USC Trojans Football: 2012 Projected Starting Lineup

Some writing assignments are difficult, others less so—and then there is the "challenge" of projecting USC's 2012 starting football lineup.

Why do I mock this so-called "arduous task"?

Simple. It was largely already done for me in 2011 when the Trojans rode a young but talented team to a 10-2 record and a No. 5 AP ranking by the end of the college football season.

With 17 starters returning, not counting both kicker Andre Heidari and punter Kyle Negrete, the job before me is basically to identify five new starters.

Five. That's it.

Now, it should be noted that no starting position—with the exception of quarterback Matt Barkley—is etched in stone.

In spring camp, players can stand out, while others who may have rested on their laurels may find themselves demoted.

This is especially true with the Trojan "competition mantra" being the underlying foundation of all things USC football.

Players can get hurt too, which may necessitate new starters to replace them, but of course this can't be anticipated.

Nonetheless, this was the assignment handed to me, so faithfully I shall undertake it.

Just don't denigrate me for my lack of originality.

Note: New starters will be in bold.

Offensive Line

With Matt Kalil taking his impressive game to the NFL, the offensive line will undergo a minor facelift.

However, unlike 2011, when the Trojans had to break in three new starters, 2012 will find four returning linemen to open holes for the running game and protection of Matt Barkley.

While it is possible that new blood—such as Cyrus Hobbi or one of the incoming freshmen—can crack the starting lineup, it is far more likely that the line will get a reshuffling and only one new starter will be in the 2012 opening-day offensive line.

Who will that new starter be?

Why, none other than massive sophomore Aundrey Walker.

Walker, who played quite a bit in 2011, will be ready to take it to "starter status" next year.

This is what the offensive line will look like in 2012:

Left Tackle: Kevin Graf

Left Guard: Marcus Martin

Center: Khaled Holmes

Right Guard: John Martinez

Right Tackle: Aundrey Walker

Receivers

If quarterback Matt Barkley is a sure thing to be the starter in 2012, then the next closest two to be considered "can't miss" are flanker Robert Woods and wide receiver Marqise Lee.

Widely considered the best receiver duo in the nation, both Woods and Lee can be penciled in with certainty to be sure.

The only question in regard to receiver starters is at the tight end position, where Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer split time in 2011.

While both will see considerable playing time, I am going with Grimble as the starter simply because he is bigger and a better blocker.

Having said that, with Telfer's obvious receiving talent, it will not be a surprise if he cracks the starting lineup, especially if he can put on a little more weight and become more efficient at supporting the running game.

Running Backs

With Curtis McNeal's breakout 2011 season, there is little doubt as to who has earned the right to start at running back in 2012.

McNeal will be pushed by Amir Carlisle and D.J. Morgan, but it will be his job to lose.

But what about fullback?

With both Rhett Ellison and Ross Cummings lost to graduation, the responsibility to clear holes for McNeal will fall to a new starter.

That likely new fullback will be Soma Vainuku.

Vainuku, who has the size and speed to be very effective, was thought to be a favorite for the position in 2011 but wasn't quite ready.

He will be next year, and Curtis McNeal will be very glad for that.

Quarterback

Matt Barkley.

Duh.

Defensive Line

This is the unit that will require the biggest makeover.

With interior linemen DaJohn Harris and Christian Tupou lost to graduation and defensive end Nick Perry headed to the NFL, defensive line coach Ed Orgeron will have to make some decisions soon.

The good news is that he has a lot to work with.

Defensive tackle George Uko (although he started a few games this year) is a shoo-in for one interior spot, and true freshman J.R. Tavai looks like a good bet for the other.

Meanwhile, Devon Kennard will return at one defensive end spot, and Wes Horton (he started a few games too) is likely to gain the other.

Still, there may be some surprises, as the Trojans also have some real quality behind those mentioned here, such as Antwaun Woods and Greg Townsend Jr. inside and Kevin Greene at the edge.

That doesn't even take into consideration the possibility of a incoming freshman stud addition, such as Ellis McCarthy (if he signs with USC), who might make a huge impression and get the starting nod as well.

Linebackers

What a difference a year makes.

At this time last year, Trojan fans were wondering who would be playing linebacker for the Trojans; more importantly, how would they perform?

In fact, the one thing known about last year's unit, that middle linebacker Chris Galippo would be the anchor, turned out to be untrue by the end of the year.

Now Trojan fans know what the team has in 2012 in terms of linebackers.

They know that outside linebacker Dion Bailey, middle linebacker Lamar Dawson and inside 'backer Hayes Pullard will all be back for 2012, and the thought of this makes Trojan fans very comfortable indeed.

But they should also know that USC will have 2011 defensive service team player of the year Anthony Sarao and quick sophomore Tre Madden waiting in the wings.

If that isn't enough, prep studs Scott Starr (a Brian Cushing clone) and Jabari Ruffin are both coming in to help out next year as well.

Defensive Backfield

Though it is tempting to throw a couple of scenarios into the 2012 mix, the Trojans defensive secondary will likely stand pat for next season.

In other words, Nickell Robey and Isiah Wiley will likely open at the corners, and T.J. McDonald and Jawanza Starling will be the starting safeties.

Nothing in the way of earthshaking prognostication, to be sure.

However, with the signing of 5-star junior college safety Gerald Bowman last week, there may be some serious competition for Starling, although it seems that Bowman is destined to back up the hard-hitting McDonald.

The Trojans also have a bevy of good cornerbacks coming back, such as Torin Harris, Anthony Brown and Ryan Henderson, so Wiley will have to stay sharp or else.

Conclusion

Okay, so maybe there weren't any mind-numbing revelations offered here, but what do you expect when a team has so much returning talent?

However, there may still be some surprises by the time the Trojans roll out the ball for the first snap of the 2012 season.

This is especially true when it comes to considering the relative merits of the bevy of freshmen that took redshirts in 2011.

To be certain, nothing in the way of starting positions is etched in stone when it comes to the evaluative eye of Lane Kiffin and his staff.

Regardless of who makes the "starting cut" in 2012, the Trojans will be a fabulously talented team next year, and the expectations will be enormous in terms of the national title hunt.

Those Trojans whose names are called over the public address system to start next year will have earned that distinction, but to a man, they will say they would give that up for a winning season.

That's what champions are made of, and USC will expect nothing less.

Neither will its fans.