We have a lot of offseason topics to discuss here at Trojans Wire. One is the arrival of Isaiah Raikes from Texas A&M in the transfer portal, a big, space-eating defensive lineman who will provide much-needed help for Bear Alexander and the rest of the defensive front. Raikes gives USC more depth, more girth, and more toughness up front, filling the most acute need on the roster by far.
You saw USC’s run defense buckle in the face of Louisville’s physicality in the Holiday Bowl. That was by far the worst aspect of an otherwise strong game for USC. Raikes was badly needed, and the Trojans got him.
The arrival of Raikes is enhanced by the fact that USC just hired a new defensive line coach, Eric Henderson, from the Los Angeles Rams. What Henderson taught Aaron Donald can be passed along to Raikes, increasing the impact of each new defensive lineman on the 2024 USC roster.
We discussed Raikes and a lot of other topics at The Voice of College Football:
Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire.