Statistically, the 2010 Trojans sported the worst pass defense in school history. The secondary featured three first time starters in true sophomores T.J. McDonald and Jawanza Starling plus true freshman cornerback Nickell Robey.
Of course, those names are looked at a little bit differently now.
The 2012 Trojans will likely start the same three players in a secondary that could rank among the best in the country. McDonald now has All-American attached to his name, while Robey was voted the best corner in the Pac-12. Starling had to battle to regain his job, but he eventually played the best ball of his USC career in the second half of the 2011 season after scooping up the season-changing play at South Bend.Â
The pass defense really shaped up with the help of two newcomers, LB Dion Bailey and CB Isiah Wiley (Photo by John McGillen).Â
Early in 2011, corner depth was a major issue. Torin Harris started the season opposite Robey and sealed the opening victory over Minnesota with an interception on the last drive, but a shoulder injury sidelined him for the final eight games of the season.
Next up, Anthony Brown filled the role until breaking his ankle at Cal. So, at the season's midway point, junior college transfer Isiah Wiley was forced into a sink or swim position.
Going into the contest against Berkeley, USC's defense had allowed a 2010-like 10 TD passes to just 3 INTs. Â From that point forward, the Trojans gave up 7 touchdowns through the air, while intercepting 6 passes.
Bailey snared two picks himself in San Francisco. The safety-turned-linebacker reverted to a nickel corner in obvious passing situations. While the Lakewood product excels at tackling in space, he also has the athleticism to cover tight ends and inside receivers.
While the 2012 defense returns the entire starting back seven intact, the good news goes even deeper. Harris and Brown are expected to recover fully from their injuries and provide cover at corner plus back-up safeties Demetrius Wright and Drew McAllister will push the incumbents.
Meanwhile, the next group of defensive backs like redshirted corner Ryan Henderson and top junior college transfer S Gerald Bowman are on deck. In two short years, the Trojans' greatest weakness could turn out to be their greatest strength.Â
(Photo by John McGillen)
University Southern California Trojans
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
