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USC is looking for hunters as they gather talent on defensive line

Vic So’oto has spent a lot of time this spring talking about culture. So much, it seems, his defensive linemen can recite his credo on command.

“Tuli,” the USC assistant said, addressing the young defensive lineman who joined him during a Thursday morning videoconference. “What’s your job on the defensive line?”

“To establish the violent, physical nature of football through relentless effort, both immovable and unstoppable, we do not chase, we hunt,” the sophomore recited on cue, as if the answer had been hard-wired into his brain.

That’s the kind of programming So’oto had hoped to get started this time last year, before the pandemic derailed plans.