A fourth linebacker released off the line can more easily pursue the football on outside runs and defend quick passes on the edge. It took a toll on our bodies, Locke said. Thats what practice is about. Figueroa had a breakout 2020 season and since then has added 15 pounds of muscle to give himself the flexibility to line up at his natural defensive end position or slide inside to play tackle. Continue reading Attacking the Tite Front. The use of small ball to counteract the space created by Spread offenses is understandable. After that hell usually return to the picture one last time before moving to the board to draw different concepts out of the same look. Stanley, he has natural mobility. The Longhorns seemed to never really find a home base on defense. Take a look at those QBs 2017 season, youd see their matchup with Texas as a low-end outlier amid exceptional overall campaigns. Were not going to know the answer to that question until Nov. 7, but Todd Orlando seems very confident this defense will have everything straightforward and understood., Sign up for the Trojans Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. One it has practiced against every day for months. The more you put in, the more you get out.. Stilleto Boy wins the Santa Anita Handicap for trainer Ed Moger Jr. Sierra Canyon girls basketball team is two wins away from perfect season, Practical Move gives trainer Tim Yakteen a win in the San Felipe Stakes, Sam Farmers crystal ball: NFL mock draft 2023 version 1.0, UCLAs freshmen living up to the hype, carry Bruins into Pac-12 title game. Theyre the best in the country. Texas run defense didnt suffer in that time either. 20 Southern California, however, has been different because of the coronavirus pandemic. Theres no backside meetings. It wasnt all about the front either, the use of Match 3 (Rip/Liz) and the rebirth/redesign of the (Dime) Tampa 2, was a big contributor to how teams attacked the Longhorns, Cyclones, and Bulldogs. He is the defensive coordinator at the University of South Florida . When you get players who can make throws and can run, you have to be mindful, Orlando told reporters on Wednesday morning. I love TO hes one of the smartest defensive minds I ever played for.. Drake Jackson, who spent last season as more of a strict defensive end, shed 25 pounds and shifted into a hybrid linebacker role. Herald-Times. Defenses in the Leauge were getting scored on at a historic rate. 20 Southern California, however, has been different because of the coronavirus pandemic. USC defense has different feel in camp after full offseason Due to the pandemic, USC was unable to implement new defensive coordinator Todd Orlando's scheme in person before the 2020 season, so players were learning on the fly as they prepared for the delayed season. This season has not gone according to plan for anybody, especially the defense, and major changes will be headed USCs way. Toughness is for naught if the player and coach relationship isnt strong enough to offset those consistent practice blows. Continue reading Simulated Pressures From a Positionless Defense (2019 Sugar Bowl). Todd Orlando will finally see his USC defense in action It has been an awful showing for USCs defense, and the coaching has to be the sole reason for the blame. Sean McVay and his 11 personnel under center (UTC) offense has taken over the league en route to a Super Bowl appearance. Antonio Morales covers USC football for The Athletic. However, although Hill called Orlandos scheme gimmicky, thats not really true Baylor and Iowa State both had highly productive defenses in 2019 with similar schemes. But players say Orlandos greatest strength is the ability to break down complicated concepts into digestible pieces. Arizona, the Trojans opponent this weekend, had its first game canceled, so its difficult to predict what the offense will look like, but USC can probably expect a heavy dose of running back Gary Brightwell, who is stepping in to replace the departed J.J. Taylor. Texas removed what would often be a disadvantaged linebacker in pass coverage and added a dime safety as a robber in the middle of the defense. So no matter the look, USCs run defense needs to get better. Orlando has 15 years of experience as a collegiate defensive coordinator in total, with previous stops at Florida International and Connecticut. Sign up for the Trojans Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Todd Orlando seems very confident that the extra time they were afforded to work on film, to work on installing that scheme, really did help them. Yet, because of the way the Longhorns fly to the ball, it doesnt much matter that the numbers are pushed back. The two DEs (4is) in the B gaps close off the lifeline for every Spread team, the conflict gaps. The Spread offense has touched every corner of college football. The result was a hurried throw from Daniels, an incompletion on fourth down, and a victory for USC. FAU's defense ranked 50th in the country in 2019.In 2021 FAU's defense had its up and downs, ranking 99th against the pass, 75th against the run, and 86th overall, but was in the top 50 in scoring defense. The defense made the final stand to seal the victory, but it also gave up some big plays and surrendered 258 rushing yards to the Sun Devils. Texas goal is to play fast on defense, forcing opposing QB to play slow. Because nobody will throw the ball on you, theyll just run it. By Coachlamons @nukeit1981 Dec. USC needs more size, speed and athleticism at every level of its defense. Orlando has also recently had stops at Texas (2017-2019), Houston(2015-2016), and Utah State (2013-2014). Orlando is now a handsomely paid football coach, in his third year as the Texas defensive coordinator having progressed up the career coaching ladder, from Penn to UConn to FIU to Utah State to. But returning veterans on the roster like safety Isaiah Pola-Mao and defensive end Nick Figueroa have made a point of helping the young players come along and be ready to contribute in 2021. USC's Todd Orlando encouraged by progress in defensive scheme - Los Lincoln RileyandKliff Kingsburycome from the Air Raid tree, but their systems look quite different in the same way Kansas States pro-style, option-heavy scheme varies from Oklahoma States spread. 3 Kansas in 75-59 win. But when the Trojans needed Jackson the most, they turned him loose and let him do what he does best at the end of the game: rush the passer. For most of training camp, Jackson was limited by a hamstring issue, which caused some worry for Orlando, who thought the lack of reps might impact the edge rushers tackling. Orlando is known run the 3-3-5 defense, which has grown in popularity in college football with the evolution of the spread offense. Visit our online store to order your copyto get more in-depth analysis on the 2018 season. After leaving FIU, Orlando went north to coach Utah State, where their defense ranked 7th and 12th in scoring defense during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, respectively. Todd Orlando sees USC defense as work in progress USC defense showed positive signs in opening win over ASU Coach Todd Orlando of the USC Trojans during USC football practice at the. Then well get an idea of what the defense is truly capable of after losing contributors like DT Marlon Tuipulotu, CB Olaijah Griffin and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Talanoa Hufanga. You hear about soggy eggs and burnt toast, but its the pad popping thats the real story of these daily efforts. Theyve been physical in the run game but they all kind of complement each other.. Since then, the USC defense has been getting torched time and time again, with their worst performance arguably against Oregon State as the Beavers ran for over 300 yards to upset them in Los Angeles. Todd Orlando - Football Coach - USC Athletics The reason for this is the design of Orlando's defense, which favors speed over size at the middle linebacker position. Last. Is USC defense ready to take a leap in Year 2, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). He has a system that allows his talented players to play freely, said Baylor head coachMatt Rhule. You have pass rushers out there, TaQuon Graham, Marqez Bimage, Joe Ossai guys that can get after the quarterback. But for now Orlando is sticking around in Austin to work with Herman. After Utah State, Orlando made his way to Houston for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, where the Cougars were top 30 in scoring defense and sacks both seasons he was there. Todd Orlando, defensive coordinator, Houston. They also began to move Hager into different alignments that made the most of his ability to drop into coverage or work around the edge in conjunction with his ability and willingness to crash into tackles from an inside alignment. This is where the separation begins.. We continue to progress in the pass, Orlando said of the group. I think hes in line to have a terrific year and have one of those elite years, head coach Clay Helton said of Taylor-Stuart. We just had to learn to embrace it, and now we look forward to it.. That wasnt happening before Hermans arrival in Austin. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Locke. Todd Orlando was announced as USC's defensive coordinator Friday, ending a lengthy search for Clancy Pendergast 's replacement that had dragged into its fourth week. Theres a little bit of schematics into it. 3 Kansas. Drake Jackson will man the hybrid outside backer position again this season. Texas special assistant to the head coach Gary Patterson stepping down from role. Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers. Then, facing the ultra-explosive Oklahoma State offense, he made a big change to his defensive structure that probably revolutionized his own philosophy and perhaps changed prevailing best practices across the college game from here on out. Texas blows lead against Cal State Fullerton in 6-5 loss. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Want to keep up with all the latest FAU football and recruiting news? Get full team. Its really hard to screw up a run play. Written by Ian Boyd (@Ian_A_Boyd)for Athlon Sports. Heres the cool part about this, every night after practice we watch every rep of every play that we have. The 404 alignment does several things for the box: 1) the offensive line cant climb because of the 4is, and 2) it frees up at least one of the inside linebackers (if not both). Phone. He also spent two years covering preps for the Orange County Register and Torrance Daily Breeze. Its OKto fail, man. Arizona State realized that early, and its two main running backs, DeaMonte Trayanum and Rachaad White, rushed 24 times for 160 yards against USC. 3. Texas finished 7-5 and Orlando was fired as part of a staff overhaul. So its difficult to judge just how good the defense truly is at this point. Todd Orlandoremembers feeling bad forTom Herman. football@usc.edu. Fail big.. Hes at his best when hes trying to get into the backfield, and thats what he was mainly asked to do on Saturday. That safety, last year played by the hard-hittingJason Hall, helped support the run defending on his read. Its a testament to what a normal offseason has done for second-year coordinator Todd Orlando and his ability to install the defense and instill the mentality he wants from his players. It comes as no surprise that in a league that is at the forefront of the evolution of the Spread would feature unique defenses within the league to counter the offensive onslaught. When youre giving up that many rushing yards, thats not a good thing with us, Orlando said. One question I am asking to college football experts is this: Should Todd Orlando emphasize complexity of scheme or simplicity of scheme against Jayden Daniels and the Sun Devils on Saturday? This positionless style of play allows hybrid players, primarily at linebacker and defensive back, to play a larger role. "We are excited to have. On the back end, Orlando typically employs a quarters coverage that allows his defensive backs to break aggressively to the football while preventing big plays. Herman isnt shy about issuing compliments to his defensive lieutenant. The notion that the Big 12 doesnt play defense is false. How you practice around here is going to be how many reps you get, Orlando said. Herman starts most practices with a variation of the circle drill (essentially a one-on-one meeting in a small space that Herman calls out one by one) to ramp up the energy. Orlando used it during his media availability on Wednesday, too. He was also inheriting a schedule that included Sam Darnold and USC, Jesse Ertz and Kansas State, Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma, Mason Rudolph and Oklahoma State, Kenny Hill and TCU, Will Grier and West Virginia and ultimately Drew Lock and Missouri -- essentially, some of the cream of the crop in terms of modern spread offense and spread quarterbacking. If that sounds like thinking, its because it is. Hermans old college buddy,Dave Aranda, recommended Orlando highly Orlando took over as DC at Utah State when Aranda, now at LSU, went to Wisconsin. Lack of preparation, scheme and just overall performance is all tied in, but it hasnt been a good effort whatsoever. You get those guys in the program, they make us all look great. The Chargers based out of it for a whole game! The defensive line lost more bodies in the offseason when Jacob Lichtenstein opted out of the season, and it was announced that Trevor Trouts season (and possibly his career) would be over with a back injury. Adam Grosbard covers USC athletics for the Orange County Register and Southern California News Group. No. Todd Orlando was announced as USCs defensive coordinator Friday, ending a lengthy search for Clancy Pendergasts replacement that had dragged into its fourth week. On several occasions, the Trojans walked a safety up into the box, mainly Talanoa Hufanga, in order to have seven players near the line of scrimmage for run support. Texas would not allow more than 29 points the rest of the season in regulation. Among current players, defensive end TaQuon Graham was something close to ecstatic about the potential for rushing the quarterback in Ashs defense following the Alamo Bowl win over Utah. In Orlandos scheme, the Mike is the plugger and will go away from the Nose. Greg Johnson is the veteran returner at nickel back. Today will be the day, Orlando said Wednesday morning. Owl fans had seen this defensive scheme recently when defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer coached FAU in 2019 as part of the 11-3 Conference USA and Boca Bowl championship season. "I feel like I need to take some time for my wife, kids and grandkids while also looking to see if I can help college football on a larger scale," Patterson told Horns247. The offseason plan was to mold Jefferson into the next star rover for Orlando, but circumstances over the course of the season resulted in Jefferson moving to the "mac" position to make room for fellow speedster and junior college transfer Gary Johnson. The Cyclones used the Dime look as their base defense for the entire season, leading to victories over high-powered offenses like Oklahoma (#1 in BCfToys Offensive Efficiency) and Memphis (#16). A simplified picture combined with an athletic QB who could improvise if things got hairy made the spread offense absolutely deadly. There has been a critical error on this website. In the NFL, the increasing use of 11 pers. Herman clearly agrees. The Trojans considered other candidates before settling on Orlando, even getting as far as discussing the parameters of a potential contract with Rams linebackers coach Joe Barry. in the 80s, most NFL defenses also carry a hybrid DE, regardless if basing out of a three or four-down defense. 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And as Saturday showed, thats a group with a long way to go. Texas vs Oklahoma: Can DC Todd Orlando slow Jalen Hurts? - Sports Los Angeles Times USC beat writer Ryan Kartje offered this extended answer: Its important to remind everyone listening that I havent actually seen Todd Orlandos defense other than one practice during the spring Weve seen it all over the country that these offenses are running roughshod over defenses. Figueroa served as the single down lineman and was joined on the line of scrimmage by Jackson, Echols and one USCs more traditional linebackers, either Ralen Goforth or Palaie Gaoteote. Get your first month for $1. When Tom Herman hired Todd Orlando to be his defensive coordinator at the University of Houston, Herman was looking for a coach who could teach the kind of defense that always gave him fits. Ryan Kartje is the USC beat writer at the Los Angeles Times. There are a lot of questions about how the Trojans offensive line will perform, but having Brett Neilon at center and Alijah Vera-Tucker at left tackle should help. At Texas, Orlando was inheriting a linebacker crew that was long on talent and exceptionally short on know-how. The odd front (three defenders) gave Orlando flexibility. The Iowa St. Cyclones rose from #103 in 2016 to a respectable #32in BCfToys efficiency rankings in 2017. Orlando, 48, spent the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Texas, where he was one of the highest paid assistants in college football. Defensive coach Todd Orlando of the Texas Longhorns reacts during play against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second . In fact, they often had little to no idea how to defend the run in Texas' exotic defenses, and the Longhorns were regularly trashed by teams with multiple run games that could cause confusion. Some offense will come out and run the triple-option, which is really different and as a defense really strains us, Orlando said. In fact, Gary Johnson and Anthony Wheeler combined for 10.5 sacks, nearly a third of the teams total. With one of the pass-rushing outside linebackers replaced by a nickel DB, the defense is left with only a single edge rusher on the field (the B-backer in Orlando's defense). - Grier hurt himself early in the contest against Texas, but Locks 52.9 completion rate in the Texas Bowl was one of his worst of the year. But structurally, in our opinion, its still so sound.. Through spring and summer, the physical, hard-nosed brand of defense Todd Orlando promised to bring to USC remained strictly theoretical. Every week is a challenge. Thats in large part due to the variance of the offensive minds. Its very unique, added Texas senior safetyP.J. Echols was the extra linebacker who came onto the field in those scenarios. No scheme change, but Texas D likely to be bigger in Alamo Bowl - Horns247 Herman brought Orlando along with him to Texas, where a brilliant Year 1 netted the Longhorns defensive coordinator a raise to $1.7 million per year through the 2021 season. 16.2ASU19.6Washington21.8Oregon23.0Utah23.2OSU23.8Colorado24.8WSU26.5UCLA27.0Stanford27.3USC27.6Cal31.6Arizona, SportsPac12 (@SportsPac12) October 10, 2021. But full contact could always force further change. As of Thursday morning, it has apparently filled out the rest of its coaching staffit has apparently filled out the rest of its Orlando's new USC defense set to debut after pandemic delays Texas junior defensive endMalcolm Roachsaid an Orlando film session is everything youd want it to be. That means a detail-oriented outlook focused to the point where Orlando will call out a player for a 12-inch step instead of a 6-inch one. Orlando said he's already adjusted his scheme, which relies on mixed fronts and aggressive blitzing, to fit USC's personnel. LOS ANGELES USCs season-opening 28-27 win over Arizona State offered a glimpse of what first-year defensive coordinator Todd Orlandos defense will look like. The guy could be a linebacker coach. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. You hear about soggy eggs and burnt toast. With Drake Jackson now listed as a linebacker and primarily playing in a standup role, USCs base is essentially a 3-3-5. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Texas OL spring preview: Here are your big humans, Despite recent struggles, bracketology projections still like the Longhorns, Longhorns Daily News: Former Texas HC Charlie Strong joins Alabama, Nick Saban as defensive analyst, Longhorns Daily News: Texas alum Bijan Robinson is toughest player Alabamas Will Andersons played against in college career. Once at Texas, though, Orlando was inheriting a defense with great athletes but disparate pieces that hadn't been put together into a cohesive unit. The defense has numbers and is plus-one on the pulling guard. If that sounds like the start of a football romantic comedy, it isnt you wont find two more hard-nosed personalities than Orlando and Herman. Report: FAU to hire Todd Orlando as defensive coordinator - Owls247.com Their rotation would be a bit deeper, too. I said I understood why we were running what we ran.. that headline is click bate..but Ill learn how to word things differently so my words cant be mixed up. Even former Big 12 Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury got a head coaching job with the Cardinals on nothing more than his offensive acumen. It's a testament to what a normal offseason has done for second-year coordinator Todd Orlando and his ability to install the defense and instill the mentality he wants from his players.. Los Angeles. Lets start with the base defense. After the second day of pads (last spring) we were like, Golly, we havent do this much hitting in a minute. Its just that mental toughness they instill in us. There's no better way to demonstrate that than to look at howTexas defended the run. Schematically, Orlando excels because hes aggressive and prepared. Since L.T. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Thats not to say those seven months were for naught. Tuli Tuipulotu, one of the stars of spring football, brings similar flexibility to the position. Hes a guru, said Texas junior safetyBrandon Jones. However, Willie Taggart and his staff still need to find ready-to-play talent in the secondary as FAU loses four of their top five snap getters from 2021. Is Todd Orlando's Big Picture Coming Into Focus? After holding Oklahoma State to 10 points in regulation, Orlando set about tweaking and retooling the base defense around the 3-2-6 lightning package and the robber coverage. Theres no favoritism. Imagine if this actually happens. Junior Chris Steele was an unquestioned returning starter, whereas it was an open competition for the second job, with Isaac Taylor-Stuart seeming like the leader entering game week. If you go out there and you dont know what youre doing after meeting with someone for seven months, that pretty much explains how much you care, Orlando said. Through spring and summer, the physical, hard-nosed brand of defense Todd Orlando promised to bring to USC remained strictly theoretical. How Todd Orlando's scheme will unleash the Texas LBs Herman knew within 10 minutes of talking with Orlando hed found his defensive coordinator. Before arriving at Utah State in 2013, Orlando traditionally ran a four-down front. How do you get your players to play hard? In 2019, that all fell apart. One question I am asking to college football experts is this: Should Todd Orlando emphasize complexity of scheme or simplicity of scheme against Jayden Daniels and the Sun Devils on Saturday? A Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, Kartje previously wrote for Fox Sports Wisconsin and the Bloomington (Ind.) 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Texas Football: Todd Orlando Is a Cutting-Edge Defensive Coordinator Be sure to follow us on Twitter at: @Owls247, @MarinelliShane, and @TheKevinFielder. If you practice soft, youre going to play soft, Orlando said. USC has officially found the new face of its defense. One was down and distance. Orlando told his team, Its my fault. One of the key subplots to USC's season opener against Arizona State is the performance of the Trojans' defense, more specifically the secondary. Schemes aside, Orlandos defense is built on one thing above all his players flying to the ball. 2. That pair figures to start at the two end positions, with either Jamar Sekona or Stanley Taufoou at tackle. 9 Texas hosts No. Orlando did present Arizona State with several different looks on Saturday. These coaches are the names to know on defense - ESPN.com Before that, his inaugural Utah State defense ranked seventh in points allowed. https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/13/todd-orlandos-defense-has-been-getting-exposed-all-year-long/. Orlando, who last coached defense at Texas, called the virtual install time a blessing in disguise. Even if it might only take his new defense so far. Mason Rudolph, a third-round pick of the Steelers, failed to clear the 300-yard mark only twice in 2017. Find out which 3 #USC players go to the Bears in an NBC Sports Chicago mock draft. For instance, before the snap he might show a field overload to induce an audible from the offense only to drop those players back and bring the overload from the boundary: These styles of blitzes can really mess up an offense's protections, option reads, passing progressions or blocking schemes, but they have their own vulnerabilities, in particular the man coverage the defense tends to play behind them. But that moratorium on full-contact practice was lifted Wednesday, finally offering Orlando a long-awaited glimpse of what his USC defense is made of. Simulated Pressures From a Positionless Defense (2019 Sugar Bowl), on Simulated Pressures From a Positionless Defense (2019 Sugar Bowl), View @matchquarterss profile on Instagram, Simulated Pressures From a Positionless Defense (2019 Sugar Bowl), article discussing how teams attack the Tite Front, Georgia and Texas used the front and similar coverage schemes as a base, BCfToys.coms top 10 in Defensive Efficiency, Using an EXIT stunt to combat a zone heavy offense.