True freshman Braylan Shelby making an early impact for USC

True freshman Braylan Shelby didn’t have the advantage some first-year players get when they enroll early and participate in spring ball. But no incoming freshman turned more heads the first time he came out of the John McKay Center and up the USC All-American Walk for his first fall camp practice with the Trojans. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound rush end registers as one of the more physically impressive true freshmen to suit up for USC in recent memory.

“Yeah, we all wish we looked like Braylan,” head coach Lincoln Riley said with a smile after an early fall camp practice.

Shelby looked the part as a high school senior coming out of Friendswood (Texas) High School. But he credits some key members of the USC staff for getting him to where he is now. Specifically, he mentioned strength coach Bennie Wylie and his staff, as well as Director of Sports Nutrition, Rachel Suba.

“They got me right on the plan, right to lifting weights,” Shelby said of his arrival this summer. “It was a smooth transition and thanks to them.”

The added strength, coupled with Shelby’s long arms and quick burst off the line have helped him see the field early in his USC career. Shelby logged seven snaps against San Jose State in the opener and then 14 against Nevada in Game 2. In just those 21 snaps, Shelby has recorded four tackles, including two for loss with a sack and a forced fumble.

Shelby hasn’t just been impactful. According to PFF, Shelby graded out as the best USC defender over the first two games of the season. The snap count can skew things early in the season, considering Shelby has played 101 fewer snaps than safety Calen Bullock. But Shelby’s 91.4 grade is significantly ahead of the Trojans’ next defensive player, at 80.1. In fact, that grade for Shelby is No. 4 nationally among edge defenders

The highlight play for Shelby so far was the sack and forced fumble that defensive tackle Stanley Ta’ufo’ou returned for a touchdown.

“It felt amazing,” Shelby said. “Coach called one of the normal calls and I knew it was going to be a pass set. So, I knew to jump the snap. I jumped it. I came around the corner. Coach Manning’s been teaching us to reach a lot. So I reached and swiped it right down and it went right into Stanley’s hands.”

Riley said this fall that Shelby would need to get used to the violent contact that takes place on every snap along the line of scrimmage at this level compared to high school. Shelby said the speed of the game took a few days for him to adjust to as well. There’s also the adjustment of the more complex play calls.

“But after you get used to that, then it just comes to you,” Shelby said, adding that Manning and defensive line coach Shaun Nua have worked a lot with him on technique when it comes to approaching and getting off blocks.

Shelby joined a rush end room with a few older players in Jamil Muhammad and Romello Height. He said they’ve been instrumental in his quick development.

“I’ve always asked them questions,” Shelby said. “They’ve always answered me, gave me tips and tricks to help me with my skills and better hone into my game.”

Riley said the difference from the first game to the second was especially noticeable in how the younger players handled themselves. He said there were fewer wide eyes the second time out.

Shelby said his nerves weren’t “running as high” his second time coming out of the Coliseum tunnel. The first time hit him much harder.

“It was amazing,” Shelby said of his first game with the Trojans. “I’ve never played in a stadium that big, let alone on TD. Just seeing all the fans, everybody there just cheering for you…It felt amazing to be in an atmosphere like that.”

Shelby celebrated his first career sack with a phone call to his mother after the game.

“Just sitting there talking to my parents and having a good time,” Shelby said. “Kind of just celebrating the sack. But looking forward to making more plays.”