USC Football 2012: 5 Players Under the Spotlight in Spring Practice

USC's spring practice is completely underway as they prepare for the spring game that takes place on April 14. Every time these practices are set to take place, we should be looking for certain things: players who need to step up or things for the team to improve on from last season.

The Trojans returns a total of 16 starters and are, without question, one of the favorites to win their conference and the national championship. But that doesn't mean they don't have questions that they need to address during spring practices before they take the field in September.

That's when players have to step up and turn some of those weaknesses into strengths. This is the time for players to prove they have what it takes and to move up the depth chart.

Here are five players you should keep your eye on during spring practices.

DE Greg Townsend

Greg Townsend was one of the top recruits on the defensive side of the ball in 2011. We'll finally get to see what the redshirt freshman is made of when he takes the field and competes for one of the starting positions on the defensive line.

With several linemen, such as Nick Perry and DaJohn Harris, no longer on the roster, the defensive line is a concern heading into the spring. Townsend has the skill set and the size to help contribute right away and be a huge factor this season.

The Trojans finished the season with 30 sacks, but with the leading sack leader no longer on the roster, somebody has to step up. Look for it to be Townsend.

RB D.J. Morgan

We all know that USC has a passing game that will put up huge chunks of yards on even the best of defenses. But the running game is a question mark heading into the spring that needs to be answered. Curtis McNeal, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year, is still on the roster, but after that, there's really not a lot to brag about.

"Yeah, that's very scary for us," Trojans coach Lane Kiffin said this week. "We have so little experience and numbers there in general and really nothing coming to help that very much."

That's where D.J. Morgan must step up to the plate his sophomore season and make things happen. He did manage 163 yards on 42 carries, but he will be asked to produce much more this year. Morgan was a top recruit in 2009, and he is a very quick runner who does have home run ability.

If he's able to fulfill some of that potential, USC and their offense will be even scarier come September.

OT Kevin Graf

Kevin Graf will have the biggest shoes to fill this season, as he'll try his best to protect Matt Barkley's blindside and replace left tackle Matt Kalil. The last time Graf played left tackle was in high school, as he played the right side last year.

If, for whatever reason, he can't get the job done, other candidates include Jeremy Galten, David Garness and Nathan Guertler.

"I'm blocking, hopefully, for the next Heisman [Trophy] winner at 'SC," said Graf. "I take my job very seriously and I want to keep him clean."

No pressure at all.

WR Victor Blackwell

Trojan fans will finally get to see the redshirt freshman wide receiver Victor Blackwell in action, and if he's as good as advertised, they're in for a treat.

Blackwell has great size at 6'2", 200 pounds, and he has elite speed, as he runs the 40 in the 4.4 range. He was a 4-star recruit in the 2011 class and could see a lot of playing time if he has a great spring.

It shouldn't take long for him and Barkley to get on the same page either, due to the fact they played together in high school. Blackwell really could provide this team with another unstoppable offensive weapon (not like they need any more).

WR George Farmer

Another wide receiver that will help take some heat off of Robert Woods is sophomore George Farmer.

Last season, Farmer didn't show nearly what he's capable of, as he finished the year with four receptions for 42 yards. But he's a big receiver at 6'2", 205 pounds, and he gets down the field in a hurry. Farmer is a playmaker who will help stretch the field for this offense.

Although he did suffer a hamstring injury, he should be back sometime after spring break and will continue competing for that No. 3 receiver position. Farmer, along with Blackwell, will be fun to watch this spring as he competes for playing time, and he will be a joy to see for the next couple of seasons as well.