LOS ANGELES — The word “violence” was involved in every command that linebackers coach Rob Ryan shouted to his players.
“Violence on that thud,” “violence on the tackle,” “violence off the block.” All phrases that align with defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s philosophy.
“Obnoxious communication, a shocking effort and attack,” Lynn told reporters at USC football media day, at the end of July.
“Those are three things we emphasize because we feel like those are things anybody can do. You don’t have to be a starter, you don’t have to be a senior. Everyone can do those things. If everyone does those things, it doesn’t matter what we call. It’s going to elevate the call.”
The linebacking corps is one of the least experienced position groups on the team, but Lynn and Ryan are believers.
“I’m gonna say something,” Ryan said at media day. “I think my group’s going to be great and we’re gonna get after it. If they don’t like it, then fire me, because I know we’re going to be good. We can be young, but that’s all right. We’re young and talented.”
Six-foot-6, 215-pound senior Eric Gentry is one of the only returners with significant playing experience, even though his junior season was cut short. He played in the first four games before a series of concussions forced him to redshirt.
Gentry returned for the Las Vegas Bowl and finished the season with 33 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in addition to a pass breakup and fumble recovery.
The first week and a half of fall training camp have shown that Gentry is capable of even more, and he’s earned a spot on the Butkus Award Watch List. He’s shown a nose for the ball, sure hands and his signature enthusiasm — something that Ryan brings out even more.
The 62-year-old coach attended Gentry’s graduation party and also does not hesitate to jump into drills, rushing into tackling dummies to get a rise out of his players.
“My personality is gonna be my personality no matter what, but Robbo just brings it out,” Gentry said. “And it’s understanding that it’s not much different than being in the NFL. He let me know a lot of stuff with the league in a good way of just understanding like, if you see yourself as a pro in the everyday things you do, it’ll make the biggest difference.”
Redshirt junior Anthony Beavers, Jr. and sophomore Desman Stephens II played in all 13 games last season, and Beavers started in five of them. Beavers finished with 18 total tackles and Stephens collected 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one QB hurry.
Redshirt freshman Elijah Newby has also moved to the linebacker position after playing at defensive end in the spring. Redshirt sophomore and Penn State transfer Ta’mere Robinson has also joined the group.
“It adds great depth,” Stephens told reporters after an evening practice on Wednesday. “And it allows us to rotate through and you’re not worried about who can do this. Everybody can do every job on the field, so it’s great having that depth.”
The coaching staff has not decided on who will wear the green dot this season. Lynn said after practice on Wednesday that some days the inside linebackers take turns wearing it and other days, the defensive backs wear it.
The coaches will have a better idea after practices are held at the Coliseum. Right now, it’s about getting the linebackers up to speed with as many reps as possible.
“We’re trying to get all those guys reps because of some depth and lack of playing experience,” Lynn said. “We’re trying to get guys playing in multiple spots. It’s very good competition in that room. We have a lot of young talent.”
Awards watch
Four more USC football players have been added to a preseason award watch list — three running backs and one receiver.
Running backs Bryan Jackson, Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders were named to the 2025 Doak Walker Award Watch List and could be recognized as college football’s most outstanding running back.
Jackson, a sophomore, rushed for 188 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries with a season-high 71 yards against Notre Dame.
Jordan is a Hutchinson CC transfer and was rated the No. 1 JUCO running back by multiple recruiting websites. The sophomore averaged 134.5 yards per game while collecting 1,614 total rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games.
Redshirt senior Sanders arrived at USC in the spring as a New Mexico transfer could see time both in the backfield and on special teams after tallying 1,766 career yards and 13 touchdowns on 305 carries at New Mexico while returning five kicks for 113 yards.
Sophomore receiver Makai Lemon is on the 2025 Biletnikoff Award Watch List, which decides the nation’s best college receiver. Lemon led USC in receptions and yardage last season with 52 and 764, respectively, and also returned 19 kicks for 514 yards.
