More so than any departing USC player — more so than a lot of current players — the Trojans love to talk about Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, the 25-year-old defensive tackle transfer who became one of the defense’s best players last season.
Tu’ikolovatu is mentioned several times in interviews during spring ball.
One reason is that Tu’ikolovatu was popular in the locker room, a mellow, married man among rowdy teens. But the bigger concern: Tu’ikolovatu was an essential piece on the defense. And USC is still figuring out how to replace him.
The Trojans are deeper at defensive line this season.