Braylon Conley and Marcelles Williams are ready to patrol the USC football secondary

The secondary appears to have a pair of USC football players ready to step up for the 2025 season. As redshirt freshmen, Braylon Conley and Marcelles Williams are looking to use their college experience from last year in an increased role. Naturally, the jump from high school to college is a major one, but after a full 12 months in the program, things tend to start to settle down, and their play starts to mature in front of everyone's eyes.

Playing cornerback in the Big Ten is about more than being able to shut down opposing wide receivers, although that part is a given. Being able to read the coverages and react to quick bubble screens or outside run plays and keep gains on the CB's respective side minimal is equally important for BIG secondary members.

People often talk about the battle in the trenches, but the fight that happens on the perimeter can be equally fierce and prove to be just as important as what the big boys up front do. For Conley and Williams, who will be expected to take a number of significant snaps this year, they are ready for the challenge.

On X, Conley posted a picture of the two USC football teammates with a 'Zach n Cody' caption. The two Trojans could be seen coming together on the field with all smiles, likely after winning a rep, serving as a preview for what is about to be commonplace on television this fall.

Strengths of the USC football CBs

From their high school footage, Conley is excellent at reading the offenses and being completely disruptive before the play even has a chance to get going. In terms of getting physical and into the chest of the ball carrier after shedding the blocker, he does well in setting the tone on his side of the field.

Equally willing to establish himself on defense, Williams can also read the quarterback's eyes and track the ball at a high level. QBs may look his way early on, but it should surprise Trojan fans when opposing offensive coordinators have to go to their second line of attack when they see what throwing in his direction entails.

Lincoln Riley is building this USC football team the right way. With carryovers such as Williams and Conley in the secondary, both units will be able to show improvement and flip some of last year's losses into wins.