Calen Bullock reveals the biggest improvement from USC on defense this year

Outside of turnover margin, the USC defense left a lot to be desired in 2022. And one of the best players on the unit a year ago, Calen Bullock, has seen a lot of improvement this spring.

The third-year defensive back has been an impact player in the Trojans secondary since he stepped on campus and 2022 was no different, as he nabbed five interceptions. But the improvement he’s seen is less about individual playmaking and more about functioning as a unit, with the communication and trust among the defenders standing out most to Bullock.

“Everybody out there communicating with each other, and making sure we’ve got each others backs and trust in each other,” Bullock said. “I would say that’s the biggest thing, trusting each other. Me knowing that the guys in front of us are going to do their job, and they know that we’re going to do our job on the back end. That’s what matters.”

In 2022, USC finished No. 106 nationally in total defense. The Trojans let up 54 touchdowns — as many as their offense scored — and allowed 423.9 yards per game. In 14 games, opponents racked up nearly 6000 total yards on the USC defense.

The saving grace for the unit was turnover margin. USC led the nation with an eye-watering plus-22 turnover margin. The eight turnover gap between the first-place Trojans and Duke in second place (with a plus-16 margin) was the same as the gap between the Blue Devils and teams at No. 18 on the list. USC turned opponents over at a torrid rate, especially early on.

After creating 15 turnovers in the first four weeks, the Trojans had one game the rest of the season with more than two takeaways. And subtract a five takeaway performance against UCLA in November, the Trojans had 10 takeaways in the final nine games.

When the turnovers dried up, the Trojans didn’t have much to fall back on except a potent offense. Bullock feels like that’s different this time around.

“I would say defense got way better. Even, like I just said, communication level. Tackling-wise. And even we see the young dudes just stepping up and when their numbers are getting called they know what to do, they’re locked in every single time, so they’re ready. So I would say that’s a big thing, too,” Bullock said.

As for that potent offense, Caleb Williams — the reigning Heisman winner — is still at quarterback. And a few months removed from taking their lumps after quick offensive possessions, Bullock thinks the defense has adjusted to better complement the other side of the ball.

“Yeah, we’re more comfortable in those positions now when the offense comes out here and drives down the field real quick. I would say last year, we would probably just be upset about it. But this year we’re more calm about it, it’s football, it happens,” Bullock said. “But we’re going to make up for that.”