USC's struggles to generate a pass rush have been a major storyline this season, and head coach Lincoln Riley has finally admitted that the Trojans' recruiting misses are to blame. The Trojans currently rank 122nd nationally and last in the Big Ten averaging 1.14 sacks per game. Season-ending injuries to key pass rushers Anthony Lucas and Eric Gentry and the departure of Bear Alexander haven't helped the Trojans, but the lack of a proven pass rush was a glaring issue heading into the season.
USC's struggles are not a surprise. They lost several key players in the offseason, and they failed to land several high-profile recruits in the transfer portal. The Trojans are missing key players like Tyler Baron, Derrick Harmon and Matayo Uiagalelei who all chose other programs in the offseason. The lack of depth at this position has forced the Trojans to rely on inexperienced players, and the results have been less than impressive. The Trojans are missing several key players who could have helped them generate a pass rush.
While Riley credits defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn for being creative, the fact is that the Trojans just don't have the personnel to consistently generate a pass rush. Riley acknowledged that the Trojans needed help in the trenches on both sides of the ball, but they didn't take an edge rusher or offensive lineman from the transfer portal.
Pass Rush Woes: An Inside Look
USC's struggles to generate a pass rush can be traced back to their lack of experienced edge rushers. They lost several key players in the offseason, and they failed to land several high-profile recruits in the transfer portal. The Trojans are missing key players like Tyler Baron, Derrick Harmon and Matayo Uiagalelei who all chose other programs in the offseason.
The Impact of Recruiting Misses
USC's lack of a proven pass rush has been a major problem for the Trojans this season, and their recruiting misses are a big reason why. The Trojans missed out on several high-profile recruits, including Tennessee defensive end transfer Tyler Baron, who chose Miami. Baron is a projected NFL Draft pick. Additionally, USC went after Michigan State defensive tackle transfer Derrick Harmon this offseason. Harmon has been the most productive interior defensive linemen in the nation with 32 pressures (nine more than the next highest total by a defensive tackle). He's tallied three sacks himself and his pressure has led to several other sacks for his teammates. But those teammates are Ducks rather than Trojans as he picked Oregon.
USC also didn't land local Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei in the 2023 recruiting class. Uiagalelei also chose Oregon over USC, and he's had a strong sophomore season for the Ducks with 5.5 sacks.
The Cost of Missed Opportunities
These missed opportunities have cost the Trojans dearly. They are now forced to rely on inexperienced players, and the results have been less than impressive. Talented pass rushers such as Baron, Harmon and Uiagalelei would have massively helped USC this year. Yes, the Trojans have some skilled true freshmen defensive linemen on the roster, but it was unrealistic to expect those players to have a major impact this fall and they haven't. More experienced additions were needed.
Moving Forward: A New Emphasis
Riley acknowledged that the Trojans need to make recruiting and developing pass rushers a priority moving forward. “That's definitely something as we look ahead, we have to be able to generate more pass rush without having to bring pressure all the time,” Riley said. “We certainly want to get to that point...Definitely the development and recruiting of pass rushers is certainly going to be a big part of moving forward.”
The Price of Inaction
USC's inability to land key recruits has cost them dearly this season. The Trojans are currently 3-4, and they have lost all four games by a single score after holding a fourth-quarter lead in each game. The lack of depth on the defensive line has been a major factor in these losses. Riley should have seen this coming and filled these needs before the season. Seven games into the year, it's clear that the Trojans need to make significant changes.
The production just hasn't been there. USC needs to find a way to generate a pass rush. They are in a tough spot right now. Their lack of a pass rush has cost them dearly. They need to find a way to get better in this area. The Trojans need to make a commitment to recruiting and developing pass rushers if they want to be a contender. They need to get their defense figured out. This is not a good situation for USC.
The Takeaway: What's Next?
USC's struggles to generate a pass rush are a major concern. It's clear that the Trojans need to make a commitment to recruiting and developing pass rushers if they want to be a contender. The Trojans need to find a way to get better at rushing the passer. The Trojans have their work cut out for them. They have a lot of work to do to get their defense back on track. It will be interesting to see how Riley addresses this issue moving forward.
The Trojans have a long way to go before they can be considered a national contender. They need to find a way to generate a pass rush, or they will continue to struggle in the coming years. They will need to make some changes. They need to improve their recruiting. This is a critical time for the Trojans. The future of the program may depend on it.
