The Trojans recently gained depth in their defensive tackle position with the addition of Gavin Meyer, a transfer from Wyoming. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 285 pounds, Meyer is a redshirt senior who ultimately chose USC over schools like Cal, Wisconsin, and Illinois. He has played in nine games during his first two seasons with Wyoming, and his playing time has increased notably over the past two seasons on the defensive line.
With a thin roster, the Trojans needed to add a defensive lineman or two. Head coach Lincoln Riley had addressed this need with the media at the start of spring camp. Defensive ends coach Shaun Nua was hopeful that Anthony Lucas, due to his size, athleticism, and versatility, could play a role on the outside as well as help out at defensive tackle when required.
Though there were initial plans to address the depth early in the spring transfer portal window, the Trojans faced setbacks with the departure of expected starting nose guard Isaiah Raikes, who transferred out after transferring from Texas A&M. Raikes was seen as a strong presence in the middle that would draw attention from the offensive line to benefit the defensive ends and tackle Bear Alexander. His absence was compounded by the unexpected departure of redshirt freshman Deijon Laffitte just 13 days later.
At present, USC will have to rely on Meyer and incoming freshman defensive lineman Carlon Jones to fill the gaps in their defensive line. Jones is joining them this summer and stands at 6-2 and weighs 285 pounds like Meyer. Riley, along with defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn and defensive line coach Eric Henderson are actively seeking additional defensive options leading up to fall camp to maintain high-quality practices throughout their season.
In conclusion, USC’s recent addition of Gavin Meyer from Wyoming adds much needed depth to their defense as they prepare for fall camp while dealing with several setbacks earlier in spring camp due to player transfers out of their team. With an active search for additional options leading up to fall camp
