USC Football: 5 Defensive Transfers Ready to Make a Big Impact This Upcoming Season
The expectations for the USC Football program are always going to be significant. With that said, this upcoming season feels a bit different compared to the last few. Throwing hubris and ego aside, the 2023-24 version of USC seems like the best-equipped side to compete for a National Title in recent years.
Defensively, last year -- considering the standards at S.C. -- were subpar (to say the least). Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch never seemed to really get a true handle on his personnel. The Trojans ranked No. 94 nationally in points allowed per contest (29.2). It ranked No. 80 nationally against the run (159.8 rushing yards allowed per game) and No. 112 nationally against the pass (264.1 passing yards allowed per game). Just for good measure, USC also ranked No. 106 in terms of total yardage allowed per game (423.9).
Suffice to say, things needed to change over the offseason.
This piece will look at five defensive transfers expected to impact the Trojans' season in 2023-24. We are bullish on some of the high school enrollees (namely Louisiana LB Tackett Curtis). With that said, these transfers are older, more experienced options. Barring something unforeseen, all five should be starters.
1. DT Kyon Barrs (6'2" 290 ; RS Sr.)
Barrs was arguably the biggest get for the Trojans in the transfer portal. In four years at Arizona, Barrs notched 102 tackles, 12.5 TFL and 5.0 sacks. His biggest season came as a junior in 2021 -- where Barrs was named as an All-Pac-12 Second Team selection. During this season, he operated more so as a 3-tech -- meaning he was the quicker of the two defensive tackles in a 3-4 scheme. Arizona reportedly bulked him up a season ago to operate as more of a nose guard, thus negating some of the quickness which made Barrs an all-conference player. Now with the Trojans, he'll move back to his natural position (and ideal playing weight). The positional versatility Barrs brings should also enable him to be a three-down player.
Early returns in practice indicate that Barrs has been quite impressive with his combination of quickness off the ball, initial punch at the point of attack, and general strength. Without a doubt, you're looking at a future NFL defensive tackle (and one coincidentally who compares favorably to former USC standout Sedrick Ellis).
“Kyon, obviously another guy that we had had experience playing against and obviously studying him in the league, we thought he was one of the more explosive interior defensive linemen in the league. And had a few years of pretty good tape that showed up.”
(HC Lincoln Riley via 247Sports)
2. DB Christian Roland-Wallace (6'0" 200; R.S. Sr.)
Roland-Wallace is another redshirt senior transferring back home to Southern California from Arizona. A snub for all-conference honors a season ago, Roland-Wallace was easily Arizona's best defensive back. He accrued a team-high 58 tackles with two forced fumbles and six pass deflections.
USC"s secondary has a lot of bodies...but not much in the way of proven talent. There are a plethora of guys itching to make a name for themselves (namely Domani Jackson and Ceyair Wright). Roland-Wallace is a jack-of-all-trades from the standpoint he can operate from anywhere in the secondary. This includes boundary corner, safety, and even as a nickel back. When you include his preexisting four years of football at the collegiate level, you can bet Roland-Wallace will be getting plenty of snaps on Saturdays.
3. LB Mason Cobb (6'0" 235 ; S.R.)
The play within the linebacker corps needed obvious improvement heading into this offseason. Eric Gentry is a specimen of a player with his abnormally long frame and wingspan. However, the Trojans needed to add a running mate next to Gentry. Someone hard-nosed, physical, and experienced. Enter Oklahoma State transfer Mason Cobb.
The Utah native is a tackling machine having registered 96 tackles and a whopping 13.0 TFL a season ago. Stylistically, he's very reminiscent of former UCLA star LB Eric Kendricks. He's not the biggest guy in the world. Yet, he sheds blocks exceptionally well -- and has a real nose for the football. You'll see him flying around the field in a controlled manner. That's primarily due to his immense football I.Q. Without a doubt, you're looking at a guy who should be a leader on this team for the upcoming campaign.
"If [Cobb} sees the ball carrier, it he sees the quarterback looking somewhere, [Cobb] is there 0-to-100."
(teammate Max Williams via Rivals.com)
4. DL Jack Sullivan (6'5" 275; R.S. Sr.)
The Trojans struck gold with another experienced defensive lineman from the portal. Sullivan has played parts of four seasons for Purdue in the Big Ten. He established himself as a full-time starter last year -- where he accrued 38 tackles, 7.0 TFL, and 5.5 sacks.
At the very least, USC is getting a grown man to play heavy snaps along its defensive line. Sullivan is a high-energy player, and one who plays until the whistle is blown. As an Academic All-American, Sullivan's mental acuity out on the field is undoubtedly impressive. He should be a terrific mentor for some of the younger defensive linemen on the team. Sullivan will most likely play on one of the ends in the 3-4 scheme Grinch employs.
5. DT Bear Alexander (6'3" 300 ; So.)
Alexander was the most heralded addition to the class. This -- of course -- is primarily based upon his reputation as an elite prospect. He signed with Georgia out of high school. Despite the Bulldogs' loaded defensive front, Alexander actually played as a true freshman in 12 games. This includes the National Title win over TCU in which he picked up a sack and 2.0 TFL.
Clearly wanting a fresh start, Alexander headed West -- where the hope is that he'll develop into more of a every-down lineman rather than a pass-rushing (as was his role in Athens). There's no question about Alexander's talent. He does possess a rare skill set with dancing bear-like tendencies (unusual strength, agility, lateral quickness). If he and Barrs can give USC some real pop-up front as a pass-rushing/run-stuffing duo, this defense should be far better equipped to contend versus elite offenses in 2023.
