Miller Moss describes 'night and day' difference from new DC D'Anton Lynn's USC defense

USC is seeking a major turnaround as it enters Year 3 of the Lincoln Riley era and makes the transition into the Big Ten. For that to happen, the team’s defense will have to take a marked step forward.

To that end, Riley hired a new defensive coordinator in D’Anton Lynn, as well as a couple other new assistant coaches.

Already, those going against the defense can see the difference.

“I would say it’s night and day when it comes to this year and last year,” quarterback Miller Moss said. “I think going against obviously guys like Kamari (Ramsey), Easton (Mascarenas-Arnold) who came in, Mason Cobb, along with a lot of really special players in the secondary makes it difficult for me as a quarterback. But it also makes me better.”

Just how bad were things last season? USC finished 119th in total defense and 121st in scoring defense, ranked among the bottom 15 teams nationally. In many ways, USC wasted the Heisman Trophy caliber career of quarterback Caleb Williams.

Lincoln Riley is even facing some minor heat on his job after the team finished with five losses in 2023.

If you listen to Moss, though, things certainly seem like they’re on the upswing on the defensive side of the ball. And that could mean USC takes a significant step forward this fall.

“I think you can kind of see coach Lynn’s NFL pedigree in going against him in that he forces me to continue to be in the right spots every single time,” Moss said. “And if I try to gamble or do something unnecessary, try to take chances that aren’t necessarily there he always makes me pay. So he definitely makes me better as a quarterback and as a player and that’s something that I really value in practice and helps me get the most out of my practice time. So I’m very grateful to them, but also really, really excited to see what they do this year.”

From the defensive perspective, safety Kamari Ramsey, a UCLA transfer, shared what he has seen from the new-look unit under Lynn.

“Very aggressive. He doesn’t let the offense dictate what we do, he dictates what the offense wants to do,” Ramsey said. “So I just like how aggressive he is, not playing soft, just being aggressive and blitzing. He always has the right gameplan and he’s a great coach.”

USC fans will get a first look at Lynn’s new defense come Sept. 1, when the team takes on LSU in the season opener.