Calen Bullock explains the value of having a year in USC's system under his belt

Getting adjusted to a new scheme and system can be a lot for all parties involved. Even so, USC DB Calen Bullock looked awfully comfortable in the Trojan defense last season and is now using that to help others coming to Los Angeles.

Bullock spoke about the advantage he now has going into his second year under Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch following the program’s spring game. He says understanding their expectations has helped to make him a valuable asset when showing their new players the ropes.

“It helps a lot (for) me having a year in this system. Me knowing what my coaches expect, especially my defensive coordinator because I’m in his position room,” said Bullock. “So me just knowing the defense? I know I can help the young dudes. He lets me do it and coach them. Just going out there and, like I said, being coachable helps me too.”

Bullock has made an immense impact over his two seasons in Hollywood. As a freshman, he finished with 39 tackles, three pass deflections, and two interceptions. Then, as a sophomore and his first campaign with the new staff, he popped off with 48 tackles, six pass deflections, and five interceptions with one going back for a pick-six.

That production in 2022 earned him recognition as a First Team All-American at PFF. He was also named to the AP’s All-Pac-12 First Team as well as the All-Pac-12 Second Team.

Now, that success has made Bullock a valuable asset in more ways than one. On one hand, he will look to put up similar numbers, if not better, in his junior campaign in 2023. On the other hand, he will also be able to help the rest of the defense in certain aspects considering the accomplishments he has already posted in the program both pre-Riley and with Riley.

Bullock reveals the biggest improvement from USC on defense this year

Outside of turnover margin, the USC defense left a lot to be desired in 2022. And one of the best players on the unit a year ago, Calen Bullock, has seen a lot of improvement this spring.

The third-year defensive back has been an impact player in the Trojans secondary since he stepped on campus and 2022 was no different, as he nabbed five interceptions. But the improvement he has seen is less about individual playmaking and more about functioning as a unit, with the communication and trust among the defenders standing out most to Bullock.

“Everybody out there communicating with each other. And making sure we’ve got each others backs and trust in each other,” Bullock said. “I would say that’s the biggest thing, trusting each other. Me knowing that the guys in front of us are going to do their job, and they know that we’re going to do our job on the back end. That’s what matters.”

When USC’s turnovers dried up, the Trojans didn’t have much to fall back on except a potent offense. Bullock feels like that’s different this time around.

“I would say defense got way better. Even, like I just said, communication level. Tackling-wise. And even we see the young dudes just stepping up. And when their numbers are getting called? They know what to do, they’re locked in every single time. So they’re ready. So I would say that’s a big thing, too,” Bullock said.

A few months removed from taking their lumps after quick offensive possessions, Bullock thinks the defense has adjusted to better complement the other side of the ball.

“Yeah, we’re more comfortable in those positions now when the offense comes out here and drives down the field real quick. I would say last year, we would probably just be upset about it. But this year we’re more calm about it, it’s football, it happens,” Bullock said. “But we’re going to make up for that.”