Kamari Ramsey and Miller Moss explain the strengths of D'Anton Lynn's defense

D’Anton Lynn is USC’s new defensive coordinator, replacing Alex Grinch in 2024. Two players with unique perspectives on his defense chimed in on why it’s so effective. One played for Lynn on his previous team, UCLA, and the other is USC’s starting quarterback who spent the entire spring playing against his base 4-2-5 defense.

Kamari Ramsey is one of four UCLA Bruins to join the Trojans in 2024 (Lynn, Kyle Ford, and John Humphrey). He played safety last year for Lynn. Ramsey explained that Lynn has relied on him to be a coach on the field and help the Trojans digest the new defensive scheme installation more quickly. In an interview with Big Ten Network’s Ashley Adamson during Big Ten media days, he explained Lynn’s defensive philosophy:

“Very aggressive. He doesn’t let the offense dictate what we do. He dictates what the offense wants to do. I just like how aggressive he is. Not playing soft. Being aggressive, blitzing. He always has the right game plan.”

Miller Moss replaces Heisman Trophy\-winning quarterback Caleb Williams at USC in 2024. He credits Lynn’s defense with making him a more disciplined quarterback by making offenses pay for making mistakes. Here’s what he said when he joined the Cover 3 podcast:

“You kinda understand his NFL pedigree and background in going up against him, and that you have to continue to make the next right decision against whatever he presents you — because if you don’t, and you try to take risks and you try to gamble, he will make you pay for that.”

Moss was quick to emphasize that he is confident in the way this defense played together in the spring, but he won’t know how good the Trojans are until they begin play in September. If Lynn can come close to replicating in the fall what he was able to do last season, holding teams to only 4.5 yards per play (No. 8 nationally), USC would instantly become a serious College Football Playoff contender.

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