Analyzing how USC went about improving defense in the offseason

USC isn’t the same team as they were last year. On Friday’s episode of “Pardon My Take,” On3’s Andy Staples discussed the physical changes the Trojans saw this offseason.

“They have tried to improve their body types on defense,” Staples said. “They went to the transfer portal and they got Anthony Lucas from Texas A&M. He was a freshman last year, and actually played very well there. But family wanted him in different circumstances and wanted him somewhere else.

“They pick up Bear Alexander, who was playing at Georgia as a true freshman on that defensive line,” Staples said. “They actually have guys that look the part now on the D-line, which is not something that USC or any of the defenses on previous Lincoln Riley Oklahoma teams had before.”

Lucas and Alexander have more than enough size to make up for USC’s issues. Standing at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, Lucas is a nightmare for offensive coordinators. In seven appearances for the Aggies last season, Alexander tallied 7 tackles with one for loss.

Alexander brings more experience, and even more size with him. The 300-pound defensive linemen will demand opposing offenses’ attention.  Alexander saw action in 12 outings in 2022, boasting nine stops, including two sacks and 13 QB hurries.

Additionally, Alexander had two tackles for loss and a sack in Georgia’s 65-7 win over TCU in the National Championship Game. Staples believes the pair will bring an intriguing threat to USC’s defensive front.

“I’m curious if that changes things a little bit because while they’re not as deep as a Georgia, or an Alabama on that front, they got some stuff that a lot of the other teams don’t have,” Staples said.

USC desperately needs the help. The Trojans missed 156 tackles last season, ranking 120th in the country. Additionally, opponents averaged 29.2 points, 159.8 rushing yards and 264.1 receiving yards per game against USC.

As Alex Grinch enters his second season as the Trojans’ defensive coordinator, he’s making sure he carries his weight, as well.

“The two things you do is obviously the most recent thing would be the previous year, going through that and attack it from the standpoint what you did well, what you need to improve on,” Grinch said. “Then, you’ve got to weight that in terms of coaching your current team, which is really, really important that you don’t get lost in the sauce that you’re not coaching the ’22 team anymore in this particular instance.”