The USC defense has made a significant improvement in just one season under Lynn. Under Lynn, USC currently ranks No. 18 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten Conference in third-down conversation percentage defense (0.322), compared to ranking No. 106 in the nation in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.436) in 2023. At the end of the 2023 season, USC ranked 116 in total defense (432.8). USC has made a massive jump and now ranks No. 65 in total defense (365.7). The USC defense is holding opponents to an average of just 21.2 points per game. In 2023, the USC defense allowed an average of 34.4 points per game. USC’s defense ranked No. 83 in turnovers gained in 2023 (16), and USC now ranks No. 76 in the same category (14). In 2023, USC was No. 116 in the nation in red zone defense (0.909), and under Lynn, USC is currently ranked No. 73 (0.838). In 2023, USC was No. 107 in fourth-down conversion percentage defense (0.607), and in 2024, USC is No. 62 (0.516). USC ranked No. 124 in first downs defense in 2023 (295), and under Lynn, USC is ranked No. 60 (215). In 2023, USC was No. 116 in rushing defense (186.5), compared to ranking No. 43 (130.1) in 2024. The Trojans were No. 118 in scoring defense in 2023 (34.4), and now are No. 32 (21.2). USC was No. 116 in team passing efficiency defense in 2023 (149.72), and now, USC is No. 65 (130.38). Finally, USC ranked No. 109 in passes intercepted in 2023 (7), and USC is No. 60 in the same category in 2024 (9). The platforms of Lynn’s defense are shocking effort, obnoxious communication and attack. The USC football players have fully embraced not only his system, but who Lynn is as a man and as coach. “He’s obviously one of the smartest in the game,” defensive tackle Nate Clifton said. “He’s very confident in his ability and also the defense’s ability to execute. So whenever he instills that confidence in us, it’s not hard to go out there and do what he tells us to do.” “He’s very calm, and he never yells,” said safety Akili Arnold. “He calls you out if you make a mistake, but he never does it in a way to embarrass you. He teaches you how to do it right and makes sure we are all on the same page. I think his demeanor keeps our defense calm.” USC’s defensive success is also due to the fact that the players believe in Lynn’s system because of the great success he’s had as an NFL coach and his other one-season defensive transformation. In 2023, Lynn served as the defensive coordinator at UCLA where he completely transformed the Bruin defense. He elevated UCLA's defense from ranking No. 87 in 2022 to finishing 2023 ranked No. 10 in the nation.
