USC Safety Bryson Shaw Turns Playing Time Opportunity into Player of the Week Honors
USC safety Bryson Shaw finally saw his first extensive work on defense this past weekend and he certainly made the most of it. The Trojans used Shaw as part of a six defensive back look against the Wildcats and he responded with seven tackles, a pass deflection and a key interception that led directly to a USC touchdown. For his work, Shaw was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week.
Shaw hasn’t played more than 13 defensive snaps in any game this season leading into the Arizona contest. But he rarely was off the field against the Wildcats, taking 71 snaps.
He’s one of several USC players who has fought through injuries this season. And it hasn’t been an easy road this season after transferring to USC from Ohio State.
“It’s been tough, of course,” Shaw said. “I’m a competitor, want to play. But I’m just doing what the team’s asking me. Put my head down, working.”
Shaw said the interception came specifically because he did was the team asked him to. He said defensive coordinator Alex Grinch told him throughout the game to be ready for a specific play that Arizona would run. When Wildcat quarterback Jayden de Laura tried to hit tight end Tanner McLachlan over the middle, Shaw stepped in front to pick it off.
“He told me that play was coming all night,” Shaw said of Grinch. “I saw the formation, remembered what coach Grinch told me and made the play. Great opportunity out there.”
Shaw Making an Impact
Just before fall camp began, during USC’s media day, Shaw spoke about his mindset coming into a new program and looking to become a contributing part of the program.
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“Come in, keep quiet and get to work,” Shaw said. “Put my head down and work. And hopefully I can earn their respect through my work ethic.”
Safety Calen Bullock said Saturday night that it was a great game for Shaw, and it’s been impressive how he’s worked himself into the depth chart.
Shaw said following the game that this team gives him all the motivation he needs to push himself.
“I love these guys,” he said. “I love being part of this team. They brought me in right from Day 1…This group works very, very hard. I’ve been around other groups. This group is right up there with the hardest-working groups I’ve been around in practice.”
The USC defense has run a bit hot and cold at times this season. It’s now allowed more than 500 total yards in back-to-back games. The group is unlikely to be severely tested by Cal and Colorado coming up, but UCLA looms later this month. It will be interesting to see what Shaw’s role is the rest of the season as the Trojans might not face the same kind of unbalanced attack that Arizona possesses, with so much focus on the passing game. But Shaw said he’ll be ready for whatever happens.
“I’m just having a great time being with these guys,” he said. “When they need my number to be out there, I’ll be out there. Whatever they need me to do, I’ll do.”
