Rob Ryan’s enthusiasm is winning over the USC defense

Even at 62 years old, Rob Ryan, USCβs new linebackers coach, isnβt one to observe drills from the sidelines.
In the mix with his linebacker corps Thursday during spring practice, he guided even USCβs most senior defender, Eric Gentry, on proper technique β hitting the blocking shield and tackling dummy himself with the agility of a man half his size and age.
βHis attitude is contagious,β cornerback Prophet Brown said. βHeβs always a positive guy. Heβs always out there with a big smile, heβs loud, stuff like that gets you to want to play harder for coaches like that.β
Ryan is a character. Coming from a family of coaching personalities β his father, Buddy Ryan, and twin brother, Rex Ryan β the gene has certainly been passed down.
βI love him, heβs a fireball,β Brown added. βThatβs how you got to be at linebacker β you got to have some fiery linebackers. I think he embodies that personality well.β
Desman Stephens II, a sophomore linebacker, remembers Ryanβs down-to-earth demeanor at their first meeting and the authenticity the coach exuded.
βHowever yβall see him in those videos, thatβs exactly how he is,β Stephens said. βHeβs the same person, no matter if heβs with the president or whoever. It doesnβt really matter to him. Heβs going to be authentic no matter what.β
But beyond his larger-than-life personality, Ryan brings a wealth of coaching experience. As a member of a Super Bowl-winning lineage β Buddy with two rings, Rex with one and Rob with two himself β heβs picked up plenty of wisdom and is eager to share it.
At Thursdayβs practice, Ryan could be overheard emphasizing the importance of angles in the game. When a player hits the proper trajectory, he makes sure they know it, reminding them that 45 degrees is the βangle of football.β
Ryan was brought in this January as a veteran presence on defensive coordinator DβAnthony Lynnβs staff, taking over a linebacker room short on experience and looking to improve after a season in which USC ranked 77th in total defense.
βIf I try to explain all the stories heβs already told me in this little stint, weβd be here all day, to be honest,β Stephens added. βHe drops a lot of knowledge every day, and heβs just great to be around.β
While defensive end Braylan Shelby hasnβt had many interactions with Ryan, heβs already noticed the coachβs impact on the linebackers. And even though they donβt cross paths often, Shelby is all in on Ryan, saying, βHeβs there for me. Iβm there for him.β
Bolstering USCβs defensive front
This last offseason, USC made key moves to strengthen its defensive line, adding significant size to an area that struggled last season.
The additions of 6-foot-5, 290-pound freshman Jakeem Stewart, 6-foot-4, 331-pound transfer Keeshawn Silver from Kentucky, and the largest of them all, 6-foot-5, 349-pound Jamaal βBig Jahβ Jarrett from Georgia, have created a formidable defensive front that should provide a much-needed boost.
Coach Lincoln Riley already feels that he has assembled a physically advanced group at the position. And with several having to acclimate quickly, Riley emphasizes they will be critical for success.
βComing in midterm, and all of a sudden youβre jumping into this type of training, getting ready to play on the line of scrimmage at this level, at a school like this β itβs going to show pretty quickly if youβre not ready,β Riley said.
From what heβs seen so far, Riley believes the young defensive linemen have stood out with their strength and power. Saturday will mark the first fully padded day, a true test for every football team.
βItβs been fun to watch them run around,β Riley said. βSaturday, I think Iβll probably tell you a little bit more after that. But physically, all those guys are exactly what we thought they were, if not maybe a little bit ahead of that.β
Riley provided an update on newly acquired Silver, saying it is still to be determined when Silver, who required βa little cleanup on his kneeβ upon arriving at USC, will be fully cleared β but progressing with the hope that his recovery will continue.
Additionally, defensive lineman Gus Cordova is one of several players working hard to get up to speed and is not with the team just yet. The focus is on βclosing the gapβ and getting Cordova, along with others, ready to compete by June.