USC DT Keeshawn Silver ready to lead and dominate in Big Ten battles

It will only be for one year at USC, but Keeshawn Silver is ready to make the most of it. With prior stops at Kentucky and North Carolina, the defensive tackle offers something of a veteran presence in the Trojans' locker room.

Now ready to solidly line play in coach D'Anton Lynn's defense, Silver knows what's expected of him this fall. He'll be tasked with clogging up the opposing offenses and getting into the backfield to either force a fumble or sack the quarterback.

That's individually, though. Certainly, Silver will have team goals for himself, and he is pushing to improve as a player in his own right before taking the next jump. Within the team, he offers perhaps an even more important function.

Silver is a leader and someone the younger players on the team can turn to. Experienced and knowledgeable of the game, having been in college for four years already, there is a lot that he brings to the table that others can learn from and benefit from in exchanging film notes on.

Every team needs someone like Silver who can be the savvy vet, a coach on the field and in preparation. Of course the coaching staff will play their part in shaping the program. When the learning and push for excellence are internal, among the players, those coaching points and emphases are only that much more enhanced.

Expected to start at his nose tackle position this year, Silver should be in a great position to do what he intends to prove on the line this year. At 6'4" and 331 lbs., he has been an exciting portal addition for USC.

Players like Silver are the backbone for the upcoming 2025 USC season

It's known how important the battle in the trenches is anyway. With that in mind, it becomes that much more important when playing in the Big Ten. Coach Lincoln Riley knows that he needs to start adding wins on the board.

That can come this season. Players like Silver, borrowing from their past experiences, continuing to grow, and filling any areas of need on this current Trojan roster, and USC could be among one of the better BIG teams when the 2025 season finishes out.