LOS ANGELES – The Trojans are currently enjoying their bye-week after winning their first three home games, with the offense scoring over 56 points in each game. With extra time to prepare, USC is looking forward to their upcoming game road against Arizona State on Sept. 23.
Here are three key takeaways from practice:
Caleb Williams gifts every teammate a pair of Beats by Dre after practice
USC quarterback Caleb Williams recently joined fourteen other players in signing an NIL agreement with Beats by Dre. But Williams wasn’t the only one benefiting from this new partnership.
After practice on Wednesday, Williams gifted his teammates with USC edition Beats by Dre headphones.
Alex Grinch is still not satisfied with parts of his defense
While USC’s defense has shown improvement in each game, allowing 28 points to San Jose State, 14 to Nevada, and 10 to Stanford, there have been instances where the corner backs on the USC defense have allowed significant yardage plays. In an effort to address this issue, USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch worked with his defensive backs during practice sessions this week to focus on containing the opponent after the catch and improving their tackling skills.
During a recent media session, consistency was a key topic for both Williams and Grinch regarding their team’s performance on both sides of the ball. Grinch emphasized the importance of avoiding extreme lows in terms of consistency. Meanwhile, USC cornerback Domani Jackson has struggled with allowing long catches, causing added stress for the coaching staff.
However, some defensive players have stood out, including Solomon Byrd who has impressed Grinch in recent games. Bear Alexander’s pressure on opposing offenses has also been noteworthy. Overall, Grinch stressed the importance of building confidence in executing defensive plays.
Tahj Washington making strides within the offense
USC wide receiver Tahj Washington has stood out so far this season with his impressive numbers through the first three games. Despite the crowded group of receivers, Washington has managed to lead the team with 233 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Notably, he surpassed his longest catch of 61 yards from last season with a 76-yard catch in the first game against San Jose State. Washington, a standout player from Texas, has consistently delivered impressive performances, with at least 43 receptions in each of his last three seasons.
During practice, Washington shared with The Sporting Tribune his thoughts on what he finds most impressive about the offense. “Our ability to be efficient,” he said. “When everything is clicking and everyone is doing their job. It’s amazing how quickly we can move down the field.”
