USC Linebacker Coach Impressed by Promising Pass Rush Performances

A ton of sacks coming the Trojans' way?

The USC Trojans are out for blood in 2023. 2022 didn't end how they wanted, and a large part had to do with their defense. 

It wasn't pretty, and the Trojans made sure they wouldn't repeat that this upcoming season. The Trojans made some big and necessary changes, which came from their defensive front and linebackers position. 

So far, those position groups are showing up, and linebacker and nickel coach Roy Manning is noticing. He's loved what he's seen in fall camp this far, and more times than not, the rushers are in the backfield wreaking havoc. 

“There's just more names across that defensive front,” Manning said. “Not just the d-line but in the linebacker room, just more names that when given opportunity, just seeing if they can make something happen, winning a one-on-one battle. That was a big area of need and focus. You just got to have a bunch of guys that can get after the quarterback. We had our first scrimmage a couple of nights ago, and you could see some of that showing up. So It’ll be exciting to continue to see these guys grow.”

(via 247Sports)

The USC names Manning alluded to are no joke. You have Bear Alexander, a transfer from Georgia, linebacker transfer from Oklahoma State, Mason Cobb, and an edge rusher from Georgia State, Jamil Muhammad, to name a few. 

The Trojans are primed to show that they have a defense to back up their explosive offense, and thus far, all things seem to be according to plan. 

We should be seeing USC defenders in the backfield many times, and we cannot wait till the first kickoff.