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Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has USC defense engaged, communicating

/ STAFF WRITER

LOS ANGELES – It’s the sweetest noise USC coach Clay Helton can hear: the chatter of his players.

“The two safeties, Leon (McQuay) and Marvell (Tell), are starting to communicate,” Helton said with a grin Thursday. “At one point, I thought they were both mutes, but now they’re talking to each other.”

That’s because Clancy Pendergast demands it. Pendergast mostly thrived as USC’s defensive coordinator in 2013 when he installed a simple but aggressive defense that players seemed to enjoy. Now Pendergast and his communication-heavy system have returned, which has brought a sense of renewal to these spring practices.