USC Football: 5 Players More Important Than Matt Barkley on USC's 2012 Roster

Matt Barkley isn't the most important player on USC's 2012 roster. In fact, five other players will be more important to the Trojans' potential national championship hopes than Barkley.

We all know that Barkley is one of the nation's most talented players. He'll be one of the most watched and heavily scrutinized players of 2012, and if he plays well there's a great chance he could walk away from his college career with a Heisman trophy. 

Barkley's a stud, but these players are more important. If they don't play well, it won't matter how well Barkley performs in his final season for USC.

Nickell Robey, Cornerback

If you were to meet Robey on the streets without knowing who he was or what he's capable of doing on the football field, there's a strong likelihood you wouldn't guess that he played the game.

The diminutive cornerback, at 5'8" and 165 pounds, doesn't look the part...until you watch him perform. 

Robey is one of the most diverse defensive players in the country. He takes on the opposition's best wide receiver week-in and week-out, and usually he can be counted on to dish out punishment while dictating the way the other team plays on offense.

In his first two years with the Trojans, Robey has put together quite an impressive stat line: 111 tackles, two sacks, six interceptions (two for touchdowns) and 13 pass deflections (h/t Rivals.com). Additionally, Robey has been a big contributor on special teams as a return man. 

He will need to continue making strides as a shutdown corner in 2012 for the Trojans for the team to have success.

Robert Woods, Wide Receiver

Woods has a chance to become a legend at USC with a massive campaign in 2012. He enters the season as one of the nation's top receivers, but he will need to continue his progression as an elite prospect if Barkley and the offense hope to generate enough points on a weekly basis to compete for a national championship.

He enters his junior season as the team's clear No. 1 receiver, and if his progress from his freshman year to his sophomore year is any indication, Trojans fans may be in for quite a treat this year. In two years, Woods has produced 176 catches for 2,084 yards and 21 touchdowns (h/t Rivals.com).

He and Barkley have developed amazing chemistry so far, and if Barkley has any hopes of winning the Heisman trophy, the bond between the two must continue to improve. If Woods' performance somehow drops off in any way in 2012, there's a good chance the offense as a whole will suffer as a consequence.

Devon Kennard, Defensive End

One of the reasons the NFL has become such a pass-happy league is that the college ranks are swelling with offenses that love to air it out. As such, it's imperative that teams feature a strong pass rush.

Kennard is the key to the Trojans' pass rush in 2012. He will play opposite Wes Horton on the defensive line, and while Horton is the anchor of their unit, it's going to fall on Kennard to become the elite pass-rushing threat that Nick Perry was last year.

Kennard, at 6'3" and 250 pounds, is going to be one of the players NFL teams look at to convert to a 3-4 outside linebacker next spring. Right now, though, he has an opportunity to make a first-round impression with a strong showing in 2012 for USC.

Kennard has shown the ability to get to the passer in limited action during his first three years, totaling 101 tackles, four sacks and one interception (h/t Scout.com). It is imperative to the success of the Trojans defense that he shows up in a major way in 2012.

If Kennard fails to provide a steady pass rush this upcoming year for USC, the defense will struggle to stop opponents' passing attacks. The success of the secondary hinges upon whether or not this senior can raise his game.

T.J. McDonald, Free Safety

USC fans rejoiced when McDonald made his decision to stick around for his senior season. 

The team captain enters the 2012 campaign as one of the favorites to win the Thorpe award, according to Lane Kiffin via Scout.com, and he will lead the defense in both words and actions when the action commences in the fall.

If he and the Trojans don't stop their opponents from scoring, it won't matter how many points Barkley and the offense put up. If they have any hope of winning the Pac 12 in 2012, McDonald will need to play up to his full potential and stay healthy.

One of the things we know about McDonald is that he makes plays all over the field. In his two years as a starter for the Trojans, he has amassed 156 tackles, one sack, six interceptions and one fumble recovery (h/t Rivals.com).

He will need to continue his strong play in 2012 for the Trojans to have a good chance to have a shot at the national championship.

Aundrey Walker, Left Tackle

Walker has some incredibly large shoes to fill in 2012 now that Matt Kalil has moved on to become the starting left tackle for the Minnesota Vikings, and according to ESPN.com, he's going to get the nod as the opening day starter. 

Kiffin told reporters that Walker, though a bit inconsistent, "showed enough with the potential of the size benefits he brings that he will stay as the starter heading into fall camp."

If Barkley and the Trojans offense are going to function properly this year, Walker must protect his quarterback's blind side. Nothing takes more precedence than this.

The Trojans must keep Barkley upright to have any chance to compete for the Pac 12 title and a national championship. Walker must improve his consistency and become a dominant pass protector in 2012, or all bets are off.

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