USC’s rising star, Tackett Curtis, has been a great storyline for the Trojans and continues to grow in his role. In an impressive performance against Arizona State, the talented freshman inside linebacker showcased his skills and was recognized as the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week! This well-deserved honor marks a significant milestone in Curtis’ burgeoning career.
on the rise! 😤🔥✌️ @curtis_tackett pic.twitter.com/XrtRv5zQ2B
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) September 25, 2023
With 7 tackles, including 2.0 for a loss of 11 yards, as well as 2.0 sacks for a loss of 11 yards, Curtis left no doubt about his defensive prowess. His contributions have been instrumental in USC’s dominant display this season. The Trojans boast an impressive record and rank first in the nation for tackles for loss (41.0) and third in sacks (16.0).
Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 58.3, but he was given an 80.3 tackling grade and a 70.0 pass-rush grade.
Curtis is making a name for himself as he follows in the footsteps of former Trojan QB Jaxson Dart, who won the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week in Week 3 of the 2021 season. Notably, Curtis is the first defensive freshman from USC to receive this accolade since its inception in 2019. His impact on the team is growing as he continues to learn the defense and become acclimated to the speed of the game at the collegiate level.
This talented linebacker’s journey began at the start of the season when he became the first true freshman inside linebacker to start a season opener for USC since 2015 when Cameron Smith started for the Trojans against Arkansas State.
With Tackett Curtis on their roster, USC’s future looks incredibly promising. Fans can expect to witness more outstanding performances as this rising star continues to make his mark on the football field.
The USC Trojans travel to Boulder on Saturday to take on the Colorado Buffaloes.