Jaylin Smith assesses USC's 'tight' competition at nickelback

USC had a tremendously successful first season under new coach Lincoln Riley in 2022, flummoxed only by Utah in its quest to reach the College Football Playoff.

But there were a few key breakdowns that prevented the Trojans from really taking the college football world by storm. Most of them were on defense, where USC was, quite frankly, just bad most of the year.

Nickelback Jaylin Smith was especially upset after the defense collapsed in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl against Tulane, leading to a 46-45 loss.

That frustration fueled Smith this spring in the starting nickelback competition.

“It’s been really tight,” Smith said of the nickelback competition. “It’s been good, though. Comfortable getting out there competing against my guys. I wouldn’t think it’s a competition, though. I think it’s more of guys working to make each other better.”

Even with starting quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams back in 2023, the Trojans will have to improve defensively to compete for a College Football Playoff spot.

The nickelback role is key to the defense, so Smith and fellow competitor Latrell McCutchin must be better.

The numbers tell the story. USC finished ranked 111th nationally in passing defense, surrendering an average of 264.1 yards per game through the air. The scoring defense finished ranked 93rd, while the team ranked 105th in total defense.

One position isn’t likely to solve all the woes in one fell swoop, but Smith wants to do his part to make things better.

And to that end, he was in a fierce nickelback competition with McCutchin all spring. A friendly competition, though, one where both players were working to help the other as much as push past him for the starting job.

“I think that’s been the key, because we all play a big part in this defense to help make it roll at a high pace,” Smith said. “So if we’re both on this high level, I think feeding off that energy helps us both.”

During the 2022 season, Smith had the slightly more productive campaign of the two. He finished the year with 37 tackles, 1.0 tackles for a loss and one pass breakup.

McCutchin recorded 22 tackles, 1.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry.

Whoever wins the nickelback competition will be looking to do their part to ensure the USC defense isn’t the anchor to the team’s aspirations that it was last fall.