USC Football: 5 Trojans Not Named Matt Barkley to Be Excited About in 2012

Barkley this. Barkley that. Yes, he's a great quarterback, but he won't be the only one suiting up for the Trojans this upcoming season.

USC has an extremely talented roster from top to bottom. They have some of the most exciting players in the country on both sides of the field, not named Matt Barkley, who don't get the attention they would receive if Barkley would have left.

This is not a knock on Barkley by any means, but here are a few players who will be sporting the cardinal and gold to be excited about this upcoming season.

Robert Woods

This could be the last year we see Robert Woods in cardinal and gold. Woods is going into his junior season and afterwards will be eligible for the NFL draft. Although players like Barkley and McDonald seem to be trying to set a trend of staying for four years, Woods could have other plans.

That being said, Woods was right there in talks of best receiver in the nation this past season. He started the season off with a 17-reception game. Yes, all in one game. 

He's not the best athlete in the nation, but he is an extremely smart player. He has sticky fingers and is almost always a sure catch. Before it was Barkley/Woods/Lee it was just Barkley and Woods and they fared just fine. As a matter of fact, after simply dominating during the first half of the season teams were forced to pay Woods more mind, which resulted in more one-one coverage for Lee to take advantage of.

Now that teams have to respect both Lee and Woods equally, Woods should see a lot more one-one coverage once again and I look for him to make those opposing corners look silly. 

Woods has already solidified his place in USC record books and his name can easily be inserted in conversation about Trojan greats. However, we've got one more guaranteed season to watch this kid shine bright in the Coliseum. I'd say that's something to look forward to.

Marqise Lee

This kid has the potential to be the best receiver to ever play at USC. That's a bold, but very accurate statement.

Lee continued to improve and impress us more and more as the season progressed. He's simply a raw athlete with soft hands. If you can't get excited about watching what this young talent has in store for us during his sophomore campaign you might want to check your pulse.

We have seen what the trio of Woods/Barkley/Lee did during their first season together. The sky is the limit for these guys and I look for Lee to pick up right where he left off when the bright lights shine bright once again.

T.J. McDonald

The Trojans have a lot of talented players on the defensive end. However, none are more NFL ready and have more experience than T.J. McDonald.

With the return of McDonald, USC maintained its consistency and their leader. McDonald leads the team in interceptions and could have easily transitioned to the NFL this season. But just like Barkley, McDonald too feels as though he and his teammates have unfinished business. 

McDonald has soft hands and reads the field very well. He plays with an unmatched passion for the game and will ensure that the defense continues to improve under his guidance. 

He is a good mentor for the young defensive backs like Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard and will bolster one of the most impressive defenses to ever grace the Coliseum this season.

D.J. Morgan

D.J. Morgan has looked impressive thus far during spring practice as he looks to redeem himself. He fell out of the running back rotation last year due to some issues with fumbling, but Morgan is still a very talented player.

He's got the moves and speed to be a very effective force for the Trojans on the ground alongside Curtis McNeal and is a very exciting player to watch.

Many people are caught up in the star receivers, Matt Barkley or even McNeal after his impressive season. But many people will be pleasantly surprised by what Morgan can bring to the table. 

Nickell Robey

Many people know Nickell Robey as the guy who picked off Andrew Luck and ran it back for a touchdown at the Coliseum. And if you didn't know him as that, now you do.

Anyways, Robey is much more than that. He is the Trojans' most talented cornerback. He may a little small, but that just makes his athleticism and competitiveness more admirable.

Robey will look to transform into a lockdown corner this season. He definitely has the potential and ability to. He is about as exciting as it gets on the other side of the ball. Always looking to make a big play and always playing his heart out.