Brandon Pili feels great after a long road back from injury

The USC defense suffered a major loss when defensive lineman Brandon Pili went down with a torn Achilles during last year’s spring ball. He was going to be a big, veteran presence at a position of need. The Trojans got some help with Stanley Ta’ufo’ou stepped in and did an admirable job. But USC had trouble finding reliable depth in the middle of the line and Pili’s absence was notable throughout the season.

Pili took on the challenge of rehabbing from that injury and is back on the field this spring.

“It means the world to me,” Pili said of his return. “It feels so good to be back on its field. I couldn’t even tell you the feeling I get when I come out here and play with my brothers.”

Pili said he was driven to tears when he heard the diagnosis and knew he’d miss extended time. But being away from the game for so long reignited the drive and passion to be great. It also “allowed” him to miss out on slogging through a 4-8 season, which would have been the final season of his USC career had he played. He called the injury a blessing in disguise.

“Obviously last season didn’t go the way we wanted it to,” Pili said. “With the new coaching staff, the fresh start, I feel like it’s a perfect setup to come and play under coach Riley and give it my all.”

Pili’s Fit in the Scheme

Pili is one of the more intriguing defensive players when it comes to this scheme brought to USC by coordinator Alex Grinch. The defensive line is typically made up of smaller, quicker players who can shoot gaps and get into the backfield. Players with Pili’s 6-foot-3, 345-pound frame aren’t usually found.

But Pili said he was excited about the fit when he looked into it.

“I knew he liked to run lighter defensive linemen,” Pili said. “But I knew once they came in and they saw what I could do both in the run and my quickness in the pass game, they’ll work with me.”

Pili isn’t at all daunted by the asks of this defense.

“I don’t like to brag, but I can move pretty well for a big dude,” Pili said. “They preach getting up the field and create havoc in the backfield. And that’s how I played in high school. That’s how I like to play.”

He has his sights set on a starting spot, but knows the work that will go into that.

“I feel like I haven’t really had the role that I’ve wanted these past four years that I’ve been here,” Pili said. “I’m looking to help out my team a lot more, to make a bigger impact.”

He said unwavering consistency and effort are the keys to carving out a bigger role this season.

The Tough Road Back

The recovery from an Achilles injury is a difficult one. Pili’s was made more difficult by his size. He said staying consistent in his rehab every single day over the past year was the most challenging aspect.

“I couldn’t let it slip and kind of coast,” Pili said. “I had to stay on top of it every day to get back to where I was.”

Pili said the doctors told him he might not gain all of his explosion or mobility back following the injury.

“I think that’s all BS,” Pili said with a smile. “I feel great.”

Calf raises were the most prevalent exercise for Pili. He laughed while saying he probably did 100,000 calf raises during his rehab. There was plenty of calf and quad strengthening, and working on balance on his injured leg.

Pili still has some work to do. The coaches want him to drop some weight before the season. He said he’s looking to shed another 10-15 pounds.

But he’s back on the field this spring with a renewed drive and intensity. That’s been a common theme for the players returning from last year’s team.

“I feel great,” Pili said. “It can’t get much better than this.”