The most important position group for USC this year is the defensive line, but the position group facing the most fluidity in August is the secondary.
The defensive line doesn’t face massive positional questions in terms of who will play where. Bear Alexander will be an interior defensive lineman. That’s not really a question. The uncertainty is not where he will play along the front; it’s whether he will be the beast USC needs him to be. The defensive line faces “quality of performance” questions. With the secondary, performance obviously matters, but it’s a real debate within the coaching staff about where guys should play. We could see a lot of mixing and matching in the secondary all the way until the Notre Dame game on October 14.
Within this fluid dynamic in the USC secondary, Jaylin Smith thinks he can make a difference. He also thinks he is more comfortable in Year 2 under Alex Grinch.
“I think from last season, it was more-so our [defensive backs] corps was learning how our coaches operate,” Smith said. “This year, we’re more comfortable with our coaches, and we know what we want to emphasize. We know what we want to do.
“I feel like I can do more than just play nickel. I can play corner, safety — free safety. I think the coaches want to see what I can do, and I think that’s ultimately the challenge that I’m ready for.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=1 tag=696092335]