Amid USC’s Struggles, Desman Stephens II Is Showing His Value

The USC Trojans disappointing 24-7 loss to Wisconsin offered few reasons for optimism, particularly with the Trojans struggling to generate offense and watching their College Football Playoff aspirations take another significant hit.

However, one defensive player continues to demonstrate why he has become an important piece of USC’s future.

Linebacker Desman Stephens II has quietly developed into one of the Trojans’ more dependable defenders, combining physicality, versatility and improved tackling to establish himself within USC’s defensive rotation.

His performance Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium provided another example.

Stephens led USC with eight tackles, including six solo stops, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

The sophomore’s contributions helped limit Wisconsin to just 200 yards of total offense, including 58 passing yards, despite the Badgers controlling the scoreboard.

One of Stephens’ most important plays came early in the first quarter.

After Wisconsin intercepted Jayden Maiava and inherited possession at USC’s 17-yard line, the Trojans needed their defense to prevent an early touchdown.

Stephens delivered.

On third-and-eight, Stephens broke up Colton Joseph’s pass intended for Jacob Harris, forcing Wisconsin to settle for a 33-yard field goal.

It was a small victory within a disappointing evening, but it demonstrated Stephens’ ability to respond when USC needed a defensive stop.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Stephens earned a 74.3 overall defensive grade against Wisconsin, including a 75.1 mark against the run and a 74.9 coverage grade.

His production extended beyond traditional tackling statistics.

Through seven appearances, Stephens has recorded 36 tackles (22 solo), with just three missed tackles across 294 defensive snaps.

His 8.1% missed-tackle rate represents an improvement from 2025, when he missed 11 tackles and finished with a 10.2% missed-tackle rate.

That improvement is particularly noteworthy considering Stephens played 712 defensive snaps last season, establishing himself as a regular contributor in USC’s defense.

His overall defensive grade has climbed from 64.6 in 2025 to 70.1 this season, while his run-defense grade has improved from 52.7 to 75.8.

The progression suggests a linebacker becoming more comfortable diagnosing plays, maintaining his assignments and finishing tackles.

However, Stephens’ season has not been without controversy.

During USC’s September loss to Oregon, Stephens was ejected for targeting following a late hit on quarterback Dante Moore, who suffered a concussion.

Stephens subsequently drew criticism for celebrating while Moore received medical attention.

USC suspended Stephens for one game, and the linebacker publicly apologized, acknowledging that his reaction was inappropriate.

The incident represented a significant lapse in judgment and remains part of his 2026 story.

His subsequent performances have provided an opportunity to demonstrate his value through disciplined execution, although improvement on the field does not erase what happened against Oregon.

For USC, Stephens’ continued development carries considerable importance.

The Trojans have experienced defensive inconsistencies throughout the season, but individual performances like his offer encouragement about the talent available within the program.

Wisconsin exposed areas USC must address, particularly its inability to prevent lengthy scoring drives despite limiting explosive plays.

Nevertheless, Stephens demonstrated that he can contribute against both the run and pass while providing reliable tackling.

The next challenge is consistency.

USC needs Stephens to build upon his recent performances while maintaining the discipline expected of a defensive leader.

The Trojans might not have received the outcome they wanted against Wisconsin, but Stephens provided another indication that his development is moving in the right direction.