USC Trojans Football: Spring Preview

Another overrated Trojans basketball team has been bounced from the NCAAs, so it's time to focus on what really matters in the land of Troy—football.

March 25th will mark the Trojans first spring practice and although expectations are high for Pete Carroll's squad, many questions loom.

The biggest topic of discussion over the next two weeks will be the emergence of this season's starting QB. Carroll has said that both Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain will get the same amount of reps this spring and the starter will probably be decided before fall camp. Right now Michigan and LSU fans are wishing they could have these same QB "problems."

Although the national media portrays this as the Trojans' only question mark, things are not as set as they seem.

For a third straight year there will be an open competition for the starting running-back position (Man, I miss Reggie). Stafon Johnson seems to be the frontrunner, because of his experience and workload from last year.  However, Carroll is famous for making players compete for their positions, so don't be surprised if someone like Joe McKnight or Allen Bradford finds himself in a larger than expected role.

Redshirt freshmen, Marc Tyler, the son of UCLA and former Ram and 49er Wendell Tyler, and Broderick Green add to the Trojan depth at running back.

Filling the shoes of Mackey Award Winner Fred Davis, who is expected to be the first tight end picked in the NFL Draft, will add to the competition this spring. 

Junior Anthony McCoy, played in only two games, both in garbage time, tallying two catches for 18 yards and one TD late in the Nebraska game.  But the Trojans signed Blake Ayles, the top tight end recruit in the West.  The five-star Ayles had 48 receptions for 697 yards and eight touchdowns with Orange (CA) Lutheran in 2007 and an impressive showing at the Under Armour All-America Game.

Davis' production last year (62 catches, 881 yards, 8 TDs) was a contributing factor in the slow development of an inexperienced receiving core.  Although Vidal Hazelton, Patrick Turner and David Ausberry had seen some playing time the year before, none had seen enough and that hurt the Trojans early.  True freshman Ronald Johnson or RoJo as he is known came on very strong at the end of last season.

But if they expect to increase their playing time this year, they will need to fend off the likes of Damian Williams, the much-heralded transfer from the Arkansas Razorbacks, and five-star freshmen recruits, D. J. Shoemate and Brice Butler.

Shoemate was the region's top high school receiver last year and a U.S. Army All-American.  As a senior, Shoemate racked up 1,291 yards rushing, 40 receptions and 14 touchdowns.  He was also a lock down safety and recorded 5.5 sacks.

Butler, another U.S. Army All-American, was one of the top receivers in Florida.  In fact, he surprised everyone by chosing the Trojans over Florida State, where his father Brian played.

On defense, the loss of Sedrick Ellis will be hardest to get over, but the Trojan roster is so loaded with quality D-lineman that the loss may not be a debilitating one. 

Fili Moala is expected to take Ellis' spot, but he will receive some stiff competition from incoming freshman, Armond Armstead, a top prospect from Northern California, along with sophomores, Christian Tupou and Derek Simmons.

At the other inside tackle position, Averell Spicer will be challenged by redshirt freshman Da' John Harris and a gifted recruit, Jurrell Casey.

Another player expected to go early in the NFL Draft is Lawrence Jackson.  Although Jackson was a superb defensive end, his successor already is a household name at USC: Everson Griffen, the Arizona High-school player of the year for the class of 2006, who is poised to take the college world by surprise. 

Senior Kyle Moore is the front-runner to retain his spot at the other defensive end position.  But both Griffen and Moore will have to battle three top recruits, U. S. Army All-American Wes Horton, Malik Jackson, one of the best pure pass-rushing ends in California, and Nick Perry, the #5 defensive end in the nation.

The last big loss is Keith Rivers—but again, there are blue-chippers waiting to take over.  Clay Mathews is the most prepared because of his time filling in for Brian Cushing last year.  Matthews is listed as second on the depth chart behind Cushing at the strong-side backer.  But he may compete with Kaluka Maiava, who did a great job filling in for Rivers last year on the weak side. 

Pete Carroll and linebackers coach, Ken Norton, are sure to give sophomore, Malcolm Smith, brother of New York Giants receiver and former Trojan, Steve Smith, a good look at one of the linebacking spots as well as Chris Galippo.

Yes, the Trojans have many spots to fill. But with Carroll's recruiting skills, don't expect SC's stranglehold on the Pac-10 to end anytime soon.