Lincoln Riley talks about the 2023 USC defense

We all want Lincoln Riley’s optimism to be validated, but we all have to wait until the Trojans prove they’re worthy.

The key to USC’s season, other than Caleb Williams remaining healthy, is pretty obvious. USC’s defense needs to be competent.

Could it be more than competent? Could it actually be good?

Buffaloes Wire noticed that Deion Sanders had put Colorado in position to have one of the most improved units in the country. Guess who else might have one of the most improved units in the country, as noted by 247Sports analyst Raymond Lucas?

The USC Trojans. On defense.

Really?

Lincoln Riley sounds optimistic:

“We’re never going to settle for any expectation lower than the past,” Lincoln Riley told 247Sports. “That’s not how we’re wired. But at the same time, you also understand that some building has to take place. Not every leak can be plugged. We tried to plug as many as we could, but not every leak can be plugged in one year. We’re going to continue to take strides, and with the group of guys that we have, I certainly wouldn’t count us out.

“Calen Bullock was first-team All-America on several lists and has a chance to be a really great player for us in the secondary. Jaylin Smith certainly fits in that role, along with Jacobe Covington. I could go down the list, and then we brought in a ton of guys. We’ve really added a lot of new, exciting personnel. We can’t wait to watch them perform.”

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