The USC Trojans defense couldn’t stop anyone last season. Their old issues came back to bite them again, and it was one of the main reasons why they finished with an underwhelming 7-5 record on the year.
USC entered the season with high hopes of potentially competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff, but that quickly faded away. Their lack of a defensive identity cost them again, but there is hope for the future.
The Trojans hired away star defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn from the rival UCLA Bruins. Lynn completely transformed the Bruins’ defense last season, turning them into one of the better units in the country.
Lynn was able to bring a few of his better pieces from the UCLA defense over to the Trojans in the transfer portal. This includes star safety Kamari Ramsey, who should be able to hold down the Trojans secondary next season.
Ramsey was named to the Pro Football Focus All-Transfer Team for 2024.
“SAFETY: KAMARI RAMSEY, USC TROJANS
Transferred from: UCLA Bruins
Opposing quarterbacks didn’t find much success when looking Ramsey’s way this year. The sophomore’s 41.6 passer rating allowed led all Pac-12 safeties, while his 0.31 yards allowed per coverage snap ranked second. Ramsey is also a hard-nosed run defender, placing eighth among FBS safeties with seven tackles for loss or no gain.”
In 11 games last season for the Bruins, Ramsey was special. He had 40 tackles, 2.5 of them for loss, and one interception.
But it was his passer rating and coverage that separated him. He doesn’t give opposing wide receivers any space to work with and uses his strength to dominate at the line of scrimmage.
USC got a good one in Ramsey, and with Lynn at the helm again, he should be a top player in his position. Lynn changes a lot for the Trojans’ defense and gives them a chance to compete next season.
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