Lincoln Riley's coaching career at Oklahoma and USC has always included good offensive teams. He's developed quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams, all who had Heisman Trophy-winning seasons.
However, the most significant criticism Riley has received as a coach has been his team's lack of defense. This year, the Trojans bring in former UCLA defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, who helped a Bruins defense that ranked among the best in the Pac-12 in 2023.
Lynn has many people believing this could be the year that a Lincoln Riley team can finally be successful defensively. He even got praise from legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
"The defensive staff he hired is elite, and it will be hard to compete with the Trojans," Saban said.
Nick Saban with some high praise for Lincoln Riley & #USC Football
— LA Football Network (@LAFBNetwork) August 24, 2024
Via (@On3sports) pic.twitter.com/XtA4C6GTjp
USC brings in five transfers who are projected starters this season, three of whom will be in the secondary. Cornerback John Humphrey and free safety Kamari Ramsey combined for three interceptions and seven pass deflections last season with UCLA, so another year in Lynn's scheme should have them take leaps.
The Trojans also returned some key players from last year's defense on the front seven. Defensive Tackle Bear Alexander has 9.5 tackles for loss in his two seasons, whereas Jamil Muhammed enters his fifth year with five pass deflections, five interceptions, and four pass deflections to his name.
We'll see if USC's defense can be much improved from last year's struggling unit. They will have their hands full in week one when they play the LSU Tigers in Las Vegas, a team with the country's highest-scoring offense last season.