University Southern California Trojans
Ryan Nielsen Enjoying Life At Defensive Tackle
October 25, 1999 | Football
Oct. 25, 1999
It's not easy being double-teamed by a pair of 300-pound linemen while trying to stop a running back or rush the passer. For USC defensive tackle Ryan Nielsen, though, it's just another day at the office. The sophomore is enjoying life as a tackle after spending much of last season as a defensive end.
"It's fun playing tackle because there's more chance to make plays against the run," said Nielsen, who majors in public policy management. "That's one of my strengths. I also like taking on double teams and disrupting plays. Our goal on the defensive line is to make a play by hitting the quarterback, or making a tackle or an assist, at least once every six plays."
Nielsen has been a pleasant suprise on the front line so far this season. He has notched 26 tackles (tops among defensive linemen), including three tackles for loss, a sack, three pass deflections and a fumble recovery. Nielsen credits last year's Sun Bowl game with giving him the confidence to step up and make plays.
"The TCU game was the first game where I was in for more than 15 plays," said the 6-5, 285-pound Nielsen. " I ended up playing almost the whole game because Ennis Davis got hurt. I did pretty well and made a few tackles even though I weighed only 255 at the time. But that game really drove me to set my expectations high."
Nielsen followed up on his performance against TCU with a strong spring practice and a great fall camp. When senior defensive tackle Aaron Williams was slowed with an injury, Nielsen became the starter, a role he held until Williams came back to start against Stanford.
"The defensive line really sticks together," said Nielsen. "There?s no animosity when a guy gets playing time. We?re very cohesive. We also rotate guys a lot so it's not like you don't get a chance to play. I don't have any complaints at all."
Nielsen credits defensive line coach Ed Orgeron for building a unit that is the cornerstone of the Trojan defense.
?There's a lot of competition on the defensive line," said Nielsen. "But it?s like a family. Coach Orgeron is a good guy who demands the best out of everybody."
Ironically, Nielsen was once a big fan of the great Miami defenses of the late 1980s and early '90s that featured a dominant defensive line coached by none other than Ed Orgeron.
"I was really excited when I found out he was coming here," said Nielsen. "He coached all those great players at Miami like Russell Maryland and Cortez Kennedy and then sent them to the NFL. Having him as my coach gives me a better chance to accomplish my dream, which is to go to the NFL."
Nielsen came to USC in 1997 as a defensive end. In his senior year at Royal High in Simi (Calif.), he had 19 sacks and was one of the most sought after defensive ends in the state. He was among a talented group of defensive players, including linebacker Zeke Moreno, defensive end Lonnie Ford, cornerbacks Antuan Simmons and Kris Richard and safety Ifeanyi Ohalete, who came to USC in 1997 and now help form one of the Pac-10's best defenses.
"?The year I came in, a lot of the guys in my recruiting class contributed right away because they were very talented," said Nielsen. "I think that playing young guys is something we've been doing a lot lately and it helps get them ready for when they become starters. By the time they do start, it?s like we're reloading."
Nielsen has been a big part of that reloading process on the Trojan defense. Though it has struggled at times, the defense has shown a propensity toward making big plays and forcing turnovers. Nielsen thinks things will only get better.
?I think this year?s defense is a heck of a defense, " said Nielsen. "We?re not there yet, though. We?re very close, maybe an eyelash away, from being great. By the end of the season I think we?re going to be awesome. And next year will be even better."
Nielsen plans to beef up more during the offseason to better prepare himself for the rigors of playing tackle. As for the rest of this free time, Nielsen plans to spend it on a boat somewhere.
"I love to go fishing, " said Nielsen. "(Tight end) Jacob Rogers, my dad and I went down to Cabo San Lucas last summer and had a ball. We went marlin fishing for four days. Me and my dad want to head to Alaska sometime soon and fish up there. I hadn't been fishing for the last couple years and now I?ve been trying to get back into it. It?s just relaxing and a lot of fun, especially river fishing. And if you don?t catch a fish, then, oh well. The point is to have fun."
Rest assured, whether he's chasing down quarterbacks or reeling in a marlin, Ryan Nielsen gets the point.
He's having fun.
