It is clear the USC Trojans have a star in defensive lineman Jide Abasiri. Against Fresno State, he had yet another game in which he wreaked havoc on the opposing offense's backfield. Abasiri has been a disruptor. However, one thing that is getting overlooked is that Alex VanSumeren has fueled Abasiri's early rise.
Transfer defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren was my unsung hero of the Fresno State game. His production has looked quiet in comparison to Abasiri and other defensive tackles. However, exactly what he was brought in to do, he has done and then some. VanSumeren has been eating double teams and freeing up space for his running mate Abasiri to feast. VanSumeren has also freed up the Trojans' talented linebacker to roam free and make plays.
VanSumeren finished the game against Fresno State with 2 total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. His impact goes way further than his stats. He is setting the tone in stopping the run, and he is elevating the entire defensive line. VanSumeren played a huge part in the Trojans holding the Bulldogs to just 39 yards on the ground.
VanSumeren quickly became one of the Trojans' captains for this season, and that is looking like the right move already 2 games in. The production will come for VanSumeren, but it is hard not to ignore how pivotal he has been in the Trojans ' improvement against the run.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC's Alex VanSumeren is an underrated defensive performer
