Photo by Rick Kimball/ISD
Notre Dame Football
ND Vs...USC DE Porter Gustin
May 24, 2017
4,170
Scouting is partially about what a player is good at now, but scouting high school kids is far more about projection. It matters more what the player can become as a 19-22 year old than what he is when he is 17.
USC's Porter Gustin is a perfect example of that. A star quarterback and middle linebacker in high school, he was likely destined to play as an edge defender in college. That's where the Trojans slotted in the former 5 star recruit shortly after he arrived on campus.
After a good freshman season as a mostly situational pass rusher, he's grown into one of the better overall edge defenders in college football. His sack numbers stayed the same (5.5 as both a freshman and sophomore), but his overall play and production increased. He recorded 68 tackles, 13 of them for loss, and 4 pass breakups last season. He'll more than likely improve on those numbers as a junior.
Left tackle Mike McGlinchey did a good job against Gustin when they matched up last season, but McGlinchey and whoever is at right tackle will have their hands full when they go up against Gustin this October. He's going to make them work on every play.
It sounds strange to say about a guy who has such a good motor, but Gustin is a very disciplined backside defender. He doesn't take chances when he shouldn't and knows when to stay home and defend the boot. He rarely gets caught out position and is quick enough with diagnosing plays to make an impact while still making sure his job is done.
This play against Washington is a great example of that. It might seem as simple as him being unblocked here, but many ends will crash down the line when they see that block from the tackle in front of him.
He steps down with it, but then immediately comes off to attack the quarterback and stuff the pass.
Technically he may be an outside linebacker, but he might as well be a defensive end. What he does in USC's defense isn't all that different than what Daelin Hayes is going to be asked to do in Notre Dame's defense. He plays a position that is very similar to the Drop position in Mike Elko's defense.
Sometimes he'll play in coverage, but mostly he is going to be rushing the passer. I didn't see an elite pass rusher yet based on him going up against USC, Utah, and Notre Dame last season. He can sometimes get too caught up with his man and needs to develop more counters.
But he is a very good one. He also shows the traits to bend and dip to quarterback as well as a nice stab move when he converts speed to power just like he did against Trey Adams, a projected first round pick in next year's NFL Draft.
Throw that in with him never quitting on the play and his sack numbers don't reflect how good he is or can be. Washington chipped him a lot with a back to help out their tackles and Notre Dame might think of doing the same when he is matched up against Tommy Kraemer and or Liam Eichenberg.
Notre Dame fans might not like him because he plays for the enemy, but anyone who loves football has to appreciate how hard he plays. He is around the football a lot and is an all-out effort player.
This particular play against Notre Dame he not only shows great hustle, but tremendous athleticism to get back and chase down Josh Adams on this screen. He probably screwed up by not peeling off and picking up Adams right away, but he made up for it after.
McGlinchey did a good job against Gustin overall, but was beat for a pressure late in the game. There can be no let up against Gustin or he is going to take advantage of it.
Gustin is a player without many weaknesses. He is a strong all-around football player and can handle tight ends quite easily at the point of attack.
The best way for Notre Dame's offense to deal with him? Probably to run opposite him as much as possible and chip him whenever they get a chance as pass rusher. He's not as twitchy as Boston College's Harold Landry, but he is more consistent from play to play.
USC's Porter Gustin is a perfect example of that. A star quarterback and middle linebacker in high school, he was likely destined to play as an edge defender in college. That's where the Trojans slotted in the former 5 star recruit shortly after he arrived on campus.
After a good freshman season as a mostly situational pass rusher, he's grown into one of the better overall edge defenders in college football. His sack numbers stayed the same (5.5 as both a freshman and sophomore), but his overall play and production increased. He recorded 68 tackles, 13 of them for loss, and 4 pass breakups last season. He'll more than likely improve on those numbers as a junior.
Left tackle Mike McGlinchey did a good job against Gustin when they matched up last season, but McGlinchey and whoever is at right tackle will have their hands full when they go up against Gustin this October. He's going to make them work on every play.
Disciplined defender
It sounds strange to say about a guy who has such a good motor, but Gustin is a very disciplined backside defender. He doesn't take chances when he shouldn't and knows when to stay home and defend the boot. He rarely gets caught out position and is quick enough with diagnosing plays to make an impact while still making sure his job is done.
This play against Washington is a great example of that. It might seem as simple as him being unblocked here, but many ends will crash down the line when they see that block from the tackle in front of him.
He steps down with it, but then immediately comes off to attack the quarterback and stuff the pass.
Linebacker in name only
Technically he may be an outside linebacker, but he might as well be a defensive end. What he does in USC's defense isn't all that different than what Daelin Hayes is going to be asked to do in Notre Dame's defense. He plays a position that is very similar to the Drop position in Mike Elko's defense.
Sometimes he'll play in coverage, but mostly he is going to be rushing the passer. I didn't see an elite pass rusher yet based on him going up against USC, Utah, and Notre Dame last season. He can sometimes get too caught up with his man and needs to develop more counters.
But he is a very good one. He also shows the traits to bend and dip to quarterback as well as a nice stab move when he converts speed to power just like he did against Trey Adams, a projected first round pick in next year's NFL Draft.
Throw that in with him never quitting on the play and his sack numbers don't reflect how good he is or can be. Washington chipped him a lot with a back to help out their tackles and Notre Dame might think of doing the same when he is matched up against Tommy Kraemer and or Liam Eichenberg.
Can't knock the hustle
Notre Dame fans might not like him because he plays for the enemy, but anyone who loves football has to appreciate how hard he plays. He is around the football a lot and is an all-out effort player.
This particular play against Notre Dame he not only shows great hustle, but tremendous athleticism to get back and chase down Josh Adams on this screen. He probably screwed up by not peeling off and picking up Adams right away, but he made up for it after.
McGlinchey did a good job against Gustin overall, but was beat for a pressure late in the game. There can be no let up against Gustin or he is going to take advantage of it.
Gustin is a player without many weaknesses. He is a strong all-around football player and can handle tight ends quite easily at the point of attack.
The best way for Notre Dame's offense to deal with him? Probably to run opposite him as much as possible and chip him whenever they get a chance as pass rusher. He's not as twitchy as Boston College's Harold Landry, but he is more consistent from play to play.
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