USC cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace accepts invite to Shrine Bowl
USC cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace will participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl in February after accepting his invitation to the all-star game this week.
The 6-foot, 194-pound cornerback came to USC from Arizona this past offseason and made a significant impact in the secondary for the Trojans. He began the year as a nickel but he eventually took hold of a cornerback position and finished the year as USC’s best player in the secondary.
Roland-Wallace finished the year with 37 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, as well as two interceptions and a team-high nine pass deflections. Both the interceptions and pass deflections were career-best numbers for Roland-Wallace.
He posted USC’s second-best PFF defensive grade among players who saw at least 150 snaps in 2023. And his 77.3 overall grade was the best of his career.
His first interception came at Colorado, a game in which he also tallied five tackles in recording his first start of the season. He had a season-high three pass deflections against Notre Dame, often matching up against bigger Irish receivers and tight ends. His second interception of the season came against Washington on a tipped ball in the endzone that eventually allowed the Trojans to tie the game in the second half.
Roland-Wallace leaves college with a ton of film and experience. He’s played in 53 games and has 206 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks and 24 pass deflections.
He’s the second USC player to accept an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game, joining wide receiver Tahj Washington. Former USC running back Travis Dye was on the West roster for the game last season but did not play while still recovering from a season-ending injury he suffered.
Fellow Trojans Brenden Rice and MarShawn Lloyd have also accepted all-star game invites as both will participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
The 99th annual East-West Shrine Bowl will take place Thursday, February 1, 2024, in Frisco, Texas, at Ford Center at The Star, the worldwide headquarters and training facility for the Dallas Cowboys.
