Thursday, March 7, 2013
Dion Bailey confirmed position switch
By Brent Sobleski
Dion Bailey was one of the nation's most athletic linebackers the past two seasons. But he doesn't fit the mold of a 3-4 linebacker to fit Clancy Pendergast's new defensive scheme. Bailey will make a position switch as a result.
"Bailey, arguably USC's top linebacker last season, said he's preparing to practice at both linebacker and safety in the fall, in preparation for a possible full-time move to the defensive backfield," Rich Hammond of the Orange Country Register reported.
Pendergast will have to find a home for Bailey, who was originally converted from safety to linebacker. Bailey would be expected to make the transition to strong safety, but Josh Shaw has performed well during spring practice in the role after switching from free safety. Both players are similar in size and could be construed as interchangeable by USC's staff.
