As USC heads toward the 2026 season, the buzz around the Trojans’ defense keeps building, and defensive end Zuriah Fisher is one of the players offering a clear look at why. The former Penn State transfer has spent five seasons in the Big Ten, and that background has given him a sharp feel for the kind of physical football USC wants to play under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.
Fisher arrived to help a defense that is trying to form a new identity, and his perspective carries weight because he’s seen what it takes to battle high-level offenses week after week. He was also briefly held out during part of fall camp because of a minor injury, but he has since been back on the practice field and working to make his presence felt on the line.
What Fisher says has stood out most is the edge USC has started to show in one specific area.
“Physicality. I feel like everybody just bought in to being physical.
I think that’s one thing that everybody got better at. Even the young guys being physical.
So we just gotta keep that going.”
He pointed to the daily competition in practice as a big reason for that progress.
“Just physicality. You gotta bring your A-game with that. So yeah, that’s a fun drill.”
“Coach calls them out every time, so we’re just waiting on him, seeing the names, seeing who got called, and then we just get ready.”
The mood around the program has shifted as the season gets closer, and Fisher said that energy is obvious.
“You can just tell the game is real close. Everybody’s getting excited, coaches are getting excited, so everybody gotta be on their A-game.”
He also credited the work USC has put in throughout the year, not just during camp.
“Just the work we put in all year. Even before camp, I feel like just all the walkthroughs we had in the summer, just everything. Spring ball, everybody really bought in.”
That buy-in has included Patterson, who Fisher said has been fully invested in the group.
“Like, even Coach P [Gary Patterson], I don’t even think he took a vacation this year. He’s just been out here with us every day. So I feel like everybody bought in in that way.”
Fisher also described Patterson as a coach with plenty of tools to keep the defense moving.
“He’s got a lot of different schemes he can call up. He’s got a lot of plays, too.
That’s one thing that’s new for me. He’s got a lot of new plays.
I feel like he gonna help us play fast, especially the D-ends.”
The younger players have caught Fisher’s eye as well, especially the way several have handled their growth without making much noise.
“It’s a lot of young guys that are humble right now. Even Simote [Katoanga], he’s a quiet guy.
I see how he got better from spring ball to now. I look at guys like that.
They’re just humble, just working hard, trying to get to the top.”
He was especially impressed with Simote Katoanga’s development as a pass rusher.
“Simote’s a dog, I feel like. He took a big step, just as far as pass rushing. He really got better.”
Fisher had praise for Luke, too, saying the freshman has looked far ahead of schedule.
“Luke’s a dog. He can do whatever.
I really feel like he came in advanced. He don’t even look like a freshman.
He’s not playing like a freshman.”
He expanded that thought to the rest of the freshman class, including Talanoa Ili.
“Young guys. Luke, who else I can say?
I feel like Talanoa Ili. Even Simote, his strike got way better.
This is a great freshman class. All of them are good in their own way.”
Fisher also singled out another teammate for the way he has carried himself since arriving.
“He’s a very vocal guy. He showed leadership from the first day he got out here.
I feel like the guys listen to him, too. He’s a great leader.”
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