Technique over trash talk at cornerback for USC newcomer DJ Harvey

This USC staff is doing an excellent job of retooling this roster and setting themselves up for the upcoming season and future. With their emphasis on high school talent, coach Lincoln Riley still finds good portal pickups to bring to the program. For some areas, finding a veteran for an area of need can often be an immense win-win situation to take advantage of.

The student-athlete wishes to test themselves in their last year of collegiate eligibility, and the team gets someone who should be able to quickly learn the ropes in a new system. DJ Harvey wanted to come home for his redshirt senior season. With prior stops at Virginia Tech and San Jose State, the cornerback brings a lot of good experience to the Trojan secondary.

For a team that gave up 24.1 points per game, including 235.8 yards through the air, they'll look to clean up some areas under coach D'Anton Lynn. It will help to add someone like Harvey to that side of the ball. In his last year with the Spartans, the CB recorded four picks and 40 solo tackles, including two for a loss.

He is someone early on who has shown a strong willingness to get physical during spring camp. His known ball and coverage skills should allow him to keep coach Lynn's options open, depending on what the in-game situation calls for come the fall.

Finding that balance

Being a corner, there needs to be a high level of confidence and certainty in your step. Harvey spoke on toeing that line. Trash-talking, for some, can be an important part of the game. For the redshirt senior, focusing on the fundamentals remains the priority. He explained while speaking with reporters after practice:

"You've got to have that confidence at DB. The technique sound, being polished. You know, a lot of people that talk trash, they just lose the technique; they lose the fundamentals."

It can be a fine line. Even when a secondary player does everything the right way, the play design, ball placement, or an unreal catch can undo perfect defensive placement and hands. Regardless if a player opts for the loud and proud approach or leans more on the silent assassin side, the job is the same.

Especially in the Big Ten, staying solid in coverage is needed. Offenses will often attempt to lull a defense to sleep, only to have a sudden, quick strike that seemingly doesn't come from anywhere. Having someone mature and always on alert, like Harvey, is a must-have for today's USC secondary.