playing time.
Defensive Backs
USC lost every starter in the secondary from last season and this year will utilize a five-man backfield. Colorado transfer Mekhi Blackmon brings some experience to the group, but by and large there are a lot of young players trying to make their marks.
Safety Calen Bullock is expected to be the breakout performer for the defense. He played all over the field last season, starting six games at three different positions. But he is settling in as a free safety as a sophomore after adding some weight to his frame.
Max Williams is back after missing last season with an ACL tear and has worked at both safety and nickle. Xavion Alford and Jaylin Smith are in the mix for safety and nickle, respectively. And Prophet Brown, Joshua Jackson and Ceyair Wright are competing for the final cornerback job.
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