Shane Lee reveals where he's seen the USC defense improve the most throughout spring

USC Trojans linebacker Shane Lee arrived on campus before spring ball, transferring in from Alabama. It’s going to be a new defensive system for not just Lee but the entire team. Alex Grinch is in as the defensive coordinator, following head coach Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma.

After their spring game, Lee talked about where he has seen the USC defense improve in the new system. He said the work the defensive unit has put in is beginning to pay off and is hoping as they go into the summer, more progress will ensue before the season begins.

“Like we’ve been talking about, put in a lot of work this spring,” Lee said. “It’s been amazing to see the progress since I’ve gotten here. I would say the biggest thing is to just keep going. We’re going into the summer, evaluate the tape today and rest of the spring. Just knowing where we’re at as a collective and keep doing it. We’re bringing in guys that are fitting our culture, fits our team, fits our scheme. Just take it and run with it. There’s no telling what what we can do when we put it together to the best of our ability every day. So I am excited to see what’s going to happen.”

Lee is going to be a key player for USC and Grinch, playing at inside linebacker. A former starter for the Crimson Tide, he turned into a more rotation piece in Tuscaloosa. Now with the Trojans, Lee is hoping to be one of the reasons they take a big step in 2021.

USC adds safety transfer from Ohio State

Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans are shoring up the defense with a new safety addition via the transfer portal. Former Ohio State Buckeye Bryson Shaw is transferring to USC, his father shared on Twitter on Sunday. The sophomore hit the portal three weeks ago.

“I wanted to let everyone know that my son Bryson has committed to the University of Southern California Trojans to continue his college football career,” Shaw’s father tweeted. “All the best to our extended family at OSU.”

Starting in 12 of the 13 games last season for the Buckeyes, Shaw was a key member of the defense for former Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs.

Shaw recorded 59 tackles and 0.5 tackles for a loss while defending four passes. He finished third on the team in total tackles. He also had an interception against the Michigan Wolverines. As a defensive newcomer, he played minimally in 2020 and 2019. Now, he’ll be immediately eligible to contribute to the team Riley is building in Los Angeles.