YAY Or NAY: USC’s Defensive Line Is Deep
USC’s new-look defense has a new staff, a new philosophy and there is a lot of cautious optimism as that side of the ball continues to make itself better with the addition of more players.
USC’s defense will employ a 4-man defensive line against LSU.
YAY. —
When the Trojans and Tigers play in Las Vegas, USC will show two defensive ends, a nose tackle, and a defensive tackle lineup. A defensive EDGE is another way to describe the player who lines up on one side of the defensive line opposite an offensive tackle. I want to highlight the position distinction for a reason. As you you’ll notice that’s how D’Anton Lynn’s depth chart wall describes his alignment.
Below is a very recent look at what could be a part of the USC defensive depth chart.
A former transfer portal player will start at nose tackle for USC.
YAY. —
Lincoln Riley finally made a move in the transfer portal bringing in a player who he believes can help out USC’s interior defensive line. On Wednesday Gavin Meyer committed to the Trojans after transferring from Wyoming.–His arrival adds some much-needed depth to the Trojans’ defensive line and he has multiple years of playing experience.
The former Cowboys starter will be looking to do the same as a Trojan. USC has had success in the past with Wyoming transfers.–Solomon Byrd played a significant role for the Trojans and Emmanuel Pregnon is scheduled to start at left guard for a second year in a row. Meyer will try and make it 3 for 3 as a transfer from Laramie.
Meyer isn’t the only Trojan who used the transfer portal to his advantage. Kobe Pepe tested the portal waters before the 2023 season started before pulling his name out of the database. There is still a long way to go before Labor Day Weekend, however, as it looks right now, Pepe is USC’s starter at nose tackle.
USC’s recruiting class is underrated.
YAY. —
The Trojans have the No. 3 nationally ranked class in the 2025 recruiting cycle. But it should be rated higher. Isaiah Gibson was recently awarded a 5th star, giving USC’s class three elite prospects.–That number matches No. 1 Ohio St.
Here comes the #Trojans with another one! https://t.co/miHeswZ3iR— Marc Kulkin (@MarcKulkin) May 23, 2024
Gus Cordova is a 3-star who is a part of USC’s 2025 class that needs to be reclassified as a 4-star. He still holds an impressive offer sheet with Baylor, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Texas A&M all offering.–And no one has backed off the highly sought-after prospect according to John Canzano.
The spring transfer window is good for college football.
NAY. —
I asked Coach Riley his thoughts about the spring transfer window back in April, and at the time USC’s head coach seemed, at best, ambivalent. He stressed that there are “positives and negatives in life.” “I don’t know that we’ve had it long enough for me to say.–I mean, what you don’t love is you go through Spring ball and invest in some of these reps in people and then they don’t play for you in the Fall. I don’t love that piece of it, although that’s not going to be a huge part of your roster.
This was right around the time that Isaiah Raikes had entered the transfer portal following his December arrival. Riley continued, “If we lose a couple of guys then we’ll replace them.–So, I don’t know my personal feelings. Probably like anything, there are some positives and negatives to both but it’s something that it’s part of the rules right now. ——It’s just something that we’ve got to deal with.”
There was a lot of anticipation heading into the spring window from everyone. The thought was USC would be able to attract the guys they needed after making the coaching changes on the defensive side of the ball.
Maybe it’s still too soon to say.
The post YAY Or NAY: USC’s Defensive Line Is Deep appeared first on On3.
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