Helium Boys Podcast: Previewing USC's defense for 2026 spring camp

Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino return to the microphones with a little twist to their typical format as they take on previews for USC's upcoming 2026 spring camp, which begins on Tuesday. Part 2 takes on the defense.  The boys of Helium skip on the pleasantries and jump straight into the spring preview of the defensive side in the following order: specialists, defensive tackles, defensive ends, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.  USC's defense is full of questions as Hall of Fame head coach Gary Patterson takes over the coordinator duties. Though he uses a similar 4-2-5 defense to what the Trojans frequently used under former defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, what personnel will Patterson prefer and utilize in each of those 11 defensive positions. That's one of the things that makes this spring so intriguing as we yearn to decipher exactly what Patterson and his defensive coaching staff may be looking for from each position. The spring defense also presents some interesting opportunities for some of the youngsters, including the freshman from the No. 1-ranked recruiting class, because of some injuries that will keep some expected starters from being full participants. Who will step up amongst the young players? And who will show the biggest improvements from the returners?