USC Trojans Football: The 5 Most Important New Starters in 2012

The 2012 edition of the men of Troy will enter the upcoming season as one of the most highly regarded teams in college football.

And it is easy to see why this is so.

Young but talented and experienced, most of the questions regarding the starting lineup have been already answered by a successful 10-2 season in 2011 that saw USC finish last year as one of the hottest teams in the nation.

That isn't to say that this year's team returns completely intact, however.

Several key positions will be manned by new players this year and while many of these players have seen extensive playing time last year, they will be occupying new specific positions in 2012.

How these players respond to these new responsibilities will go a long way to answering how the Trojans season goes this year.

This slideshow will attempt to identify those new starters and analyze any drop-off USC may experience as the Trojans attempt to make 2012 a season for the ages.

No. 5: Aundrey Walker (Right Tackle)

It was tough to place big Aundrey Walker so low on this list, but in doing so, I am offering homage to Walker, whose obvious talent was only mitigated by question marks regarding his dedication to his craft.

Those questions have now been answered, as Walker's efforts to get down to a reasonable playing weight resulted in his losing 60 lbs. to get down to a svelte 320.

Now he can get down to the serious business of replacing last year's right tackle, Kevin Graf (more on him later), who will be moving over to the left spot of the same position.

Walker is powerful, surprisingly quick and has the ability to dominate whomever is unlucky enough to be looking across the line on game days, and he will be counted on to seamlessly step into the starting unit and continue that group's progress which began in 2011.

No. 4: J.R. Tavai (Defensive Tackle)

If there is one glaring question mark in 2012, it is the defensive line, where USC will be looking to replace significant experience, especially on the interior.

Both starting defensive tackles in 2011, Christian Tupou and DaJohn Harris, have been lost to graduation, and to replace them, D-line coach Ed Orgeron will turn to George Uko (more on him later too) and young J.R. Tavai.

Tavai, who saw a lot of playing time last year as a true freshman, is quick for a big guy, and if he can add a bit more bulk, he can be incredibly disruptive both in the passing and run stop game.

Tavai got the job done last year as a true freshman and should be demonstrably better a year later.

Now, he just has to prove it.

No. 3: Peter McBride (Long Snapper)

I know what you are thinking...What? A long-snapper made this list? Is this guy crazy?

Maybe, but let me ask you something.

Can you remember the last time there was a botched snap on special teams for the Trojans?

Me either.

The beauty of a great special teams long-snapper is that if they are good, you probably won't know their name.

So let me introduce you to Chris Pousson, the Trojans last long-snapper and the guy that redshirt freshman Peter McBride will try to replace.

Pousson's career at USC was marked by nary a single mistake snapping the ball.

Talk about tough shoes to fill.

It won't be easy for McBride despite the fact that he was one of the highest ranked prep players in the nation.

McBride has decent size (6'2", 225 lbs.), but it is not his girth that USC will be relying on, it's his snapping ability.

Fortunately, McBride has that part down.

Now, the Trojans hope that McBride's name will enter the obscurity that all great long-snappers know all too well.

No. 2: George Uko (Defensive Tackle)

As stated in the Tavai slide, USC has some question marks in the defensive line, but for Coach Orgeron, he has thinks he has a very big answer in George Uko.

Uko, a 6'4", 300-lb. sophomore, will be counted on to anchor the interior, especially against the run.

The good news for Trojan fans is that Uko is a beast who has the ability to dominate those unfortunate offensive linemen who line up across from him.

Despite his size, Uko is tremendously athletic, and USC will need that from him to transition to the new-look defensive line sans Tupou and Harris.

Make no mistake about it, Uko will be a very important part of any success the Trojans hope to have in 2012.

1. Kevin Graf (Offensive Tackle)

Speaking of having big shoes to fill, Kevin Graf must think that those of departed left tackle Matt Kalil look like boats.

Big boats.

That is because Graf will be asked to anchor the all-important left tackle spot, where his primary duty will be to protect quarterback Matt Barkley.

For Barkley's sake, he will be getting a big (6'6", 310 lbs.) lineman who did a great job at the right tackle spot last year.

And in high school, Graf played left tackle, so he does have experience.

But most important to Barkley (and Trojan fans), Graf is good.

Slowed by shoulder injuries early in his USC career, Graf is healthy, and it showed last year when he and his fellow "big uglies" led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (eight).

Still, until he actually does the job of protecting Barkley's blindside, there will be questions, and that is why Kevin Graf occupies the No. 1 slide of the new Trojan starters in 2012.

Conclusion

Though he is not included in this list, it should be noted that Soma Vainuku will also likely be a new starter at fullback.

Vainuku has looked great in spring practices, and he will be counted on to occupy an important position that is an integral part of USC's offensive package.

And it should also be stated that there could be other changes, as this is very early in the process, which will identify those starters who take the field in 2012.

What is certain is that whomever these new starters are, they will be important cogs in what Trojan fans hope is a well-oiled machine that drives USC to a national championship.

Though young (and in some cases, inexperienced), the players listed in this slideshow will have to grow up fast for the Trojans to get where they want to go.

Will they meet the challenge?

That remains to be seen, although what is certain is that fans of the program will be there to cheer them on.