USC Trojans Football: Updating the 5 Best Spring Football Battles

Ahh, spring is in the air, and along with it comes the welcome sights and sounds of college football—entering its first camps of the year.

At USC, spring camp is when questions begin to be answered, and while many Trojan positions are fairly well established, there are some battles taking place to see who garners starting positions in 2012.

For the players, momentum for the fall comes early in the spring and those with aspirations of taking the field with the first units must place themselves firmly in their coaches minds now.

And for a highly regarded team like the Trojans expect to field this year, those few uncertain starters will reveal themselves long before the whistle blows for the first game.

This slideshow will look at some of these tussles for playing time and offer some speculation as to who will win out at these positions.

Though other positions may have some surprises in store for starting slots, here are five to keep an eye on now.

No. 5: Isiah Wiley vs. Torin Harris, Anthony Brown or Ryan Henderson (Corner)

This will be an interesting battle as Isiah Wiley fights it out with some talented competition for the right to start opposite Nickell Robey.

In Wiley, the Trojans get a big corner (6'0", 185 lbs) who has a nasty streak to him and can cover the opponents bigger receivers.

Wiley has gotten better technique-wise and has the momentum of finishing last year as the starter.

However, Torin Harris began 2011 as the starter and was very productive before hurting his shoulder and missing the final eight games.

Harris also has good size and the main question with him is whether or not the damaged nerves that cost him the majority of last year have regenerated to the point where he can resume contact.

Anthony Brown replaced Harris last year and was doing very well until breaking his ankle and missing the rest of the season.

As for Ryan Henderson, he may be the fastest player on the team and the sky is the limit for this redshirt freshman. 

Prediction

Look for Wiley to retain his starting position at least until Harris proves he is healthy.

No. 4: Jawanza Starling vs. Josh Shaw, D. Wright or Gerald Bowman (Safety)

Another interesting defensive backfield battle finds Jawanza Starling competing against a trio of safeties, some of whom may or may not be slotted at Starling's position.

What Starling has going for him is his experience as a senior, but he will have to find consistency in order to retain the starting position.

However, there are many question marks regarding this competition as well.

Josh Shaw, the talented transfer from Miami, is still awaiting word as to whether or not the NCAA will allow him to play this year. But if he can, this guy can push Starling—he is that talented.

Demetrius Wright is a very talented player although he is a bit undersized at 195 lbs.

Meanwhile, the wild card in this battle may involve a player who might not even compete for this spot.

Gerald Bowman, the 5-star junior college transfer, is field ready and this guy is a monster. The only question is whether he will back up T.J. McDonald or attempt to start at Starling's spot. 

Prediction

This is probably Starling's job to lose, but watch out for Bowman.

No. 3: Xavier Grimble vs. Randall Telfer (Tight End)

A quick disclaimer is in order here.

Regardless of who is named the starter, both Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer will play a lot. That's because they both are extremely talented and bring different things to the table.

Grimble is bigger and perhaps a better blocker (although that is debatable) while Telfer is faster and more of a downfield threat.

And what is also certain is that quarterback Matt Barkley will be throwing to both of these guys a lot.

Last year, Grimble got the nod as the starter but Telfer still managed 26 receptions and five touchdowns.

So who starts? Who cares, the Trojans have themselves two starters at this position. 

Prediction

Grimble starts but both play about the same number of snaps.

No. 2: Cody Kessler vs. Max Wittek (Quarterback)

On the surface, this might seem like an inconsequential battle to see who holds Matt Barkley's clipboard for 2012, but it is so much more than that.

In reality, it is a glimpse into the future for the men of Troy as this is—like it or not—the last year that Trojan fans will get to root on Barkley during his legendary Trojan career.

So while this 2012 backup audition is really a head start for the 2013 season, it is also a neck and neck fight for a spot that most likely won't see a heck of a lot of action this year.

Nonetheless, it is a spirited battle and one that is too close to call right now.

In fact, even their head coach, Lane Kiffin, said via ESPN: "I'd be very comfortable with both of them."

And they both bring different skill sets to the table; Kessler is a better runner while Wittek has the better arm.

Missing from this equation is Jesse Scroggins, whose talent has been overshadowed by injuries and maturity issues. 

Prediction

Kessler for now but really, this is a tossup.

No. 1: Antwaun Woods vs. J.R. Tavai (Defensive Tackle)

Going into the 2012 season, the biggest question for the Trojans is defensive line depth.

It is pretty much a given that George Uko has one of the tackle spots already sewn up, but who lines up alongside him is anyone's guess.

And while talk has Woods backing up Uko, there is still a possibility that he can wind up starting.

Meanwhile, Tavai had a solid true freshman season in 2011 when he both started and came off the bench for significant (and productive) minutes.

But where Tavai is a mobile run stuffer who can get to the quarterback, he is not a big tackle at 270 lbs.

That certainly is not the case with Woods, whose 315 lbs would seem more suited to the rigors in the trenches.

Woods has made significant strides in the last year, but it remains to be seen if he has gotten to the point where he is starter material. 

Prediction

Tavai begins the season as the starter but that may change as the season goes on.

Conclusion

While the battles listed here are compelling, they are by no means the only questions that need to be answered going into the 2012 season.

Also of note is the No. 3 receiver spot, where De'Von Flournoy has had a nice spring in his battle with Victor Blackwell while waiting for George Farmer to get healthy.

In addition, there are a variety of backup spots along the offensive line that may not be settled until the Trojans trio of talented true freshmen (Zach Banner, Max Tuerk and Jordan Simmons) arrive in the fall.

Also, where will newly converted running back Tre Madden fall on the depth chart?

These and more questions still require clarification, and fall camp will likely provide the answers prior to the first snap of this upcoming season.

In the meantime, Trojan fans will follow along with rapt interest as they watch their team shape up for what they hope will be a memorable season.

Ultimately, fans of the program will rely on the astute observations of the USC coaching staff to decide the questions contained on this list.

And that is just the way it should be.