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It was still just the first quarter of his first college football game at USC when Luke Wafle offered a first glimpse of his staggering potential. The freshman defensive end tossed aside a San Jose State tackle with one swift move, then steamrolled a running back standing in his way. In the process, San Jose State’s quarterback was forced from the pocket and Wafle, now sprinting from the other direction, nearly forced a safety.
It would’ve been an eye-opening sequence for any pass rusher, let alone a true freshman. But at USC, those who have watched Wafle for months now say it’s basically what they’ve come to expect from the Trojans’ top defensive prospect.
“He’s a very special player,” said linebacker Desman Stephens II.
“Probably the most talented freshman I’ve gone against in my time here at USC,” said left tackle Elijah Paige.
“Just a beast on the field,” added defensive tackle Floyd Boucard. “He doesn’t play like a freshman.”
Wafle played just 23 snaps in his first game, but he made the most of them. He was the Trojans’ highest-graded defender, according to Pro Football Focus, with two pressures on 13 pass rushes and two stops on the other 10 in the victory.
USC coach Lincoln Riley said criticism of the Trojan’s home opener crowd is being lobbed by people who haven’t been to games at the Coliseum.
And when USC takes on Fresno State on Friday night, chances are he’ll get even more reps to wreak havoc.
“A young man like that brings a lot of excitement on the other side of the field,” defensive tackle Kameryn Crawford said with a smile.
He called it “a crazy feeling” just to play along the defensive front with Wafle.
The freshman’s presence alone should help change the trajectory of a Trojan defensive line that’s fallen short of expectations the last few seasons under coach Lincoln Riley. USC’s top pass rusher from a year ago (Crawford) had 5 1/2 sacks last season, while no one outside of Tuli Tuipulotu has had more than 6 1/2 in a single season under Riley at USC.
Wafle might change that this season. That certainly looked like the case last Saturday.
“The thing I liked most about him Saturday is he didn’t hesitate,” Riley said. “He was around the ball. He was around the quarterback. He made some plays for us, obviously, and he was really close to making a bunch of others. And I think that’s just scratching the surface of how good this guy can be.”
