10 more notes, quotes and things to know ahead of USC spring football

As spring football practice approaches, reporters met with USC staff to talk about the Trojans. We brought you our top 15 thoughts on these interviews in this week’s Times of Troy newsletter.

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But there is even more to share. Here are 10 more notes, quotes and things to know before spring football…

1. “Everybody thinks he’s the No. 1 player in the country for a reason,” defensive line coach Shaun Nua said of freshman Luke Wafle. “He has the potential, the mentality, the character. It’s our job to make sure we maximize that consistently.”

2. The most encouraging development on USC’s defensive front? “Depth is the best friend you can have,” Nua said. He will certainly have more this season. Assuming his freshmen settle in quickly. Wafle is sure to play, while freshmen defensive tackles Jameion Wingfield and Tomhuini Topui appear poised for starting roles. That’s in addition to Jahkeem Stewart, a freshman All-American, and fellow sophomore Floyd Boucard, who stood out on several occasions last season.

3. Skyler Jones, USC’s new defensive tackles coach, got his break in college football thanks to Eric Henderson. Now, with Henderson returning to the NFL, Jones has been promoted in his place at USC. Jones said he cried when coach Lincoln Riley told him the good news. He will play a vital role in improving USC’s interior and developing Stewart. It’s a huge opportunity, but I think Jones is capable of continuing Henderson’s work. “Dawgwork is alive,” Jones said. “Dawgwork isn’t going anywhere.”

4. Of all the new coaches hired, Mike Ekeler impressed me the most. Ekeler said he left Nebraska because he had already built a solid foundation for the Cornhuskers’ special teams, which he said were now “on cruise control.” He didn’t like the feeling of being comfortable, he said. He wanted a challenge — and he’ll get a double dose with USC’s linebackers and special teams units. Last season, Nebraska was excellent in kick return while blocking five kicks. The Trojans had a good kicker…but that’s about all the nice things that can be said about special teams.

5. According to Ekeler, even “Ray Charles could see we had a talented linebacker room here.” If this is true, we have yet to see this talent exploited. USC has a lot of faith in the untapped potential of Desman Stephens and Jadyn Walker, both of whom have very special skills that defensive coordinator Gary Patterson can utilize. But Ekeler is convincing: “More than 30 linebackers I’ve coached have gone to the NFL,” he said. “We have guys in our room with that ability. Now it’s just a matter of putting it to them.”

6. Another great quote from Ekeler, when asked about the perception that Riley can’t have a good defense: “Anyone who says Lincoln Riley doesn’t care about defense, I should check his oil.” »

Jontez Williams returns an interception for Iowa State last season.

(Justin Hayworth/Associated Press)

7. It’s safe to say Jontez Williams will open the spring as USC’s CB1. Cornerbacks coach Trovon Reed said he considers the Iowa State transfer “the best all-around player in the portal.” That’s high praise, but USC made Williams its top target this offseason for a reason. It’s been a while since USC had a real shutdown.

8. The other cornerback slot is wide open. I didn’t get the impression that Chasen Johnson, who was expected to have a starting spot last season, was guaranteed to play opposite Williams in the fall. There’s Marcelles Williams as well as RJ Sermons, who would have been one of the top recruits in this year’s class if he hadn’t reclassified. Prophet Brown could also play on the outside if he doesn’t play in the slot.

9. Don’t be surprised if freshman corner Elbert “Rock” Hill is a serious contributor by the end of the season. Reed said “the sky’s the limit” for the four-star freshman, who could play any number of positions in Patterson’s defensive backfield. “Wherever we can get him on the field the fastest, that’s where he’ll be,” Reed said.

10. Safety Christian Pierce is out after offseason surgery. Safety is a critical part of Patterson’s plan, and Pierce is one of the team’s most important players. It would be unfortunate if he had to sit out this spring, but I’m optimistic that Pierce will have a big year regardless.