USC Football: Starting Safety Confirms 2024 Return

The junior safety will stay for his senior season.

This time of year, you have college players put their names in the NFL Draft or the transfer portal. That hasn't been the case for USC yet. 

As they look to rebound in a big way for the 2024 season, they'll welcome back some key members for the next season. 

USC junior safety Jaylin Smith announced he will be back for the next season. 

Safety Jaylin Smith says he’ll definitely be back at #USC next season.

— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) December 9, 2023

Smith has spent his entire collegiate career with the Trojans since coming in as a four-star recruit from Mission Hills, California. 

2023 was by far his best season as a Trojan, recording 63 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass defended, and one forced fumble. Smith will be the veteran in next year's team, a team looking to find their identity on the defensive end. 

This defense should look different for the better in 2024, and we'll see how much of a jump Smith and this defense can make as they enter the mighty Big 10. 

With new defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn coming over from UCLA, it could lead to an even bigger season for Smith. Considering Smith will be a senior in 2024, he will sharpen his game to showcase his skills at the Senior Bowl, and more. 

Welcome back, Jaylin! Make your senior year count. 

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