USC Football 2011: The 9 Most Explosive Trojans on Offense

Now that this year's fall camp is winding down and the makeup of the Trojans is taking shape, it is time to identify those players whom USC can turn to when it needs a big play.

Some of these players are well known, some are new and still others are looking for that first chance to turn their untapped potential into on-field production.

When the Trojans need a big play, these are the guys they will turn to.

While most of these players will come as no surprise to fans of the program, others might, and this list will reflect not only what we know about some players but also what may come to be if given a chance—or more to the point, if they earn that opportunity to shine for the Trojans.

Now let's get started on this list of the most explosive Trojans...

No. 9: De'Von Flournoy

The first name on this list may come as a surprise given De'Von Flournoy's brief but inconsistent career at USC.

Flournoy, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver who came to the Trojans from Birmingham High School in the San Fernando Valley, has never been questioned for his talent.

One of the team's fastest players, Flournoy's obstacle to greatness has been injury and inconsistency.

So far in the 2011 fall camp, these disturbing trends continue.

Flournoy has missed time to injury, and when he has played he has alternated between brilliant and awful.

But at some point, it is hoped that he will begin to find some pattern of consistency, and if he does, he will find the field of play more often.

That's when Trojan fans will see just how explosive De'Von Flournoy truly is.

No. 8: Randall Telfer

When the Trojans signed their "terrific trio" of tight ends after the 2009 season, Randall Telfer was something of an afterthought in terms of the best of those signees.

The real stud of those tight ends was thought to be Xavier Grimble, who was considered the best prep player at his position in the nation.

Today, that notion may still be true. Grimble is the complete package, a capable receiver and a devastating blocker.

But the most explosive of that trio? Easy—it's Randall Telfer.

Telfer, who blew up at the fall camp, has been a revelation as a downfield threat.

Faster than Grimble, he is a mismatch for any linebacker and too tall for cornerbacks.

Look for Randall Telfer's name to be called often when the Trojans need a big play from their tight ends.

No. 7: George Farmer Jr.

You gotta start somewhere, and on this list, wide receiver George Farmer Jr. will begin at the No. 7 slot of the most explosive Trojans.

Which is interesting, because if you had asked me or just about any other Trojan fan before the start of fall camp, you would have been told that he would be occupying a much higher place on this list.

But Farmer has had a fairly pedestrian camp so far, and though he will undoubtedly rise with time, this slot in the list reflects an extremely talented young man who is still finding his way.

Make no mistake about it: Farmer is supremely talented and will be heard from as he gets his feet wet in the college game.

No. 6: Curtis McNeal

If running back Curtis McNeal can find a way to put the annoying obstacles behind him, this kid can be a helluva running back.

However, academic issues both this season and last have hindered the young man who many call a "poor man's Maurice Jones-Drew."

Now in the fall camp, McNeal has been hit by the injury bug, which has found a balky knee depriving him of valuable playing time.

But if young Curtis can stay healthy, he is a complete player that is not only an explosive runner but a very capable blocker as well.

That appeals to coach Lane Kiffin, and it will to Trojan fans as well.

No. 5: Amir Carlisle

For the first 10 days or so of the continuing fall camp, true freshman running back Amir Carlisle was a sensation.

Though he has tailed off somewhat over the last couple of weeks, Carlisle has served notice that he will be a force to reckon with sooner rather than later.

Carlisle, a devout young man whose maturity belies his tender age, is a complete player whose prowess lies not only in his explosive athleticism but also his football savvy.

A tough north-south runner with breakaway speed, Carlisle hits the hole hard, and if a crack is there, he is gone in a heartbeat.

Amir Carlisle will have plenty of opportunities to shine for the Trojans this year and beyond.

No. 4: Marqise Lee

Move over, Amir Carlisle—here comes the next big thing from the Trojans fall camp.

Wide receiver Marqise Lee, the less heralded Serra High School teammate of George Farmer, has lit 'em up over the last two weeks.

Drawing favorable comparisons to last year's freshman phenom, sophomore wide receiver Robert Woods, Lee has been money and has found a big fan in quarterback Matt Barkley.

With Lee battling Brandon Carswell for the starting spot opposite the aforementioned Woods, Barkley has been enamored with the young receiver's potential and steady hands.

Regardless of whether Lee wrests that starting spot or not, he will see the field of play a lot for the Trojans, where his explosiveness will be on display while Woods draws double-teams.

No. 3: Dillon Baxter

Trojan fans, meet the new and improved Dillon Baxter.

Last year's YouTube sensation, the sophomore running back spent the offseason getting bigger, stronger and faster.

But perhaps as importantly, Baxter overhauled his attitude, which hindered his progress last year as a true freshman.

In fall camp, Baxter's efforts have paid off handsomely, as he has now become more of the "one cut" runner that Kiffin and offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu crave.

With his east-west juking now pretty much a thing of the past, Baxter and his improved speed translate into a far more explosive player.

No. 2: D.J. Morgan

The choice of D.J. Morgan as the No. 2 most explosive Trojan might come as a surprise to some since he isn't even a clear choice to see a lot of playing time at running back for the Trojans this year.

Nonetheless, if you are looking for a breakaway threat at tailback, Morgan is your guy.

Likely the fastest of the Trojan running backs, Morgan has worked hard to come back from a serious knee injury he suffered in his senior year of high school.

Morgan had a spotty fall camp, as he lost time to swelling in that same repaired knee, but he showed flashes of that explosive speed as well.

If Morgan can stay healthy and find the consistency that Kiffin craves, he has the talent to bust off a lot of long runs on Saturdays when it counts.

No. 1: Robert Woods

Okay, so maybe it comes as no surprise that wide receiver Robert Woods is the Trojans' most explosive offensive player but sometimes the bloody obvious is just that...obvious.

In Woods, the Trojans have a young player who just keeps getting better.

If you have any questions regarding Woods' value to the team, just ask quarterback Matt Barkley, whose subliminal connection with him resulted in three touchdowns in USC's last scrimmage at the Coliseum.

Where Woods winds up in the list of all-time great Trojans remains to be seen but for now, there is no question that he is the most potent player USC has on an explosive offense.

Conclusion

The nine players listed in this slideshow are by no means the only explosive offensive players USC has to offer, but they are the most likely to see the field of play in 2011.

Others, such as wide receivers Brice Butler and Brandon Carswell and even running back Marc Tyler, have the capability to be explosive as well, and if they make plays that are described as such, no one will be surprised.

Even youngsters like wide receiver Victor Blackwell, once they get acclimated, can join the ranks of "most explosive," but when they will remains to be seen.

In the meantime, Trojan fans will keep their eyes peeled for the players on this list, and they will be rewarded for their diligence with some breathtaking moments to be sure.

Of course, the more explosive moments, the better for fans of the men of Troy, as they will certainly aid in the return of USC to the glory of not so long ago.

That's the only kind of explosion they care about.

Can you blame them?