USC finished with the No. 11 defense in the Pac-12. Looking at the Trojans’ two-deep objectively, I’m not sure there are two players on it who might be viewed as potential top-100 picks in the next two NFL Drafts. That’s a real issue. If you watch who is playing in the national title game, it’s just a different dynamic.
The defense was a massive issue, although pivoting from Todd Orlando to Alex Grinch should help a ton.
However, Feldman isn’t only concerned about the defense, either.
The O-line was very average even by Pac-12 standards. It’s very hard to make a Playoff run if you don’t have enough talent on defense and the O-line.
Personally I don't think the OL is as bad as some think and neither does Riley according to Shotgun Spaulding. With that said they need at least two more guys for depth...
I think that’s legit. Maybe there are quality linemen wanting to leave but programs after spring. USC had spots. But why would Quality starters for big programs want to leave? So I am skeptical about the ability to rebuild the lines from now until fall. That is why I have this team pegged for 8–4. And once he starts losing we will see how much momentum he keeps. Williams might be a great player with great skill around him on a average team because of the lines. And as we know it typically takes three or four years to build a good line. Maybe in this new era it might take two years. But I sure don’t think given all of the transfers out and the lack of depth to begin with that USC is going to rebuild it in one
Thank Claydough, he left the roster in shambles.
The LOS depth is why I have the ‘22 O/U at 8.5. Natural attrition will thin out an already small roster. There wasn’t much LR could do. The gems in the portal were being plucked away by the time he arrived and evaluated the roster.
He’ll need to make big strides in ‘23 and that years portal.