Junior defensive end Kameryn Crawford didn’t shy away from the conversation after practice on Sept. 2.
The No. 14 USC Trojans know their pass rush has more to give, and Crawford made it clear the answer starts with cleaner communication and a defense that stays locked in as one unit.
Against San José State, the line flashed at times, but the overall production was modest: one sack, four quarterback hits and seven quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. USC had already built a 35-3 lead by the third quarter, and once the starters went to the sideline, the Spartans scored all 26 of their points in the second half.
When asked how the group can create more pressure in Week 1 against Fresno State, Crawford pointed to the basics.
“Just being on the same page as one D-line,” Crawford said when asked how the defense can generate more pressure in Week 1. “Everybody communicates, making sure we get the call, making sure we know what’s the play.”
A big part of USC’s early-season intrigue has been true freshman Luke Wafle, who wasted no time making an impression in the opener. He finished with two total tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss, a pass deflection and two quarterback pressures. His most eye-catching moment came when he blew up San José State’s running back on a rush and nearly turned it into a sack-safety.
Crawford said Wafle’s energy jumps out immediately.
“It's just a crazy feeling. Like a young man like that bringing a lot of excitement on the other side of the field,” Crawford said about Wafle. “So, it's just a good feeling knowing that he know what he going to do.”
He also described what stood out when he first got to know the freshman.
“He attacks everything a thousand percent. So, it was just more so learning about who he is as a freshman, just his background and stuff like that, but on the field I already knew he was going to be who he is,” Crawford said.
Under Gary Patterson’s new defense, Crawford has been moving around more than he did a year ago. Last season, he was mostly stationed on the edge. Now, he’s being asked to line up in different spots along the defensive front.
“Just being able to be put anywhere and there's no specific position. Whatever coach want me to be on the field, I'm going to be a dog at it,” Crawford said about his new role.
That flexibility has come with a mindset Crawford says he leans on every snap.
“Good play, bad play, always going to the next. So, it's not just being stuck on a bad play, doing anything about it or if I make a tackle or a TFL," he said. "Just getting back on to the next and make sure my brother's all on the same page.”
The freshmen around him have also settled in quickly. Five true freshmen saw the field on Aug. 29: Wafle, who started, cornerback Elbert “Rock” Hill IV, safety Madden Riordan, corner Jayden Crowder and linebacker Talanoa Ili.
“For me, the freshman, they've been phenomenal," Crawford said. "Just coming in here and working, keeping their head down, making sure they get their extra hours in and just to do what they got to do to make sure everybody is in a good position.”
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