On defense, the loss of Sedrick Ellis will be hardest to get over, but the Trojan roster is so loaded with quality D-lineman that the loss may not be a debilitating one.
Fili Moala is expected to take Ellis' spot, but he will receive some stiff competition from incoming freshman, Armond Armstead, a top prospect from Northern California, along with sophomores, Christian Tupou and Derek Simmons.
At the other inside tackle position, Averell Spicer will be challenged by redshirt freshman Da' John Harris and a gifted recruit, Jurrell Casey.
Another player expected to go early in the NFL Draft is Lawrence Jackson. Although Jackson was a superb defensive end, his successor already is a household name at USC: Everson Griffen, the Arizona High-school player of the year for the class of 2006, who is poised to take the college world by surprise.
Senior Kyle Moore is the front-runner to retain his spot at the other defensive end position. But both Griffen and Moore will have to battle three top recruits, U. S. Army All-American Wes Horton, Malik Jackson, one of the best pure pass-rushing ends in California, and Nick Perry, the #5 defensive end in the nation.
The last big loss is Keith Rivers—but again, there are blue-chippers waiting to take over. Clay Mathews is the most prepared because of his time filling in for Brian Cushing last year. Matthews is listed as second on the depth chart behind Cushing at the strong-side backer. But he may compete with Kaluka Maiava, who did a great job filling in for Rivers last year on the weak side.
Pete Carroll and linebackers coach, Ken Norton, are sure to give sophomore, Malcolm Smith, brother of New York Giants receiver and former Trojan, Steve Smith, a good look at one of the linebacking spots as well as Chris Galippo.
Yes, the Trojans have many spots to fill. But with Carroll's recruiting skills, don't expect SC's stranglehold on the Pac-10 to end anytime soon.
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