As the USC Trojans get set to enter the 2025 college football season, they will need plenty of help from their cast to rebound from last year’s disappointing performance. One group that must step up is the defensive line. And being led by Devan Thompkins, USC has a chance to completely change the dynamic this year.
USC Football: Who is Devan Thompkins?
You don’t have to wait too long before hearing about Devan Thompkins for the USC Trojans. The redshirt junior out of Edison High School in Stockton, California, put up career numbers in 2024 appearing in 13 games (six starts) on the defensive line.
Thompkins recorded 24 tackles, including 2.5 TFL (with 1.5 sacks) along with three pass breakups last year. At first glance, those numbers don’t scream “elite”. However, it’s the first steps towards lighting the fuse to a fireworks show.
New Coach, New Expectations
The reason why Thompkins numbers don’t jump off the page is due to a few factors. First, and arguably most important, is that last season was their first year under new defensive line coach, Eric Henderson.
Henderson or “Henny” as his players admiringly refer to him as, is an old-school type of coach that Lynn cherrypicked from the Los Angeles Rams. There, he worked with some of the most feared defensive players the National Football League has ever seen. Specifically, future Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion, Aaron Donald.
Henderson coaches demands his players invest in the type of smashmouth football that instills fear in opposing offenses. Placing an emphasis on physicality, motor and effort.
“If you have those things then you can be coachable. As well as a desire to continue learning the game of football.” Coach Henny told reporters at 2024 Media Day.
A Bigger, Badder Defensive Line
Last year, it seemed like Thompkins found himself on the receiving end of more double teams than not. Yet this year, with a bigger and more physical supporting cast (as well as his own physical improvements), he should find himself in positions where opposing offensive linemen can’t afford to solely focus on him. That should free him up to more isolated situations.
His supporting cast is a vastly improved unit. One of which, is 6-foot-6, 270- pound four-star freshman, Jahkeem Stewart. Stewart is a top contender to be one of the most impactful freshmen in the nation in 2025. The Louisiana native was one of the most sought after recruits of his class, and if you take a couple minutes to watch his highlight tape, you’ll understand why.
In addition to Stewart are a pair of menacing disruptors in Keeshawn Silver and Jamaal Jarrett. Silver, a former five-star recruit, comes in at 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, who signed with North Carolina in the 2021 cycle. He played two seasons with the Tar Heels before transferring to Kentucky. There, he appeared 24 games, including 23 starts over the last two seasons.
In fact, it was Silver who was trying to recruit Jarrett to the team so they could play together.
“When I was at North Carolina I was recruiting him,” Silver said. “So to get him here, to actually play with him for once, been trying to do it forever, just to play with him for my last year it really meant a lot.”
Silver, at 6-foot-4, 331 pounds and Jarrett, at 6-foot-5, 349 pounds are two massive individuals on the interior of the defensive line that will be tough to move.
Rounding out the bruisers is Texas-raised early-enrollee, Gus Cordova. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Cordova has proven to be an elite edge rusher. He racked up 18.5 sacks in his senior season at Lake Tavis high school in Austin, Texas. Although the freshman will look to add some weight to his frame, he should fit in nicely and look to make an immediate impact with the other dawgs on this defensive line.
USC Defensive Line Key to Trojans Success in 2025
The USC Trojans defense took a big leap forward last year after hiring former crosstown rival, UCLA’s defensive coordinator, D’Anton Lynn. Lynn’s impact was immediately on display for the Bruins as they ranked No. 1 defensively in the Pac-12 conference in 2023, and Lincoln Riley saw that first hand as Lynn’s defense held Riley’s Trojans to just three rushing yards in a 38-20 win by the Bruins. The LA Times would call it “An informal interview”, and at the end of the season, Riley hired Lynn to give the struggling USC defense a much needed revamp.
Now, one year into Lynn’s tenure at USC and the proof is in the pudding. Riley’s bet on Lynn has undeniably been a success, taking the Trojans from allowing 34.9 points and 432.8 total yards in 2023 (T-123, 119 in FBS) to 24.1 points allowed and 377.1 total yards allowed. These totals resulted in the Trojans finishing last season ranked No. 58 in total defense in the FBS.
Ready to Fight (on)
The Trojans are clearly making the right moves to return to the superiority fans were so accustomed to seeing in the 2000s. It’s safe to say that USC will be serious contenders for the Big 10 championship title, and could possibly make a run for the National Championship next January.
Yet one thing is for certain. This defensive line led by Devan Thompkins and company will be a force to be reckoned with; and it’ll all be on display August 30 at the Coliseum versus Missouri State.
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Huck
Name's Huck and I'm an LA native with an interest in all things sports/culture. When I'm not writing about sports you can probably find me tossin a ball, workin with my mitts or havin a laugh somewhere between Altadena and San Pedro. Not a big fan of footwear.