USC Trojans 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: The Trojans have to be in a bit of a start over mindset now that Sam Darnold and Ronald Jones, just 2 of several top players from the 2017 season, are gone. There are question marks all over the field on both sides of the football for the staff to figure out, and things got tougher in the city when UCLA hired Chip Kelly after last season. USC must find a new QB/RB combo package in fall camp, and has to find a way to maintain dominance in the city of Los Angeles. With another talented crop of recruits coming in the door, can USC stay on top in the PAC-12 South?
Breakdown Offense: It all starts with who will replace Sam Darnold at QB in fall camp. True freshman JT Daniels could be the answer, and was the only QB in camp with solid reps that showed well in the spring. Matt Fink, who was the primary backup last season, could actually fall on the depth chart if he cannot beat out Thomas or Jack Sears, who was a highly touted freshman who redshirted last fall. This 3 way battle should continue into fall camp, but Daniels seems to have the edge.
Stephen Carr was projected to win the RB job after carrying the football just 6.5 times per game last fall, but he missed all of spring ball after having back surgery, and that held the door open for Aca'Cedric Ware, and now it looks like they may share carries when the season starts, or Ware could take the job outright if Carr is not fully ready to go. Both have decent big play ability, as each back rushed for over 5 yards per carry in limited action last fall. Both also have injury concerns. Vavae Malepeai could fill in as the 3rd back, and with the injury history of Carr and Ware, he could find himself thrust into full time duty at any point. He also has injury issues, so it could still fall to the 4th option in freshman Markese Stepp. If it falls that far, the Trojans could be in real trouble here.
Deontay Burnett and Steven Mitchell are gone, and that means that the Trojans have to find 127 receptions worth of work from someone else now. Tyler Vaughn is the first outside WR on the depth chart after spring ball broke, and he finished 2nd on the team with 57 receptions for 809 yards and 5 TDs. He averaged 14.19 yards per catch last fall. Michael Pittman missed most of spring ball, but still projects as the second starter at outside WR. He caught 23 passes for 404 yards and scored 2 times in 11 games last fall, averaging 17.57 yards per catch. Josh Imatorbhebhe is the primary backup to Vaughn, but caught just 2 passes last season. Randal Grimes could back up Pittman, but missed a chunk of spring football because of academic issues. Devon Williams, another true freshman, could lose his shot at a redshirt if Grimes cannot go. Joseph Lewis was suspended indefinitely at outside WR, and Jalen Greene transferred out, which gave the outside corps a real shot to their depth as a unit. Another freshman, Amon-Ra St. Brown, still projects as the starting SLOT receiver, even though he was not available for spring ball, as he did not enroll early. Velus Jones, Jr. is the backup heading into fall camp, but will see a number of different roles. Trevon Sidney and Pig Young should add depth, but Sidney cannot seem to get on the field, and Young had academic issues that forced him to miss out of a chunk of time in spring ball, and may not be developed enough to see the field.
Daniel Imatorbhebhe and Tyler Petite are listed as co-starters at TE this fall, but both have had some injury issues, and neither went all out in spring ball, with Imatorbhebhe being completely held out. Josh Falo is the TE3 for now, but with the injury history owned by the starters, he could see more time than many may think. Erik Krommenhoek will likely see more time as well as the backup to the blocker that Petite is.
The LT job is open on the line, with Austin Jackson and Clayton Johnston battling it out into fall camp. Jackson may have the edge heading into fall camp, as Johnston has more value backing up the Tackle spot on both sides. Jalen McKenzie redshirted last fall, and held his own as a backup in camp at the Tackle spot. Chris Brown has the LG spot locked down, with Alijah Vera-Tucker backing him up coming off a lost season to injury. Toa Lobendahn is the starting Center, with Brett Neilon backs him up, but again, Lobendahn is an injury concern, so Neilon could end up seeing starting reps, as he did much of spring practice. Justin Dedich, a freshman, was forced into the fire during spring ball as an early enrollee, and held his own. The staff would love to redshirt him, but if either Lobendahn or Neilon go down, that option goes out the window.
Andrew Vorhees starts at RG, if his knee holds up. He tore his meniscus during the final week of practice, but should be ready to go in fall camp. Jacob Daniel is the backup, and held up well in the final week of the spring. Chuma Edoga is back to start at RT once again, and was solid in spring ball. Johnston could back up here, if he does not win the LT spot. Liam Douglas is a true freshman, and the staff would love to redshirt him, if depth provides itself to do so.
Breakdown Defense: The interior of the defensive line looks solid heading into fall camp, so much so that Jay Tufele can slide over and take over at the DT spot because of depth at NT. Malik Dorton, who totaled 3.5 TFLs last fall, will rotate at this spot with Ifele. Liam Jimmons is still developing as a sophomore, and could see some time as well here. Brandon Pili has pulled ahead in the battle for the NT spot, with Marlon Tuipulotu sliding to the second unit heading into the fall. Pili is a sophomore, while Tuipulotu is a RS freshman, so the Trojans are extremely young and raw here, but talented. Freshman Trevor Trout should redshirt this fall given the depth in the middle.
Christian Rector totaled 11 TFLs last fall, and added 7.5 sacks, and will start at DE this fall. He also provides flexibility when the Trojans go to a 3 man front, and can kick out to OLB as well. He will be a featured part of the pass rush scheme this fall. Caleb Tremblay is a transfer, and enrolled early, and slid into the backup spot here behind Rector. Connor Murphy also figures in at DE for depth, as he has moved down to DE from OLB.
Porter Gustin returns at the PREDATOR LB spot this fall, and should be one of the best defenders in the PAC-12. He needs to stay healthy, however, as he played in just 4 games last fall. Oluwole Betiku is his backup, for now, but missed all of spring ball with a hip injury. Hunter Echols is also available here as a backup, but missed all of 2017 with a hip injury of his own. He seems healthy now, which is good news. Abdul Malik-McClain has a promising future, but will likely redshirt.
Jordan Iosefa is the starter at OLB after rumors had lingered about his move to ILB went away in spring camp. He totaled 31 tackles while filling in for various injuries last season, but locked down this spot without a doubt. Kana'i Mauga fired up the staff in spring ball as an early enrollee freshman, and will be the primary backup here. Juliano Falaniko adds some depth, but he is falling behind at this point.
Cameron Smith starts in the middle of the defense for the Trojans, and may be their best all around player returning to duty this fall. He led the team with 112 tackles, and added 11 TFLs. He is not much as a pass rusher, but he certainly fills the gap against the run. Converted FB Reuben Peters is likely the backup to Smith.
John Houston will start at the Weakside LB spot. He totaled 84 tackles last fall and added 3.5 TFLs. Levi Jones will likely serve as the backup here. The Trojans are thin and young after Jones at this spot.
Iman Marshall returns to start at one CB spot after picking up 10 PBUs last fall. He also added 51 tackles. The task in 2018 is to turn some of those plays on balls into INTs, as he had not a single one in 2017. Greg Johnson lost last season to a redshirt with a shoulder injury, but is now a RS freshman ready to back up Marshall, despite still missing spring ball with the same injury. If he cannot go, look for freshman Olaijah Griffin to walk into the job.
The Trojans took a major hit at the other CB spot, as Jack Jones was ruled academically ineligible for 2018. He left school and has enrolled at a JC to try to get everything straight. That leaves Isaiah Langley to win the job in fall camp after he got work in last season in parts. Isaac Taylor-Stuart, yet another freshman, may be forced into action sooner than he is ready for because of depth issues. Ajene Harris is the Nickel Back when needed, with Jonathon Lockett returning from 2 lost seasons with a hip issue as the backup.
Ykili Ross is the starter at SS, and will replace Chris Hawkins. He does not have a ton of experience here, as he slides over from NB and CB. Bubba Bolden could also see the starting job, and had a strong spring. Talanoa Hufanga, a freshman, impressed in spring ball, and bares some watching in fall camp.
Marvell Tell starts at FS, and finished with 85 tackles last fall. Isaiah Pola-Maolost his freshman season to injury, and is coming off a redshirt. He was still not able to do anything in spring ball, and that left the door open for CJ Pollard to win the backup job in fall camp.
Breakdown Special Teams: Chase McGrath is back at PK, but he made just 12/17 FG attempts as a freshman, and could use a good push. He was 58/59 on PAT work.
Reid Budrovich is back at Punter, and averaged 41.62 yards per punt last season.
Velus Jones is the primary KR man after averaging 24.52 yards per return as a freshman, and Ajene Harris could be available for PR duty, if Michael Pittman doesn't push for that role.
Final Analysis: The Trojans have an injury history and youth problem. They are going to be too dependent on players coming off injuries, or players with a massive injury history, and will also have a depth issue with the use of freshmen to a large degree on both sides of the football. If injuries once again take hold, this could go from a season that has the Trojans in a chase for the South crown once again in the PAC-12, to being a lost season altogether. Chip Kelly taking up residency in Westwood does not help the overall picture, but that should not have much of an effect until 2019 and beyond, as Kelly has to build a roster that reflects his coaching style. This season could go either way for this Trojan team.
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