Garry Paskwietz, Publisher, WeAreSC.com 9y

USC Trojans spring preview: Position-by-position

The 2015 spring practice sessions begin this week for the Trojans and there will be a lot to learn about a team that has high expectations for the coming year. Here's a position-by-position look at how things stand heading into spring:

Quarterback

Plenty of talent here, led by a veteran starter in Cody Kessler who is expected to be one of the top returning quarterbacks in the country. There isn't much for Cody to prove in spring other than to continue to master the offense, work on his timing with teammates and stay healthy. Max Browne will be the primary reserve and the one-time top-ranked recruit has looked strong in off-season throwing sessions as he enters his third year in the program. Jalen Greene wants to continue showing progress and we will also see early enrollee Ricky Town added to the mix. It's a deep group with diversified skills.

Depth chart: Kessler, Browne, Greene, Town

Running back

This is a position where the departure of Buck Allen and the injury status of Tre Madden could result in Justin Davis being the only healthy scholarship tailback available for full-time duty in the spring. Davis still needs to show he is all the way back from an ankle injury suffered as a freshman, so he can use a good workload, although it would be ideal to have Madden out there as well after missing the 2014 season. Walk-on James Toland could get additional reps and we could also see fullbacks Soma Vainuku and Jahleel Pinner with the ball in their hands. Both Vainuku and Pinner played tailback in high school and have the ability to be productive options.

Depth chart: Davis, Madden, Vainuku, Pinner

Wide receiver

The receiver group had a pair of early departures with Nelson Agholor and George Farmer so numbers might be a little light in spring, but you get the sense the talent level will be just fine. JuJu Smith was one of the leaders of offseason workouts and was probably the best player on the field in those sessions. Steven Mitchell also performed very well as he inches closer to the pre-injury form that made him such a dynamic player. Mitchell will be joined in the slot by Ajene Harris, who is clearly ready to contribute. Joining Smith on the outside will be veteran Darreus Rogers, who should get the first opportunity at the starting spot, and junior college transfer Isaac Whitney, who brings a 6-foot-4 frame and good speed. Of course, there will also be a role for Adoree' Jackson to line up at multiple spots, it just remains to be seen how big that role will be.

Depth chart: Smith, Rogers, Mitchell, Harris, Whitney

Tight end

There are only two scholarship tight ends available for spring, but they are both good ones. Bryce Dixon showed a lot of potential last season as an athletic true freshman in the passing game and he should be ready to start earning a bigger role in the offense. Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick is back after sitting out last season due to academics. Cope-Fitzpatrick, who is now a senior, showed up for offseason workouts in tremendous shape with a focus that one would expect from a player who was forced to miss an entire year, he could bring a physical blocking option while also serving as a legit pass-catching threat.

Depth chart: Dixon, Cope-Fitzpatrick

Offensive line

This will be a very important spring for the line with the introduction of a new coach in Bob Connelly, who will have plenty of experienced talent to work with but that talent is still young and developing. The entire group that started the Holiday Bowl will return (LT Toa Lobendahn, LG Damien Mama, C Max Tuerk, RG Viane Talamaivao and RT Zach Banner) and then there is also the injured Chad Wheeler, a former starter at LT who will sit out the spring as he continues to rehab after knee surgery. Tuerk is the senior leader and should be up for national honors this year. The reserve group has some players ready to show they are capable of more, from Khaliel Rodgers, Jordan Simmons, Chris Brown, Jordan Austin and Nico Falah to the early enrollee true freshmen Chuma Edoga and Roy Hemsley.

Depth chart: Lobendahn, Mama, Tuerk, Talamaivao, Banner, Rodgers (G), Simmons (G), Brown (G/T), Austin (T), Falah (T), Udoga (G/T), Hemsley (T)

Defensive line

There will be a lot of attention paid to replacing Leonard Williams, which will be no easy task, but a look at the returning group shows there is a lot of experience, including a trio of seniors in the middle of the line. Antwaun Woods is a veteran presence at nose tackle who will sit out spring recovering from a chest muscle injury. Delvon Simmons and Claude Pelon should man the end and tackle spots, both players showed improvement last year in their first season at USC. That's a pretty big group to put out there along the interior when healthy, and there could be some critical reserves behind them who are looking to stay healthy as well. Greg Townsend Jr., has seen his share of injury struggles in his time at USC but he put together a stretch last season which flashed the promise of what he brings to the table. And then there is the potential return of Kenny Bigelow, who was able to take part in winter conditioning sessions after suffering a knee injury last summer. Those two players could really have an impact on the rotation if they are available. Cody Temple has shown he can be a contributor, while Malik Dorton enters his second season looking to make the transition inside.

Depth chart: Woods, Simmons, Pelon, Townsend, Temple, Bigelow, Dorton

Linebacker

This spring will mark the transition to the defense featuring Su'a Cravens in a lead role, and he should be more than ready to shine in his hybrid SS/SLB spot. The other OLB/rush end spot will likely have Scott Felix getting the first look at taking over for J.R. Tavai, but it will be interesting to see how the other players in the rotation are lining up as Quinton Powell, Jabari Ruffin, Charles Burks and Don Hill are all capable of moving around and filling different roles. On the inside, Anthony Sarao returns as a veteran senior with a big hole next to him following the departure of four-year starter Hayes Pullard. Michael Hutchings has been the backup the past two years to Pullard, but other options could include Lamar Dawson, Olajuwon Tucker or early enrollee Cameron Smith. Finding someone here is one of the biggest goals of spring.

Depth chart: Cravens, Hutchings, Sarao, Felix, Powell, Ruffin, Burks, Dawson, Tucker, Smith

Defensive back

Adoree' Jackson enters spring as one of the rising stars in college football and he's just a terrific cover corner with unique athletic abilities. Kevon Seymour has developed into a nice veteran option across from him, while this spring will be important for reserves such as Chris Hawkins, Jonathan Lockett and Lamont Simmons to show the coaches something before Iman Marshall arrives in the fall. Lockett impressed during winter workouts with his ability to make plays. The safety spots appear to be there for the taking for John Plattenburg and Leon McQuay, both players had starting experience last season but both also saw their share of ups and downs. With a lack of depth at safety, and good depth at linebacker, could Cravens be moved to the secondary in certain situations?

Depth chart: Jackson, Seymour, Plattenburg, McQuay, Hawkins, Lockett, Simmons

Special teams

The Trojans are looking for a new placekicker after the departure of four-year starter Andre Heidari, and Matt Boermeester will get the first look after coming in as a “blueshirt” scholarship recipient last fall. Alex Wood, Wyatt Schmidt and Reid Brudovich are also in the mix. Kris Albarado returns as the punter, and Zach Smith is back at long snapper. Jackson and Smith are back as return men.

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