USC Preview: Defensive depth makes the Trojans dangerous

We’re so close. The USC Trojans open up the season at the Coliseum against Western Michigan in just two days. There has been plenty of hype surrounding QB Sam Darnold and the USC offense, but the Trojan defense has the talent to be one of the top units in the country this season.

It’s been a few years since the USC Trojans have been heavy favorites to win the Pac-12. However, USC appears to be back in the national spotlight thanks to an epic comeback victory in the Rose Bowl last season against Penn State and the return of key players on both sides of the ball.

Expectations are always high amongst the Trojan faithful because of USC’s rich history of conference championships, Rose Bowls, and national titles. More often than not, these elite teams have been characterized by speedy, aggressive defensive units. This year’s Trojan defense appears to have the identity of an elite football team that USC fans are used to seeing.

It all starts with the man in the middle of it all, All-American linebacker Cameron Smith, who is back for his junior season. His leadership and big-play ability will be key for the Trojans to slow down the high-flying offenses of the Pac-12.

Smith may be the leader of the linebacking corp, but fellow junior Porter Gustin and sophomore John Houston Jr. also emerged as key playmakers on last season’s team. Together, this trio is reminiscent of the Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, Keith Rivers group that won a national title under Pete Carroll. Throw in the experience of senior Uchenna Nwosu and USC touts one of the best linebacking groups in the country.

With linebackers that are capable of flying all over the field, the USC defensive linemen, led by junior Rasheem Green, should have plenty of support in the run game, while having the freedom to aggressively rush the quarterback. The switch to a 3-4 scheme last season under defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has spurred heated competition between linemen for playing time.

It appears as if Green has nailed down his spot on one end of the line, with junior Malik Dorton set to man the other side. That leaves senior Josh Fatu and former five-star recruit Kenny Bigelow to battle it out for the nose tackle position. Fatu is first on the depth chart going into the first game, but expect Coach Helton to rotate both players at the position throughout the season.

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The Pac-12 will be loaded with talented quarterbacks this season, so the USC secondary will have to be excellent if they want to win it all. Aside from the loss of Adoree’ Jackson to the NFL, USC returns all of its starters in the secondary.

The group is led by All-American cornerback Iman Marshall, who headlines a deep and talented unit of defenders. He’ll be covering receivers alongside sophomore standout Jack Jones, Isaiah Langley, and Jamal Cook, who will all need to step up in their first year as starters.

With some inexperience at the cornerback position, USC is loaded at safety with the return of Chris Hawkins and Marvel Tell III, who both showed their importance in the Trojans’ Rose Bowl victory. The two of them in tandem with linebacker-safety hybrid Ajene Harris should make it difficult for Pac-12 quarterbacks to find holes in the defense.

Next: Previewing the weapons around Sam Darnold

It’s proven year in, year out that the national championship team has to play excellent defense to keep opposing offenses off the field. The pieces are in place for the Trojans, who look poised to deploy a defensive unit capable of leading the Trojans to a Pac-12 title and beyond.