USC Football: 12 Players with the Most to Gain in 2011

Without a doubt, the 2011 USC Trojans will have a lot to prove in the upcoming season.

Generally dismissed by national pundits, the Trojans will be focused on proving the naysayers wrong as they play through the disappointment of the recent denial of their appeal of the NCAA's sanctions, which will deprive them of playing for this year's inaugural Pac-12 title.

In order to achieve the success they desire, it will take a concerted effort by all involved with the USC program, from the coaches right down to the scout team players.

However, this slideshow is not about Lane Kiffin and his staff, nor is it about those crucial unsung service team warriors.

Instead, it will deal with the players whom the Trojans hope to ride the wave of success with this year.

Well known to those who follow USC, these players will be playing not only for the benefit of the team, but in some cases, their own future at the next level.

In all cases, these players will be relied on to get the Trojans back to the pinnacle of college football, a place they resided at not so long ago.

Who are these players with so much at stake in 2011?

Let's find out.

No. 12: Martin Coleman

Martin Coleman, who came to USC as a celebrated offensive tackle from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Ca., has been a case study of unfulfilled promise since he arrived on USC's campus in 2007.

Some of the reason for that was due to lingering ankle injuries, which has plagued him in 2008 through 2010, but some of it also has been because of inconsistent play.

Now healthy for the first time in years, Coleman has an opportunity to show what the hype was all about as a prep player.

At 6'5", 335 lbs., Coleman certainly has the size to be a force at the offensive guard position.

But he will have to earn his spot as a starter, and he will be pushed by incoming freshman Cyrus Hobbi, whom the coaches simply love.

As a redshirt senior, Coleman doesn't have the luxury of time to make hay for the Trojans.

The time is now.

No. 11: John Martinez

Much like Martin Coleman, John Martinez came to the Trojans as a highly touted offensive lineman, though in high school, he was a center.

And like Coleman, so far, Martinez has yet to realize his vast potential for the Trojans.

However, unlike Martin Coleman, Martinez still has time to make his mark at USC.

As a redshirt sophomore, Martinez, who now is an offensive guard, will get his shot in 2011 to prove that he can be a force for the Trojans on an offensive line that desperately needs him to assert himself at the position.

Martinez has the tools to get the job done, and his size (6'2", 295 lbs.), though not ideal, is made up for by his athleticism.

It won't be easy for him, though.

Although he is a favorite to get the nod at the left guard spot, he might be pushed by a motivated Marcus Martin, an incoming freshman whose size (6'5", 340 lbs.) makes offensive line coach James Cregg drool.

2011 will be a crucial year for Martinez because with Martin waiting in the wings, it won't take much for the Trojans to make a change with the future in mind.

No. 10: Kevin Graf

Keeping with the offensive line motif, Kevin Graf is yet another Trojan that will have the spotlight on him in 2011.

Graf, whose Trojan bloodlines run deep (his father and brother both played at USC), has the size (6'6", 305 lbs.) and the athleticism to star as the right tackle this year, but injuries may keep him from from realizing his full potential this year.

Also, incoming freshman Aundrey Walker has impressed in his short time at USC, and his size (6'6", 350 lbs.) may fast track him to a starting position.

Nonetheless, if Graf can get past his injuries and focus his efforts toward being the best he can be, he will have his experience as a redshirt sophomore on his side.

Regardless, this year will be critical for Graf's future, and because of that, he will have a lot to gain in 2011.

No. 9: Christian Tupou

Finally breaking from the offensive line, the No. 9 spot on this list belongs to a fantastic, albeit unlucky defensive lineman trying to come back from a devastating knee injury.

Christian Tupou, a 6'2", 300 lb. tackle who started for two years, is a beast.

Hard working and featuring a motor that never quits, Tupou was slated to start last year before tearing knee ligaments in the 2010 spring game.

But that injury, as severe as it was, didn't prevent Tupou from winning USC's "Courage Award," and he was also named co-lifter of the year.

So far, Tupou is still working his way back, and his confidence in the knee is slowly coming around.

So those betting against Tupou should be forewarned that Christian usually gets what he goes after when he sets his mind to it.

Nonetheless, 2011 will be a year where he has a lot to gain and even more to lose, especially if that knee won't cooperate.

No. 8: Khaled Holmes

The single biggest worry for Trojan fans is the state of the 2011 offensive line.

This year, USC will welcome back two starters from 2010, left tackle Matt Kalil and new center Khaled Holmes, who played guard last year.

Holmes, whose reputation as a cerebral player prompted the move to center, can be outstanding at the position, but now, he must prove it on the field.

At 6'4", 310 lbs., Homes has the physical tools to get the job done, and, as mentioned before, his football savvy is off the charts.

Though he has had some issues snapping the ball, Holmes is expected to benefit immensely from the upcoming summer/fall camp.

As a redshirt junior, Holmes has time to hone his craft, but his contributions will be critical in 2011, and for that reason, this season, he will have a lot to gain by playing well.

No. 7: Jesse Scroggins/Max Wittek/Cody Kessler

Eligibility isn't the issue for these three prospective back-ups to quarterback Matt Barkley.

With Jesse Scroggins being the oldest of this trio—and he is only a redshirt freshman—the reason one of these guys has a lot to gain 2011 is because someone will need to take over for Barkley, perhaps as soon as next year.

All three quarterbacks have a lot of talent, and while Scroggins appears to be the likely candidate for the back-up job this year, it will be just as much because of his year's experience in the system as anything.

Of the two incoming freshmen, Kessler and Wittek, Kessler probably impressed most during the spring, but Wittek has a lot of talent as well.

One of these two is guaranteed a redshirt, but all of these erstwhile gunslingers have a lot to gain in 2011.

No. 6: Dillon Baxter/Curtis McNeal/D.J. Morgan

Some of the more notorious news that the Trojans made in the offseason—besides the denial of its NCAA appeal—was the unfortunate travails of running back Marc Tyler, who has apparently partied his way out of a starting job as USC's tailback.

Though it is not beyond the realm of possibility for Tyler to return should he get his act together, in the meantime, USC is going to need someone to step up and claim the premier spot in the Trojans running game.

All three of the potential candidates to start at running back bring impressive credentials to the position, but none of them has, as of yet, separated themselves from the other.

Last year's YouTube sensation, Dillon Baxter, is a multi-talented and versatile back who will be used in any wildcat formations the Trojans run, but maturity issues have kept him from realizing his full potential so far.

Curtis McNeal is a small but explosive runner who can hit the hole quickly, but academic issues continue to plague him, and he will need a good grade in summer school to be eligible for 2011.

Meanwhile, D.J. Morgan, the fastest of the trio, had a marvelous spring camp and has thrust himself squarely into the starting tailback conversation but he is returning from a knee injury that kept him out of action in 2010.

All three of these talented runners will have the spotlight on them as they vie to nail down the glamor spot as heir apparent to the legacy left behind by the myriad of former Trojan running back legends.

How they perform now gives them the possibility of having a lot to gain in 2011.

No. 5: Chris Galippo

When Chris Galippo signed his letter of intent with the Trojans in 2007, most pundits thought USC had its next great linebacker at a program known for producing great players at that position.

Galippo, who was a 5-star prospect from Servite High School, had all the tools of a great linebacker: big, athletic, great football smarts...the whole package.

Then his back problems started.

Surgeries on a herniated disc cost Galippo significant time in 2007 and 2008, and the Trojans have held their collective breath whenever he takes the field ever since.

Now as a redshirt senior in 2011, the Trojans will be looking for Galippo to anchor an almost completely remade linebacker unit.

He has the ability to still be that great linebacker that the Trojans thought they were getting a few years ago, but he will have to stay healthy and show that he can be more than just a run stuffing guy in the middle.

This is Galippo's last year with the Trojans, and because of that, and the fact he will be the only experienced starting linebacker, 2011 is a year where he has a lot to gain.

No. 4: Marc Tyler

As a redshirt senior running back with NFL aspirations, Marc Tyler had a lot to gain with his play in 2011.

Now, after several poor decisions on his part that resulted in his suspension for at least the first game of the season, he will have much more to prove than how well he can run between the tackles.

In a year where the Trojans don't really have another big back they can turn to, Tyler's shenanigans have hurt not only himself, but his team as well.

If Lane Kiffin allows him to come back after paying the appropriate penance, Tyler will have to earn his way back not only on the field of play, but also in the eyes of his teammates.

For many reasons, Tyler has a lot to gain (and lose) in 2011.

No. 3: T.J. McDonald

Another Trojan whose football bloodlines run deep (Tim McDonald Sr. was an All-American safety in the eighties), T.J. McDonald enters his junior campaign as a watch list preseason All American candidate at free safety.

In 2010, McDonald led the Trojans in tackles, and big things are expected from him this year as he anchors what should be an effective defensive secondary for the men of Troy.

Because of the large expectations for him this year, McDonald will garner national attention and therefore will be looked at as a possible early defector for the NFL after this season.

Whether or not he decides to turn pro after 2011, McDonald has a lot to gain in the upcoming season.

No. 2: Matt Kalil

For many reasons, 2011 will be a year where left tackle Matt Kalil has an awful lot to gain.

Kalil, who was good enough to keep first round draft choice Tyron Smith at right tackle, is a prototypical offensive lineman with great size (6'7", 305 lbs.) and technique.

Like his brother Ryan, who starred as a center at USC, Matt Kalil has tremendous football acumen and will likely be a high first round draft choice should he make himself available for the NFL after this year.

But that is only part of the reason he has a lot to gain this year.

More importantly to the team, Kalil is one of only two returning offensive linemen the Trojans have in 2011, and as a left tackle, he will be responsible for protecting Matt Barkley's blindside.

It is for these reasons that Matt Kalil has a lot to gain in 2011...and so do the Trojans if he plays well as expected.

No. 1: Matt Barkley

For the 2011 USC Trojans, everything depends on quarterback Matt Barkley.

As the single most important player on the team, playing the most crucial position, Barkley is well aware of his importance to the team.

Fortunately for Trojan fans, he is up to the task.

Going into his junior campaign, after starting both of his two years as a Trojan, Barkley is regarded by many as a top 10 pick in the NFL should he decide to forgo his senior year at USC.

Of course, Trojan fans hope and pray that Barkley will be a four year starter for the Trojans, but that is a decision for another day.

In the meantime, 2011 will be a year where Matt Barkley has tons to gain both for himself and for his team.

Conclusion

Both as a team as well as individually, the Trojans have a lot to gain in 2011.

Attempting to rebound after having their knees cut out from under them by the NCAA, USC will be looking at the upcoming season as a springboard to bigger and better things next year when they finally emerge from the "no bowl" sanctions that have haunted them the past two years.

By all accounts, 2012 will be the year when the men of Troy will be positioned for big things, especially if Matt Barkley returns for his senior year.

Even if he doesn't, the Trojans will be a seasoned and talented group, poised to make a serious run at the national title.

But the foundation for the big year expected in 2012 starts right now in 2011.

As such, this year a lot of Trojans will have much on the line for the season ahead.

This slide show looked at some of the Trojans who will be banking on a big year now but in reality, the whole team has a lot to gain.

If the Trojans can make noise this year, it will be because of the players featured in this piece and their contributions will be valued both collectively and individually.

Trojan fans, at least some of them, are pointing to 2012 as the big year for USC.

But they, as well as all other fans of the Trojans wouldn't mind starting the celebration a year early.