USC Football didn’t make it to the college football playoffs, but did use the transfer portal. Head coach Lincoln Riley has received commitments from some of the country’s best players after proving how dominant his team is.
Additionally, one of the biggest reasons USC didn’t make the playoffs was defensively. While many stars were on that side of the ball, the defense as a whole struggled, ultimately driving Riley’s game plan further away from its potential.
In that regard, USC Football recently received the commitment of one of the Pac-12’s best defensive backs, Christian Roland Wallace. This portal pick-up is important because Roland-Wallace can single-handedly change USC’s defensive scheme.
After playing for the Arizona Wildcats for several seasons, Roland Wallace’s primary reason for entering the transfer portal was to increase his chances of playing in the NFL. Having an elite head coach coaching him will help Roland-Wallace reach his full potential and increase his draft stock.
That said, there are many similarities between Roland-Wallace and current USC corner Mekhi Blackmon. Not only do they both play physically, they also have excellent coverage and have incredible footwork. This shows that Roland-Wallace compatibility is not an issue.
With Christian Roland-Wallace’s commitment, USC football’s defensive strategy is much less pressure, especially on defense. Last season, the Trojans allowed him 266.5 passing yards per game. Additionally, they allowed a 64.5 completion percentage and 23 passing touchdowns. Those numbers rank among the worst ERA in the country.
Additionally, the former 3-star recruits (and the current 4-star transfer) fix these issues immediately. Through the 2022 season, Roland Wallace was targeted 62 times, allowing 34 catches and his 6 pass deflections. These ridiculous stats prove why this addition was pivotal to his USC football and its championship goals.
new #USC Christian Roland Wallace has been targeted 62 times this season and has given up 34 catches for 378 yards and 3 TDs, according to Pro Football Focus.
The only USC DB with a low completion rate this season was Mekhi Blackmon (49.2%). https://t.co/c4Ph5Axibx
— Shotgun Splatling (@ShotgunSpr) December 19, 2022
dark. Next. USC Football’s Heisman Trophy Winning Season Rankings
Nonetheless, with a strong offense and a locked-down defense, USC Football will have an impressive regular season record. Major pickups like Roland-Wallce pay dividends once the season is over. If both sides of the ball can stay healthy, there’s no reason why the Trojans shouldn’t rank him as one of the best teams in the country.