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USC Trojans season preview: A completely revamped roster

By Lamarr Fields

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 07: USC Trojans players run on to the the field for the game against the Oregon State Beavers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 07: USC Trojans players run on to the the field for the game against the Oregon State Beavers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The USC Trojans were unable to come away with a Cotton Bowl victory last season and have several pieces to replace heading into 2018.

The USC Trojans open the season ranked 15 in the coaches poll.

The USC Trojans enter face a lot of uncertainty because of the departure of many players heading to the NFL. Quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Ronald Jones II are gone, and their replacements can very well determine how their season plays out.

The USC defense lost some key players as well but should remain stable due to a solid front seven, but the key will be how fast can the secondary improve.

USC Offense

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USC’s offense is headed for a total makeover. They have to replace Quarterback Sam Darnold, leading rusher Ronald Jones and their top receiver Deontay Burnett. Matt Fink who saw action in three games last year will battle true freshman JT Daniels and redshirt freshman Jack Sears for the starting job.

The Trojans will use a running back by committee to replace Ronald Jones. Aca’Cedric Jones, Vavae Malepeai, and Stephen Carr. All three very tough runners Carr is the more elusive and pass catcher out of the three. None of these backs has excellent breakaway speed like Jones.

USC has a lot of options at receiver. Tyler Vaughns is a reliable target; he caught 57 passes last year. Along with Vaughn, the Trojans have Michael Pittman and freshman Amon-Ra ST Brown who could start right away.

The Trojans return 4 of 5 starters to the offensive line. This could bold well for a lot of change over in the skill positions. However last year the offensive line allowed 30 sacks.

USC Defense

On the defensive line, the Trojans lost there top two defensive linemen. Six defensive lineman return with starting experience and they add true freshman Caleb Tremblay to go along with Christian Rector. With all the injuries to the line last year the younger players got reps that experience should bold well for this season.

Outside linebacker Porter Gustin is back from injury and is a pass rusher that will help the line a bit. Senior linebacker Cameron Smith is back, and they have true freshman Palaie Gaoteote, who should be one of the top linebackers in the nation.

In the defensive backfield, the Trojans needed to improve on being the 82nd ranked pass defense last season. The Trojans gave up way too many big plays last year. Iman Marshall, Isiah Langley, Jack Jones, and Marvell Tell will all need to play better if USC pass defense is to improve.

USC Kickers

Chase McGrath, the kicker, is back for another season, he mad 12-17 field goals last year. Reid Budrovich is also back as the punter; he placed 23 punts inside the 20 last year.

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The Trojans will remain favorites in the Pac-12 south, but there will be more of a challenge this year due to losing a lot of talent.

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