USC football: Mason Cobb was 'born to play inside linebacker'

It's no secret that USC's linebacking corps struggled a year ago. Shane Lee and Eric Gentry, the Trojans starters, ended the season as two of the worst graded defensive players on the team, per Pro Football Focus. 

Of the defensive players who logged more than 350 snaps last year, only safety Max Williams graded out lower than Lee or Gentry.

One of the biggest priorities for the USC coaching staff this offseason was to bring in a quality linebacker to help improve the middle of the Trojans defense. 

Ultimately, the staff settled on Oklahoma State transfer Mason Cobb, a second team All-Big 12 selection in 2022, to fill that role. 

Time will tell if Cobb is capable of providing the necessary spark needed to jumpstart the USC defense. But in the few months he's been on campus, the Utah native has already wowed linebackers coach Brian Odom.

"That guy was born to play inside linebacker," Odom said after practice last month. "His movements are exactly what you want. He's quick. He's got a lot of twitch to him. He's very physical and he's extremely competitive."

Cobb started 13 games for the Cowboys last season and made a team-high 96 tackles. He also had 13 tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.

Cobb credited being the youngest of six brothers for preparing him to play linebacker at the college level when he was asked about his coach's comments. 

"We were always fighting," Cobb said. "I was seven years younger than the closest one and I was always trying to fight those older brothers. It's always been about competition for me. I grew up nasty and always fighting so that's how I play."

USC certainly needs some more "nasty" on its defense. 

Last year, the Trojans had 156 total missed tackles which ranked No. 120 in the country. USC ranked No. 124 in opponents yards per play (6.53), No. 117 in opponents yards per rush attempt (4.98) and No. 94 in points allowed per game (29.21).

Cobb will play a big part in trying to turn the USC defense around in 2023. If that side of the ball makes a noticeable jump, the Trojans will have a chance to put together a special season. 

"It's been good to have a veteran guy who's had some success at this level in the room," Odom said.