Peek into the Future: USC Football in 2010 (Defense And Special Teams)

(Photo by: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

When we last peered into our crystal ball, we found that the Trojan offense, despite losing several key players, still had a lot to look forward to in 2010.

The Trojan defense, so young in 2009, will be seasoned in 2010. Those new linebackers, replacing the triumvirate that took their game to the NFL and a question mark in 2009, will enter 2010 as a strength.

While some units will take a hit, there are young studs just itching to take their place and build a new legacy of Trojan prowess on the defensive side of the ball.

Before we look at personnel, we need to clarify some schematic defensive philosophy that Carroll and Trojans employ.

Without going into detail, one of the elements of defensive philosophy that makes Pete Carroll so effective is his ability to match his talent with his defensive sets.

Pete Carroll has been known to employ a 3-4 (two tackles and a nose guard with four linebackers), a 4-3 (two tackles, two defensive ends with three linebackers), a 4-2-5 nickel package (primarily a third down obvious passing situation) and even a hybrid formation known as “elephant,” where the defensive ends will “stand up” and shift back and forth to take advantage of match ups.

It is Carroll and his staffs ability to find these favorable match ups and exploit them, that makes a Pete Carroll defense so hard to manage for opponents and it is for this reason that Pete and his staff will be salivating going into 2010.

Now lets take a look at the Trojan defense and special teams and see why Pete Carroll and his defensive staff will be all smiles when the 2010 season opens.

Defensive Line:

Speaking of match ups, the defensive line, inexperienced in 2009, will have a year under its belt in 2010.

Armond Armstead, the 6’5”, 290 pound sophomore who came into 2009 as strictly a tackle, wowed the defensive staff with his athleticism and was moved to defensive end to take advantage of his speed. Armstead will see time at both positions and will be an anchor in 2010.

Jurrel Casey, 6’1” and 280 pounds, built in the mold of Mike Patterson, was the 2008 scout team player of the year. That means Casey has put in the work that Carroll loves and his reward is that he will see plenty of time at both nose guard and tackle. Casey is a sophomore, so he too returns.

DaJohn Harris, another massive (6’4”, 295 lbs.) redshirt sophomore, is extremely talented and can play either the nose guard or tackle positions. He will be utilized at both and will see a lot of playing time, especially in 2010.

Christian Tupou, a 6’2”, 285 pound nose guard/tackle who played a lot in 2008, will play even more in 2009 and will be counted on in 2010 when he comes back as a senior. Tupou has a motor that never quits and his coaches love him for that.

Also due in the fall is Hebron Fangupo, a massive 6'2, 330 lb behemoth, who will clog the middle, especially when the Trojans are in their 3-4 set. 

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