‘This group can be special’: USC will go as far as its cornerbacks go
A deep competition is shaping up, with a host of veteran returners, transfers and freshmen vying for snaps
Luca Evans (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — As soon as Greedy Vance Jr. got a handle on USC’s new scheme, he didn’t want to see what anyone else had to offer.
After the 5-foot-11 Florida State cornerback hit the spring portal in early April and committed to USC more than a week later, his arrival created an immediate surplus of luxury resource. Vance Jr. started five games with the Seminoles last year, a program that came a very public snub away from a dream College Football Playoff appearance; suddenly, with a few months before fall camp, he was walking into a USC room already brimming with two experienced transfers, three veteran returners and a stockpile of eager freshmen.
But USC had a slight need, still, for depth, after cornerback Tre’Quon Fegans transferred. And Vance saw, from a distance, how defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn orchestrated a one-year revitalization at UCLA in 2023.
He didn’t mind competition. So USC got Greedy.
“That was the thing to me, knowing that this group can be very special, knowing that this team was 8-5 last year and they was a couple of stops on defense away,” Vance Jr. said in late July at USC’s media day. “They got a new staff, they confident in what they want to do, what they’ve been asked to do.”
“So I feel like, being a part of this will be special.”
Really, the program was more than a couple of stops away last year, the secondary in particular simmering with such dysfunction that players visibly threw their hands up over multiple communication breakdowns during a November loss to Oregon. In the midst of a full-scale overhaul that’s since brought in Lynn and former Houston coordinator Doug Belk to man USC’s defensive backs, the group has shone at every possible public turn, holding off Louisville in a 42-28 win in the Holiday Bowl and the Trojans’ own offense in their April spring game.
As UCLA transfer John Humphrey has been fully cleared after an injury in spring camp, and Vance Jr. and Mississippi State transfer DeCarlos Nicholson continue to develop, there might not be a deeper room on USC’s roster this fall camp than in the secondary – particularly at cornerback.
“Coach Belk always tell us, this squad’s gonna go as far as we go, as a defensive back group,” Vance Jr. said.
Belk truly believes that, he confirmed with a smile in late July. And on paper, there’s more depth for optimism in USC’s cornerbacks than at any point in head coach Lincoln Riley’s tenure. Belk said Tuesday he’d “hopefully” look to play at least eight to 10 defensive backs weekly, a range that would allow for several combinations beyond a starting package.
“I’ve learned that – man, we got some dogs in our room,” Nicholson said Tuesday.
The question, however, is what cornerbacks fall on the fringes of that rotation, as Belk said there were “six or seven guys” repping between starting and backup units.
Nicholson is all but entrenched at an outside spot, his lanky 6-foot-3 limbs an ideal fit for Lynn and Riley’s vision for length in USC’s secondary. Vance Jr., too, is likely to start at nickelback, as Pro Football Focus tabbed him allowing just 13 catches on 29 targets last season at Florida State. Humphrey, a key fixture in Lynn’s defense at UCLA in 2023, will factor into the mix with redshirt senior Jacobe Covington for another outside spot. Another veteran in the mix, junior Prophet Brown, played well against Louisville.
Add in likely starting transfer safeties Kamari Ramsey and Akili Arnold, plus returning safeties Zion Branch, Christian Pierce and Bryson Shaw, and USC is already full on Belk’s quota.
“I could see it, honestly, going a lot of different ways right now,” Riley said Tuesday.
A potential odd man out through the first half of fall camp is senior Jaylin Smith, who was USC’s second-leading tackler and defensive MVP in the Holiday Bowl. After he didn’t play in the spring with injury, coaches have been adamant on Smith as a more fluid piece, able to morph between cornerback, nickel and safety.
There’s plenty of positive to that. It also means he hasn’t nailed down a spot.
“You’ll see him moving around day to day,” Lynn mentioned in late July. “And where he’ll be involved, that kinda depends on how the rest of the defensive backs turn out.”
There’s a fleet of freshmen vying for snaps, too, from spring standout and St. John Bosco alumnus Marcelles Williams to Texas product Braylon Conley, whom Riley complimented had “really caught some eyes” the first couple weeks of camp. But Belk and Lynn have their hands full at the top, already, with veteran depth.
Not a bad problem to have.
“We have some confidence coming out of the spring game,” Belk said in late July, “and I think it’s only going to go up from there.”
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Allen, as always, thanks for the article. As I am getting ready for the SC/LSU game I plan on attending, I am learning a bit about what to expect from LSU. They have, according to one site I listened to, the best tandem of OTs will be face all year. One is projected to be the first OT drafted and the other is projected to go in the first round. If that is true, the DBs will need to be very good as I doubt our DL will generate much pressure on the LSU QB. I am very much anticipating… Read more »
This game has more interesting and unknown, mystery dynamics than a large-scale illegal fireworks show on the 4th of July in the middle of town.
I have absolutely no idea who will win. SC certainly has a shot, but I wouldn’t predict it.
And I differ from a few others who feel this game will definitely set the tone for the season. USC could win and still turn out mediocre. USC could lose and still turn out good.
Allen you remember those Bobby Bowden FSU teams that had top defensive speed? Was it in the 90s? I remember distinctly he didn’t have the proto type stocky athletes playing linebackers, they were oversized safeties playing backers who would fly around most any OL and make the tackle. I think Miami even used that method too under HC Jimmy Smith. I thought it was genius of Bowden’s staff.
The Gophers eventually won the 1936 CFB National Championship, for the third straight year. They finished 7-1, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 203 to 32. Their only loss was to Northwestern, 6-0.
At the time, the Big Ten Conference did not allow its members to play postseason bowl games, a conference bylaw until 1946.
Agree – so far based on episodes one and two, I definitely liked the Jets Hard Knocks episodes a lot better. Also, thanks for the Pete Rose recommendation on MAX…the guy seems a little looney but he’s old school honest with his opinions of himself and Major League Baseball.
Dan Lanning — “I always talk about my early days as a coach and how I felt like the most important thing as a coach was “scheme” — and how we were going to outsmart the opponent.
“Then I realized how little that matters in comparison to how your players play for each other, and how much each guy on the team means to each other.
“So if it equates to wins, it’s something I want to be really good at.”
Gerry DiNardo (in the middle) seemed to like what he saw of USC’s OL but gave me the impression the defense is still a big rebuild in progress. He is the only real coach in the Big10 Training Camp Crew at USC anyway so I would trust his opinion. Yogi is always positive. Nice to see the Pac12 Network guys got new gigs.
If you had asked John McKay what the most important part of coaching is, he probably would have said blocking & tackling. Most coaches might say having the best athletes makes the difference. LR’s offensive schemes seem to be complicated in that they give the defense misdirective reads to react to immediately. PC if I remember correctly put a premium on his players winning one on one battles which you could say is close to Lanning’s beliefs? Asking and getting these answers to questions is always interesting to hear.
I wish Dan Lanning weren’t so impressive every single time I hear him talk. He practically makes you want to suit up.
I really think they’re gonna beat OHIO ST in Eugene. If you’re inclined, watch the B1G Network’s detailed presentation of their fall prep for the season. This team is loaded, equipped with another good QB (Dillon Gabriel from OU), and confident as heck. DC Tosh Lupoi, who spent five years with Saban, is also very impressive.
Years ago in one of those eternal training classes for officers in the US Army we were asked why soldiers fight. After many responses the instructor provided the army answer……because he does not want to let his fellow soldier down in the next hole. Sounds like Lanning has done some work……and I’am more impressed than ever.
Jonah Monheim, Bear Alexander
Makai Lemon, Mason Cobb
Allen, as always, thanks for the article. As I am getting ready for the SC/LSU game I plan on attending, I am learning a bit about what to expect from LSU. They have, according to one site I listened to, the best tandem of OTs will be face all year. One is projected to be the first OT drafted and the other is projected to go in the first round. If that is true, the DBs will need to be very good as I doubt our DL will generate much pressure on the LSU QB. I am very much anticipating… Read more »
This game has more interesting and unknown, mystery dynamics than a large-scale illegal fireworks show on the 4th of July in the middle of town.
I have absolutely no idea who will win. SC certainly has a shot, but I wouldn’t predict it.
And I differ from a few others who feel this game will definitely set the tone for the season. USC could win and still turn out mediocre. USC could lose and still turn out good.
What a season to look forward to.
Allen you remember those Bobby Bowden FSU teams that had top defensive speed? Was it in the 90s? I remember distinctly he didn’t have the proto type stocky athletes playing linebackers, they were oversized safeties playing backers who would fly around most any OL and make the tackle. I think Miami even used that method too under HC Jimmy Smith. I thought it was genius of Bowden’s staff.
Bowden was underrated IMO. Kids loved playing for him. He won two NCs and 13 ACC championships leading the ‘Noles.
He was an incredibly personable, folksy guy, and a memorable ambassador for the game who had the worst luck with kickers I have ever seen.
The Gophers eventually won the 1936 CFB National Championship, for the third straight year. They finished 7-1, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 203 to 32. Their only loss was to Northwestern, 6-0.
At the time, the Big Ten Conference did not allow its members to play postseason bowl games, a conference bylaw until 1946.
HBO’s Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the Chicago Bears has been like a Caleb Williams infomercial so far. Episode 2 is in the books.
Agree – so far based on episodes one and two, I definitely liked the Jets Hard Knocks episodes a lot better. Also, thanks for the Pete Rose recommendation on MAX…the guy seems a little looney but he’s old school honest with his opinions of himself and Major League Baseball.
Dan Lanning — “I always talk about my early days as a coach and how I felt like the most important thing as a coach was “scheme” — and how we were going to outsmart the opponent.
“Then I realized how little that matters in comparison to how your players play for each other, and how much each guy on the team means to each other.
“So if it equates to wins, it’s something I want to be really good at.”
Gerry DiNardo (in the middle) seemed to like what he saw of USC’s OL but gave me the impression the defense is still a big rebuild in progress. He is the only real coach in the Big10 Training Camp Crew at USC anyway so I would trust his opinion. Yogi is always positive. Nice to see the Pac12 Network guys got new gigs.
If you had asked John McKay what the most important part of coaching is, he probably would have said blocking & tackling. Most coaches might say having the best athletes makes the difference. LR’s offensive schemes seem to be complicated in that they give the defense misdirective reads to react to immediately. PC if I remember correctly put a premium on his players winning one on one battles which you could say is close to Lanning’s beliefs? Asking and getting these answers to questions is always interesting to hear.
I wish Dan Lanning weren’t so impressive every single time I hear him talk. He practically makes you want to suit up.
I really think they’re gonna beat OHIO ST in Eugene. If you’re inclined, watch the B1G Network’s detailed presentation of their fall prep for the season. This team is loaded, equipped with another good QB (Dillon Gabriel from OU), and confident as heck. DC Tosh Lupoi, who spent five years with Saban, is also very impressive.
Years ago in one of those eternal training classes for officers in the US Army we were asked why soldiers fight. After many responses the instructor provided the army answer……because he does not want to let his fellow soldier down in the next hole. Sounds like Lanning has done some work……and I’am more impressed than ever.