University Southern California Trojans
USC Football Season Outlook
July 07, 2000 | Football
July 7, 2000
Momentum: the tendency of a person or group to repeat recent success...a driving force...energy...power...the inclination of a moving object to keep moving.
LOS ANGELES - As the USC football team enters the 2000 season, the Trojans are riding some big-time momentum that they hope will carry over into the fall.
Consider:
- USC won its final 3 games of 1999, including a victory over crosstown rival UCLA to snap an 8-game losing streak to the Bruins and a season-ending win over No. 25-ranked Louisiana Tech,
- 15 starters (10 on defense), plus the punter and placekicker, return from 1999, as do part-time starters at 2 other positions and another 11 players who have started at least once in their career,
- Troy brought in a 23-member, Top 10-ranked recruiting class, including 15 who were prep or junior college All-Americans (3 signees enrolled at USC last spring and participated in spring drills),
- USC has an advantageous schedule, with 7 home games (and an eighth in nearby Pasadena),
- the Trojans held one of their best winter conditioning sessions and spring practices in recent memory,
- and it is the third year of Paul Hackett's head coaching tenure and he admits that finally things appear to be coming together as he employs his system.
"Yes, we have some momentum coming into the 2000 season," said Hackett.
"This is a very important year for the development of our program. This is the year to turn the corner and become a legitimate contender for the conference championship."
In all, 75 players return from last year's team, including 33 who were on the season-ending 2-deep, 44 who were lettermen and 52 who saw playing time in 1999. The 1999 Trojans went 6-6 overall (all 6 losses were by 10 points or less, a first in USC history) and tied for sixth in the Pacific-10 at 3-5. Troy started off 2-0 and appeared headed to a promising season, but when starting quarterback Carson Palmer went out with an injury in the third game, USC lost 6 of its next 7.
"We're a better team this year than we were in either of the last 2 years," said Hackett. "Our strength will be on defense, where we are deep and experienced. And we have some tremendous skill position players on offense, so we should be okay on that side of the ball if the offensive line continues to develop. As for special teams, this is where I expect us to make a marked improvement, so we can be dangerous there."
USC's defense sports some of the nation's top players. Both returning starting linebackers-Zeke Moreno in the middle and Markus Steele on the weak side-should get some consideration for the Butkus Award. Moreno, Troy's tackle leader in 1999 with 108, will be starting for his third year. Steele, who made an immediate impact in 1999 after transferring from a junior college, topped USC in tackles for losses with 12 last season and was second in total tackles (91). Each found the end zone in 1999, Moreno twice (on an interception and fumble recovery) and Steele once (on a fumble recovery).
The third starting linebacker last season, Sultan Abdul-Malik, has returned now to defensive end, where he started in 1997 and 1998 (he was USC's sack leader both years). He had 27 tackles on the strongside last year. He'll compete with 1999 starting end Lonnie Ford (25 tackles).
Both 1999 starting defensive tackles are back: Ennis Davis, a 1998 All-Pac-10 first team choice who was hampered all of last season while recovering from a knee injury but still posted 31 tackles and 5 sacks (he also returned an interception for a TD), and Ryan Nielsen, who had 39 stops. The other end spot again will be manned by last year's co-starters, Matt Childers (24 tackles) and Shamsud-Din Abdul-Shaheed (22 tackles).
Three starters return in the secondary, including cornerbacks Kris Richard, who led USC in interceptions last fall with 6 (2 were returned for scores), and Antuan Simmons, a 3-year starter who had 49 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 blocks in 1999, plus safety Ifeanyi Ohalete (84 tackles, team-high 15 deflections, 2 interceptions), who will move from free to strong safety this season. Simmons might redshirt the 2000 season while recuperating from spring surgery.
Other key defensive personnel are cornerback Darrell Rideaux, who started twice last year and made 31 tackles, safety-cornerback Kevin Arbet (13 stops, 1 interception returned for a TD), and linebackers Kori Dickerson (14 tackles), a converted end, and Darryl Knight (17 tackles), a 2-game starter in 1999.
The only defensive starter missing from last season is graduated 1999 All-Pac-10 first team strong safety David Gibson, a 3-year starter who had 241 career tackles (81 in 1999). Aaron Williams, who started 6 times in his career at tackle, is USC's only other significant defensive loss.
Troy's 5 returning starters on offense are 2-year starting left tackle Brent McCaffrey, right guard Zach Wilson, a 1999 Freshman All-American second teamer, center Eric Denmon, 3-year starting tight end Antoine Harris (33 career catches), and fullback Charlie Landrigan (11 catches in 1999).
Two other offensive positions-quarterback and left guard-have players coming back who started a significant number of games in 1999. Palmer, who is 15th on USC's career passing list (169 completions) while starting 8 games at quarterback in his career, started Troy's first 3 contests last fall before breaking his collarbone (he completed 73.6% of his passes in 1999). He was succeeded in the lineup by Mike Van Raaphorst, who started the next 5 games (he was 139-of-258 for 1,758 yards and 8 TDs in 1999) before giving way to John Fox. Van Raaphorst is USC's No. 9 career passer (with 232 completions and 15 career starts) and he owns the school's single game passing yardage record (415 yards versus Stanford last year). Faaesea Mailo, who has 8 career starts, started 5 times at left guard in 1999 while sharing time with Donta Kendrick (Mailo can also play tackle).
There are a number of other top offensive performers returning, including young wide receivers Kareem Kelly, the 1999 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and USC's second-leading receiver last fall (54 catches, 4 TDs, 2 starts), Marcell Allmond (14 catches, 2 TDs, 3 starts) and Steve Stevenson (6 catches, 1 start), tailbacks Sultan McCullough, the Pac-10's 1999 100 meters champion (his 10.17 best time makes him the fastest Trojan footballer ever) who ran for 413 yards last season, Malaefou MacKenzie, who has 481 career rushing yards, and Petros Papadakis, who missed all of 1999 with a foot injury after running for 365 yards and a team-best 8 touchdowns while starting 4 times in 1998, guard-tackle Trevor Roberts (3 starts in 1999) and fullback Brennan Ochs (4 career starts).
Among the key losses from the 1999 offensive unit are 2-year starting tailback Chad Morton, USC's No. 8 career rusher (2,511 yards, including 1,141 yards with 15 TDs in 1999) who also is in Troy's all-time Top 25 charts for punt returns, kickoff returns and total offense, 4-year starting lineman Travis Claridge (a 1999 All-Pac-10 first teamer), wide receivers R. Jay Soward, USC's No. 4 all-time pass catcher (161 grabs, including 51 last fall), No. 2 kickoff returner and No. 18 punt returner who scored 32 career touchdowns (averaging 48.6 yards each) and was an NFL first round draft pick, and Windrell Hayes, who caught 79 passes in his Trojan career (a team-best 55 in 1999 with 4 TDs), guard Jason Grain (16 career starts, including 5 last season before hurting his knee), tackle Matt Welch (a 1998 starter) and tight end-long snapper Pat Swanson, as well as the previously-mentioned Fox (USC's No. 10 career passer with 220 completions in 13 career starts, including going 67-of-125 for 844 yards and 4 TDs while starting Troy's final 4 contests of 1999) and Kendrick, who started 8 games at guard in his career.
Mike MacGillivray, who has a 39.4 average in his 2-year career (41.4 in 1999), returns as the punter, and David Newbury (11 field goals and 40 PATs in 1999) is back as the placekicker, although he'll be challenged by 3-year kickoff man David Bell.
Although USC plays 7 of its 12 games at home, its 2000 schedule begins with a challenge as the Trojans travel to East Rutherford, N.J., to play Penn State in the Kickoff Classic. Beyond that, Troy doesn't have a long road trip, going to defending Pac-10 champion Stanford, 1999 bowl teams Arizona State and Oregon State, and UCLA. Visiting the Coliseum are non-conference foes Colorado (the 1999 Insight.com Bowl winner), Notre Dame and San Jose State, plus Pac-10 opponents Oregon (the 1999 Sun Bowl champ), Arizona, California and Washington State.
"I'm cautiously optimistic about the 2000 season," said Hackett. "If we can build on the momentum we have right now, we have a chance to do well."
OFFENSE
Five starters-tackle Brent McCaffrey, guard Zach Wilson, center Eric
Denmon, tight end Antoine Harris and fullback Charlie Landrigan-return on
offense in 2000, as do 1999 part-time starters Carson Palmer and Mike Van
Raaphorst at quarterback and Faaesea Mailo at guard. Five others who
started at least once in 1999-wide receivers Kareem Kelly, Marcell Allmond
and Steve Stevenson, guard-tackle Trevor Roberts and fullback Brennan
Ochs-also are back. USC's top passer, No. 2 runner and No. 2 receiver from
1999 return. Troy will look to continue to improve upon its offensive
output, its 1999 production in all team categories was its best since 1995,
as it averaged 402.7 yards of total offense, including 145.0 on the ground
and 257.7 through the air (22nd nationally), and 29.0 points (fourth best in
the Pac-10).
"I'm excited about our offense, particularly our skill players," said Hackett. "Most of them are young, but they are talented with loads of potential.
"We want to be a multiple, balanced offense that is efficient, disciplined and turnover-free. To do that, we need to continue to improve our completion percentage, our pass protection and our perimeter running.
"How well we work together and how team oriented we are will be the key to the offense. Plus, we need to get some questions answered. Can Carson Palmer get his timing back and get in sync with our young receivers? How quickly will the offensive line jell? Can we effectively replace Chad Morton's 1,000 rushing yards?"
QUARTERBACKS
There's little doubt that sophomore Carson Palmer (39-of-53, 73.6%, 490
yards, 3 TDs, 3 interceptions in 1999) is one of the nation's premier
quarterbacks. How valuable is he to the Trojans? With Palmer at the reins,
USC started off the 1999 season undefeated as he completed nearly 75% of his
passes. But when he broke his collarbone 2 plays before halftime in Troy's
third game (at Oregon), USC hit a tailspin from which it took a while to
recover. After missing the rest of the 1999 campaign while rehabilitating
the injury (he was allowed to redshirt because he was knocked out so early
in the season), he is cleared to go full speed. The question remains
whether he can regain the form that has him already ranking 15th on USC's
career passing ladder (with 169 completions) with just 8 starts under his
belt.
"Carson is one of the best young quarterbacks in the country," said Hackett. "His pure passing ability sets him apart. He was off to a great start last season before getting hurt. He is 100% healthy now and there is no reason that he can't be ahead of where he was last year by the time the 2000 season starts."
USC might have the most experienced backup signalcaller in the nation in senior Mike Van Raaphorst (139-of-258, 53.9%, 1,758 yards, 8 TDs, 9 interceptions in 1999). A 15-game starter in his career, he is ninth on USC 's all-time passing list (232 completions) and 19th on the Trojans' career total offense chart (2,809 yards). He took over for 5 games in 1999 when Palmer went down before being replaced by John Fox. Against Stanford, he set USC single game passing yardage (415 yards) and total offense (390 yards) records. He also might be USC's holder on placekicks in 2000. Also a star in class, he has a team-best 3.72 GPA and will begin classes in USC's M.B.A. program this fall after receiving his bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and political science this spring.
"We have a very capable backup quarterback in Mike," said Hackett. "He is bright, experienced, efficient and poised. He has shown he can do the job."
QUARTERBACKS
Matt Cassel, In. Fr. -- '99 prep All-American
Ray Kasper, Jr.
Carson Palmer, So. -- No. 15 USC career passer
Mike Van Raaphorst, Sr. -- No. 9 USC career passer
Taylor Talt, Rs. Fr.
John Terzian, So.
Three walk-ons are also on the squad: junior Ray Kasper, soph John Terzian and redshirt freshman Taylor Talt.
In the fall, prep All-American Matt Cassel (Chatsworth High in Chatsworth, Calif.) will join this pair as a freshman (he also might serve as a backup punter).
Fourth-year offensive coordinator Hue Jackson moves back over to handle the quarterbacks after spending the last 2 seasons working with the running backs, a move Hackett said "lets our offense be more effective. Hue is one of the great young offensive coordinators in the country."
RUNNING BACKS
One tailback usually carried the ball for Troy in 1999: Chad Morton, a
2-year starter who ended his career as USC's No. 8 rusher (2,511 yards),
including a dozen 100-yard outings. He also was 14th on Troy's all-time
punt return list, 17th in kickoff returns and 24th in total offense. Last
fall, he ran for 1,141 yards (the most at USC since 1990) and 15 TDs (the
most by a Trojan since 1981), plus led Troy in kickoff returns and was
second in punt returns.
RUNNING BACKS
Sunny Byrd, In. Jr., FB
Miguel Fletcher, So., TB
Mark Gomez, Jr., TB
Chris Howard, In. Fr., TB -- '99 prep All-American
CHARLIE LANDRIGAN, Jr., FB -- 9 starts in '99
Malaefou MacKenzie, Jr., TB -- 2 career starts
Sultan McCullough, So., TB -- USC's fastest footballer ever
Brennan Ochs, Sr., FB -- 4 career starts
Petros Papadakis, Sr., TB -- 4 career starts
Chad Pierson, So., FB
Lee Webb, In. Fr., FB
In 2000, look for a combination of players to share the load at tailback, some who are power runners and some who are speed burners.
"We'll utilize all of our tailbacks this season," said Hackett. "I really like our mixture of power and speed."
The power guys are junior Malaefou MacKenzie (25 carries, 121 yards, 4.8 average, 3 TDs in 1999, plus 5 catches, 8.0 average), who has 481 rushing yards and 2 starts in a career that has been injury-plagued, and senior Petros Papadakis, who ran for 365 yards and a team-best 8 touchdowns while starting 4 times in 1998 but missed all of 1999 and last spring's practice with a serious foot injury. He should be ready to go this fall.
Sophomores Sultan McCullough (90 carries, 413 yards, 4.6 average, 1 TD in 1999, plus 1 catch, 6.0 average) and Miguel Fletcher are legitimate speed merchants (both also sprint for the USC track team). McCullough, the 1999 Pac-10 100 meters champion and eighth place finisher in the 2000 NCAA 100 (he also ran a leg on USC's 400-meter relay which was fifth at the 2000 NCAA Meet), is the fastest Trojan footballer ever (10.17 in the 100, the best mark in the world last year by an under-20 runner). He showed flashes of his gridiron potential last fall, even jetting 48 yards against UCLA for Troy's longest run of 1999. He and MacKenzie might return kickoffs in 2000. Fletcher, who played some cornerback during the early part of the 1999 season, is back at his more natural tailback spot. A 10.36 sprinter in the 100, he has yet to carry the ball for the Trojans.
"Malaefou and Petros can hit it up hard in the middle and do some damage, yet both are fast enough to break off some big runs," said Hackett. "They' ve both proven their worth in the past. We just need Malaefou to stay healthy and Petros to get healthy. Sultan is a real blazer and creates problems when he gets through a hole or around the corner. As he continues to learn the position, he'll have an impact. Getting Miguel back on offense will benefit both him and our running back corps. He just needs a chance to show what he can do."
Walk-on junior Mark Gomez bolsters the tailback group. Arriving in the fall as a freshman will be prep All-American tailback Chris Howard (Banning High in Wilmington, Calif.).
A trio of Trojans will compete for the fullback job, led by returning starter Charlie Landrigan (11 catches, 5.8 average in 1999), an unheralded junior who performed solidly in 1999. Also in the mix are sophomore Chad Pierson (1 carry, -1 yard, -1.0 average in 1999, plus 2 catches, 8.0 average) and senior Brennan Ochs, who has 4 career starts (including USC's first 3 games of 1999). All 3 are rugged blockers and good pass catchers, but none has been asked yet to prove his running ability.
"Charlie was a pleasant surprise last season, Chad got hurt early but showed us glimpses of his ability and Brennan is a smart, solid player," said Hackett. "All bring a great deal to the table."
A pair of newcomers-freshman Lee Webb (Crenshaw High in Los Angeles, Calif.) and junior Sunny Byrd (El Camino College in Torrance, Calif.)-will join the fullback fray in the fall.
Returning to his alma mater as the new running backs coach is ex-Trojan fullback Kennedy Pola (formerly at UCLA, Colorado and San Diego State) and Hackett said "it's special to welcome back a great Trojan who will bring out the best in our running back corps."
WIDE RECEIVERS
You'd think that USC would be in trouble at the wide receiver spots in
2000, since such high-caliber players as starters R. Jay Soward and Windrell
Hayes are gone. After all, Soward finished his time at Troy as the school's
No. 4 all-time pass catcher (161 grabs, including 51 last fall), No. 2
kickoff returner and No. 18 punt returner. He scored 32 career touchdowns,
which averaged 48.6 yards each. He was an NFL first round draft pick.
Hayes caught 79 passes in his Trojan career, including a team-best 55 in
1999 with 4 TDs.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Marcell Allmond, So. -- 3 starts in '99
Keary Colbert, In. Fr. -- '99 prep All-American
Matt Dalton, Jr.
Sandy Fletcher, Rs. Fr.
Stanley Guyness, Sr.
D. Hale, Rs. Fr.
Ryan Kaiser, Jr.
Kareem Kelly, So. -- '99 Pac-10 Frosh of Year
David Munoz, Sr.
Matt Nickels, Sr.
Steve Stevenson, So. -- 1 start in '99
But USC might have the best young wideout corps anywhere, led by experienced sophs Kareem Kelly (54 catches, 16.7 average, 4 TDs in 1999, plus 2.8 punt return average), Marcell Allmond (14 catches, 16.6 average, 2 TDs, plus 17.0 kickoff return average) and Steve Stevenson (6 catches, 14.2 average). Kelly, the 1999 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American second teamer, was USC's second-leading receiver last fall. He set Pac-10 freshman records for most catches (54) and receiving yards (902) while starting twice. The only Trojan with a catch in every game in 1999, he had 4 outings with 100 receiving yards. He was third in the Pac-10 in receiving yards (75.2). Allmond started 3 times in 1999, while Stevenson's start at Oregon marked the first time that a true freshman started at wide receiver for USC since 1984. Kelly (sprints) and Allmond (hurdles, decathlon), former California state prep champs in their specialties, also compete for the Trojan tracksters. Kelly owns the world junior record in the indoor 50-meter dash, while Allmond was second in the 110-meter high hurdles and seventh in the decathlon at the 2000 Pac-10 Meet. The duo might also return kicks and punts in 2000.
"The wide receiver unit is the most exciting area of our offense," said Hackett, "because we've only just begun to see their development and potential. It's as good of a young wide receiver group as there is in the conference. Kareem had the most chances of the trio last year and really produced. He has some special abilities. Marcell is our power receiver and showed he can do the job, too. And Steve has really come along. He is a receiver with great discipline and technique."
Other wideouts who can contribute are senior Stanley Guyness, whose career has been hampered by injuries, and Matt Nickels, an ex-walk-on who earned a scholarship this season, and redshirt freshman Sandy Fletcher, who spent the early part of last season as a safety and also briefly played point guard on the USC basketball team this past season, plus a quartet of walk-ons: senior David Munoz, juniors Matt Dalton (he worked at quarterback earlier in his Trojan career) and Ryan Kaiser, and redshirt freshman D. Hale.
Entering in the fall as a freshman will be prep All-American Keary Colbert (Hueneme High in Oxnard, Calif.).
Coaching the wide receivers is newcomer Dan Ferrigno, who previously coached at California and Oregon State. Hackett said he "is a well-respected wide receivers coach and well versed in our offense."
TIGHT ENDS
Senior Antoine Harris (8 catches, 12.3 average, 1 TD in 1999), a reliable
veteran, will start at tight end for his fourth season in 2000 and could be
in for a big senior campaign. An accomplished blocker and able receiver, he
has 33 receptions with 2 touchdowns in his career.
"Antoine has worked hard throughout his career, and particularly in this off-season, to have a great senior year," said Hackett. "He's more serious than ever. He's a nice combination blocker and receiver from the tight end spot. We hope to expand the role of our tight end this fall."
TIGHT ENDS
Joe Boskovich, Rs. Fr.
Alex Bottom, Rs. Fr.
Doyal Butler, In. So.
Chad Cook, Rs. Fr.
Gregg Guenther Jr., -- In. Fr.
ANTOINE HARRIS, Sr. -- 3-year starter
Alex Holmes, In. Fr. -- '99 prep All-American
There's not a lot of returning depth behind him, as redshirt freshman Chad Cook likely will miss the 2000 campaign after suffering a knee injury in the spring and redshirt freshmen Joe Boskovich and Alex Bottom are a walk-ons (Boskovich also might be the long snapper).
But three top-quality recruits enter the picture this fall: sophomore Doyal Butler (Mesa Community College in Mesa, Ariz.), who spent 1998 at Purdue, plus freshmen Alex Holmes (Harvard-Westlake High in North Hollywood, Calif.), a prep All-American, and Gregg Guenther Jr. (Taft High in Woodland Hills, Calif.).
Ex-Syracuse and NFL assistant Brian Schottenheimer, the son of former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, is Troy's new tight ends coach. Hackett calls him "one of the bright young offensive coaches in the nation."
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
For the first time in Hackett's 3 years, USC has solid depth on its
offensive line. But, as has been the case the past 2 seasons, Troy's
offensive success will depend heavily on the performance of these blockers.
"We need to get some questions answered on the offensive line in terms of personnel and development," said Hackett. "This is a talented group, but we must settle on the starters and then have them develop properly. I am counting on this group getting better and better as the season unfolds. That's going to be key to the development of our offense. But at least we finally have a lot of good players to work with."
The left side of the Trojan line is the most set. Dependable senior Brent McCaffrey will start for his third season at tackle. Senior Trevor Roberts, who started 3 times at left tackle last year, enters the fall as the starting left guard. But junior Faaesea Mailo, who started 5 times last fall at guard (and backed up now-departed Donta Kendrick there the rest of the time), could reclaim that job or he could move out to tackle. He also was used as a fullback in short yardage situations at times last year and proved to be a devastating blocker, watch for him in the backfield again in 2000.
Some younger players will vie for the backup status on the left side, including sophomore guard Derek Graf (he'll also work on the right side), redshirt freshman tackle Eric Torres and redshirt frosh guard Norm Katnik. Graf also can play tackle and Katnik can slide to center.
"The left side of the line shapes up well," said Hackett. "Brent is a solid, steady, veteran lineman who should have a good senior year. Trevor has some experience and it appears his time has come. Faaesea is experienced and is very strong. He's versatile enough to play inside or outside. And we have some outstanding young guys with promising futures competing with them."
The right side of USC's line is more tenuous, particularly with the loss of 1999 All-Pac-10 first team tackle Travis Claridge, last year's Pac-10 Morris Trophy winner who started all 48 games of his USC career (the first Trojan offensive lineman ever to do so without redshirting).
Sophomore Zach Wilson, who started the final 7 games of 1999 at guard and was impressive enough to earn Freshman All-American second team notice, figures to start there once again. He's versatile enough to play tackle, too. Redshirt freshman Lenny Vandermade will compete with Wilson at guard and also can play center.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Carlos Acosta, In. Jr., C
ERIC DENMON, Sr., C -- 12 career starts
Phillip Eaves, Jr., OT
Derek Graf, So., OG-OT
Blair Jones, In. Fr., OT -- '99 prep All-American
Norm Katnik, Rs. Fr., OG-C
Faaesea Mailo, Jr., OT-OG -- 8 career starts
BRENT McCAFFREY, Sr., OT -- 2-year starter
Joe McGuire, In. Fr., OT -- '99 prep All-American
Trevor Roberts, Sr., OG-OT -- 3 starts in '99
Jacob Rogers, Rs. Fr., OT
Nate Steinbacher, Rs. Fr., OT
Eric Torres, Rs. Fr., OT
Lenny Vandermade, Rs. Fr., OG-C
Travis Watkins, In. Fr., OG-C -- '99 prep All-American
ZACH WILSON, So., OG-OT -- '99 Frosh All-American 2nd team
But Claridge's replacement at tackle must be found. The leader coming out of spring practice was redshirt freshmen Jacob Rogers, who was a tight end last season. Pushing him are junior college transfer Phillip Eaves (Riverside City College in Riverside, Calif.), who enrolled at USC last spring as a junior and participated in spring practice, and redshirt frosh Nate Steinbacher.
"Our line's right side is still somewhat unsettled," said Hackett. "Zach got lots of experience last fall and did well. He could prove to be a mainstay up front. Jacob is a talented young player whose emergence this spring wa a nice surprise."
Hackett is most concerned about the center position, particularly the depth. Senior Eric Denmon started most of last year, but his Trojan career has been marked by nagging injuries. So Vandermade and Katnik will get some work here.
"Eric is a solid player and has worked hard to get ready for his senior year," said Hackett. "But he needs to stay healthy. That's why we need to develop some depth here."
Coming aboard this fall are 4 players who could figure in the line's mix: junior center Carlos Acosta (Moorpark Junior College in Thousand Oaks, Calif.), freshmen prep All-American tackles Joe McGuire (Servite High in Anaheim, Calif.) and Blair Jones (Newport Harbor High in Newport Beach, Calif.), and freshman prep All-American guard-center Travis Watkins (Helix High in La Mesa, Calif.).
The responsibility of shaping the offensive line goes to Steve Morton, who was USC's tight ends coach last season but specialized in offensive linemen while an assistant at Washington, Washington State and Iowa State. "He a well-respected, experienced offensive line coach," said Hackett, "and having him on our staff already has made for a smooth transition. I'm fired up about his new role."
DEFENSE
Ten starters-linebackers Zeke Moreno and Markus Steele, tackles Ennis Davis
and Ryan Nielsen, ends Sultan Abdul-Malik, Lonnie Ford, Matt Childers and
Shamsud-Din Abdul-Shaheed (Abdul-Malik was a linebacker in 1999, while
Childers and Abdul-Shaheed shared starts at end last year),cornerbacks
Antuan Simmons and Kris Richard and safety Ifeanyi Ohalete-return on defense
in 2000. Three others who started at least once in 1999 also are on the
roster (cornerback Darrell Rideaux and linebackers Darryl Knight and Kori
Dickerson). USC's top 3 tacklers from last fall are back, as are its 1999
leaders in every other defensive category (tackles for losses, sacks,
interceptions, fumble recoveries, forced fumbles, pass deflections and
blocked kicks). This group will be asked to improve upon a defense that was
fairly stingy in 1999. Last fall, USC led the Pac-10 in rushing defense
(117.3), and was third in both total defense (373.0) and scoring defense
(23.2). Also, the Trojans were third in the U.S. in turnover margin (+1.2,
tops in the Pac-10), USC was first nationally in total takeaways (39), tied
for second in fumble recoveries (18) and tied for third in interceptions
(21). Trojan defenders scored 8 touchdowns in 1999 (5 on interceptions, 3
on fumble recoveries).
"We are an improved defense team and I'm excited about that," said Hackett. "Defensively, this year reminds me somewhat of my first year at USC. When I took this job in 1998, we had an experienced defense returning and a developing offense. Defensively, we ended up leading the Pac-10 in just about every category. Last year was just the opposite, as we had a veteran offense and a rebuilding defense where starters were lining up for the first time, many at new positions.
"No question, our team's strength this year is the defense. We're pretty settled except for a couple spots. We'll really lean on our defense. It is deep and experienced at every position. The competition for playing time at every position is unlike it has been the past 2 years. We're especially expecting our front 7 to step it up to an even higher level of play. I like our talent, our experience, our youth and our speed on defense.
"We were the top takeaway team in the country last year and we want to build on that. We want to remain in that attack mode, but we want to become more efficient and disciplined so we won't have any big-play breakdowns."
Bill Young is back for his third year as Troy's defensive coordinator and, said Hackett, "Bill has a marvelous track record coordinating defenses and has done an outstanding job for us."
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
"The defensive line is the most veteran unit on our entire team," said
Hackett. "We're two deep at all four positions. Our defensive line can
control the tempo of a game."
You'd be hard-pressed to find a better pair of tackles than USC's returning starters: senior Ennis Davis (31 tackles, 7 for losses, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries in 1999), a 2-year starter, and junior Ryan Nielsen (39 tackles, 6 for losses, 1 fumble recovery in 1999). Davis, a 1998 All-Pac-10 first teamer, was never quite himself last season after suffering a knee injury in the 1998 Sun Bowl, but he still showed his big-play potential often, tying for the team lead in sacks (5) and even intercepting a pair of passes (returning one 30 yards for a TD as he hurdled his 300-pound body over an opponent to get into the end zone). The underrated Nielsen was named USC's Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1999.
Sophomore Bernard Riley (5 tackles in 1999), who appeared mostly in short yardage situations last fall, and junior Bobby DeMars (1 tackle in 1999), who also can play end, will push this duo for time.
"Ennis has shown very positive signs of being completely back to his old, dominating self," said Hackett. "It's almost unbelievable to see the difference in him from the past 2 years. I can't say enough about Ryan and the job he did last year. He really was our top defensive lineman in 1999, certainly our most consistent. Bernard is a young player who is going to have a great career at USC and Bobby is playing the best that he has ever played."
USC's already-deep group of ends was bolstered by the return of senior Sultan Abdul-Malik (27 tackles, 7 for losses, 1 fumble recovery in 1999) to the position. He was USC's sack leader in 1997 and 1998 while starting at end, but started at strongside linebacker last fall. He has been moved back to the line to take advantage of his pass rushing skills (he has 19 sacks in his career).
"Getting Sultan back on the line really adds another dimension to our defense," said Hackett. "He's most comfortable there and is capable of making a big play on every snap. He's a dominant pass rusher."
Abdul-Malik will compete with junior Lonnie Ford (25 tackles, 10 for losses in 1999), who started at end in 1999 after playing tight end earlier in his USC career. His 5 sacks last fall gave him a share of the Trojan lead.
"Lonnie is a very steady player capable of disrupting defenses and making big plays," said Hackett. "He made a great transition moving over from offense last season and is now at the top of his game."
The other end spot again will be manned by seniors Matt Childers (24 tackles, 7 for losses in 1999) and Shamsud-Din Abdul-Shaheed (22 tackles in 1999). They are an interchangeable pair as Childers started 7 times last season and Abdul-Shaheed had 5 starts. Childers tied for the team lead in sacks (5) in 1999. Abdul-Shaheed also can slide over to play tackle, something he did often in 1998.
"Matt and Shamsud-Din are poised veterans who give us solid performances game in and game out," said Hackett. "We don't miss a beat when one replaces the other."
Fighting for playing time at the end spots are sophomore Anthony Daye and redshirt freshman Omar Nazel, whose potential is unlimited.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
SULTAN ABDUL-MALIK, Sr., DE -- 3-year starter
SHAMSUD-DIN ABDUL-SHAHEED, Sr., DE-DT -- 12 career starts
Sagan Atuatasi, In. Fr., DT -- '98 prep All-American
MATT CHILDERS, Sr., DE -- 7 starts in '99
ENNIS DAVIS, Sr., DT -- 2-year starter
Anthony Daye, So., DE
Bobby DeMars, Jr., DT-DE
LONNIE FORD, Jr., DE -- 13 career starts
Nathan Goodson, In. Fr., DE -- '99 prep All-American
Omar Nazel, Rs. Fr., DE
RYAN NIELSEN, Jr., DT -- 12 career starts
Bernard Riley, So., DT
Kenechi Udeze, In. Fr., DT -- '99 prep All-American
Jamaal Williams, In. Fr., DE
In the fall, prep All-American Nathan Goodson (Temescal Canyon High in Lake Elsinore, Calif.) and Jamaal Williams (St. Augustine High in San Diego, Calif.) come in as freshmen ends, while fellow prep All-Americans Kenechi Udeze (Verbum Dei High in Los Angeles, Calif.) and Sagan Atuatasi (Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos, Calif.) will be a frosh tackles.
Ed Orgeron is in his third season as the Trojans' defensive line coach. "You won't find a better defensive line coach than Ed," said Hackett. "His record speaks for itself and his players love to play for him."
LINEBACKERS
Even though one of 1999's starting linebackers-Sultan Abdul-Malik-moved to
the defensive line, there's no cause for concern at the Trojan linebacker
position in 2000. That's because the 2 returning starters are good enough
to merit consideration for the Butkus Award: seniors Zeke Moreno (108
tackles, 7 for losses, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries in 1999) in the
middle and Markus Steele (91 tackles, 12 for losses, 2 fumble recoveries, 1
interception in 1999) on the weak side. Moreno, who will be starting for
his third year, was USC's leading tackler in 1999. He was third in the
Pac-10 in tackles (9.0), tied for first in forced fumbles (5) and tied for
third in fumble recoveries (2). He also might serve as USC's long snapper
in 2000. Steele, who made an immediate impact in 1999 after transferring
from a junior college, topped Troy in tackles for losses last season and was
second in total tackles. He was third in the Pac-10 in forced fumbles (3)
and tied for third in fumble recoveries (2). Each found the end zone in
1999, Moreno twice (on an interception and fumble recovery against Oregon
State) and Steele once (on a fumble recovery at Hawaii). Steele missed
spring practice while recovering from post-season shoulder surgery, but
should be AOK this fall.
"I wouldn't swap those 2 linebackers for any in the country," said Hackett. "As good as Zeke is, I expect him to take his game to the next level in 2000. He has to compete all year to be the best in the nation, and I think he will do that. He is one of the most savvy and athletic linebackers in the country. Markus, quite simply, is an impact player. He has great speed and is a real hitter. It was amazing how well he made the jump from junior college to Division I football last season. We missed him this spring, but we expect to have him back at 100% in the fall."
Juniors Henry Wallace (8 tackles in 1999) and Darryl Knight (19 tackles, 2 for losses in 1999), a 2-game starter last fall, plus senior Ryan Shapiro (1 tackle in 1999), a former walk-on who earned a scholarship this year, back up Steele.
The starter at the strongside spot vacated by Abdul-Malik appears to be junior Kori Dickerson (14 tackles in 1999), who played defensive end earlier in his career (even starting once there last fall). He also high jumps for the USC track squad. Behind him are redshirt freshman Chris Prosser, plus John Cousins (West Los Angeles Community College in Los Angeles, Calif.), a junior college transfer who enrolled at USC in the spring and participated in spring drills, and sophomore Scott Huber (1 catch, 2.0 average in 1999), a converted tight end.
"There will be an all-out battle between Kori and Chris," said Hackett. "Kori is a phenomenal athlete who should benefit from the move to linebacker. He's heading in the right direction."
LINEBACKERS
John Cousins, Jr.
Kori Dickerson, Jr. -- 1 start in '99
Aaron Graham, So.
Armand Holland, So.
Scott Huber, So. -- Converted TE
Darryl Knight, Jr. -- 2 starts in '99
ZEKE MORENO, Sr. -- USC top tackler in '99
Mike Pollard, So.
Chris Prosser, Rs. Fr.
Ryan Shapiro, Sr.
A.J. Single, In. Fr. -- '99 prep All-American
MARKUS STEELE, Sr. -- USC top tackles for loss in '99
Michael Torres, Jr.
Henry Wallace, Jr.
Angling to back up Moreno in the middle will be sophomores Aaron Graham (4 tackles, 1 fumble recovery in 1999), Armand Holland, who has yet to see any action at USC, and Mike Pollard, who missed the 1999 campaign while recovering from a knee injury.
"Here's another example of how competition will only make us a better team," said Hackett. "Aaron had an impressive debut last year and Armand just needs to get some on-field experience to make his mark. Mike really has been affected by the injury and we just hope he can return to form because he's capable of being a good one."
Another linebacker on the roster is walk-on junior Michael Torres.
Prep All-American A.J. Single (Bonita Vista High in Chula Vista, Calif.) enters as a freshman in the fall.
In his first year at USC as the linebackers coach is A.J. Christoff, who has been an assistant at Colorado, Alabama, Notre Dame, UCLA, Stanford, Oregon and Georgia Tech. "Having someone with his history and experience will provide quite a boost for our linebackers," said Hackett.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
If it's competition you're looking for, watch USC's secondary throughout
the 2000 season. The Trojans are well-stocked here, particularly at the
cornerback spots, so expect all the players to be going all out all the time
to get into the lineup. It's also possible that there could be some
shifting of positions between the corners and safeties.
"It would be an understatement to say there will be lots of competition in the secondary," said Hackett. "This not only will help improve our defensive backs, but our wide receivers will be facing stiff coverage every play of every practice. Everybody wins in that case. As a coach, you've got to really like that."
Both cornerbacks who started in 1999 are back and they're good ones. Junior Kris Richard (44 tackles, 6 interceptions, 9 deflections, 1 fumble recovery in 1999) led USC in interceptions (tied for 17th nationally) last season (he returned 2 for scores), opening some eyes in the process. He also might be asked to return punts and kickoffs in 2000. Senior Antuan Simmons (49 tackles, 6 for losses, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 10 deflections in 1999), a 3-year starter who has blocked 6 kicks in his career (including 2 field goals and a PAT last year), missed spring drills while recovering from late-season back surgery. He then had surgery in May to remove an abdominal tumor and might redshirt the 2000 season while recuperating. He returned a fumble 44 yards for a TD at Arizona in 1999.
"Kris and Antuan had solid seasons last year and we expect both to improve in 2000," said Hackett. "Based on what he did last year, Kris has become a premier player. He is an outstanding coverage corner with good technique. Antuan is one of the top defensive players in the Pac-10. He is a very aggressive, tested player. Whether he is ready to play in 2000 remains to be seen."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Kevin Arbet, So., S-CB
Danny Bravo, Sr., S
Chris Cash, Jr., CB -- '99 JC All-American
Matt Grootegoed, In. Fr., S -- '99 prep All-American
DeShaun Hill, So., S-CB
Jason Leach, In. Fr., S -- '99 prep All-American
Spencer McCroskey, Rs. Fr., S
John Morgan, Sr., S
IFEANYI OHALETE, Sr., S -- 16 career starts
Troy Polamalu, So., S
Eric Reese, Jr., CB
KRIS RICHARD, Jr., CB -- USC interception leader in '99
Darrell Rideaux, So., CB -- 2 starts in '99
ANTUAN SIMMONS, Sr., CB -- 3-year starter
Frank Strong, Jr., S
Among the corners on their heels are juniors Eric Reese (4 tackles in 1999) and Chris Cash (Palomar Junior College in San Marcos, Calif.), a junior college transfer who enrolled at USC last spring and participated in spring practice, and sophomore Darrell Rideaux (31 tackles, 5 deflections in 1999), who started USC's last 2 games of 1999 for an injured Simmons and was named a Freshman All-American second teamer. Rideaux doubles as a sprinter for the Trojan tracksters (in the spring of 2000, he was fifth in the 100 meters at the Pac-10 Meet and ran leadoff for the 400-meter relay squad which was fifth at the NCAA Meet).
"Those 3 are really good corners and each could do a fine job as a starter," said Hackett. "Eric has made good progress at the position. Chris was the top junior college corner in the country last year and getting him was a huge addition to our team. Darrell was one of the top young corners anywhere. He was baptized last season and did very well."
Last season's starting free safety, senior Ifeanyi Ohalete (84 tackles, 15 deflections, 2 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries in 1999) will move to strong safety in 2000, where he will compete for the job with sophomore Troy Polamalu (12 tackles, 2 for losses in 1999). Ohalete led USC in deflections (15) and was third in tackles (84) in 1999, and also tied for first in the Pac-10 in forced fumbles (5) and fumbles recovered (3). They'll be looking to fill the shoes of USC's only departed defensive starter from last season, 1999 All-Pac-10 first teamer David Gibson, a 3-year starter who had 241 career tackles (81 last fall).
"Ifeanyi is an experienced veteran who had some bright moments last year," said Hackett. "The move to strong safety suits his skills. He's a savvy player who can be an enforcer. Troy is an up-and-coming, very athletic player. He's young, but he is ready to play. He can be a real force."
Other strong safeties are senior John Morgan (6 tackles in 1999), who likely will miss the 2000 season after suffering a knee injury in last spring's practice (he can also play free safety), and a pair of walk-ons, senior Danny Bravo and redshirt freshman Spencer McCroskey.
Two players will go at it to take over Ohalete's free safety spot: sophomore Kevin Arbet (13 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery in 1999), a converted cornerback who made such an immediate impression in 1999 that he earned a scholarship during his initial fall camp, and junior Frank Strong (1 tackle in 1999), a one-time tailback who was moved to defense in the middle of last season. Arbet, who started twice in 1999 as an extra defensive back, returned an interception 75 yards for a TD against Louisiana Tech last season. He also might return punts.
"Kevin proved to be a very good cornerback last season," said Hackett. "We 'll try him at free safety because it seems to be a little more of a natural position for him. Frank is a good player, but he is relatively inexperienced. He had a pretty good showing this spring."
Sophomore DeShaun Hill (2 tackles in 1999), who was able to redshirt last fall after suffering an early-season back injury, will be a backup at both free safety and cornerback.
Don't count out one of the incoming freshmen safeties-prep All-Americans Matt Grootegoed (Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif.) and Jason Leach (Bishop Amat High in La Puente, Calif.)-having a say once they arrive in the fall.
"If we can settle on our safeties, we should be good in the secondary," said Hackett. "There are lots of excellent players throughout the secondary."
Guiding this group for his eighth year is secondary coach Dennis Thurman, who Hackett said "has set quite a standard for play in the defensive backfield."
SPECIAL TEAMS
The area on the Trojan football team that worries Hackett the most is the
special teams. Although the punter (Mike MacGillivray) and placekicker
(David Newbury) return from 1999, both need to significantly improve upon
their performances from a year ago. And replacements must be found at long
snapper and holder, as well as punt returner and kickoff returner.
What gives Hackett hope is the new approach he is taking to coaching this area in 2000. Instead of just one assistant coach doing all the work, Dan Ferrigno, the new wide receivers coach who has an extensive special teams background, will coordinate Troy's special teams, with the other assistants handling specific areas.
"We must improve all phases of our special teams," said Hackett. "We've got to get back to the form we had in 1998, when our special teams were very productive and efficient. We want our special teams to be a weapon in our overall arsenal.
"I'm really excited about our new coaching philosophy with special teams. We're starting over, with a new attitude. Dan Ferrigno is an expert in this area and he will oversee our special teams, with a different assistant coach handling each phase."
PUNTER
Junior Mike MacGillivray (41.4 average in 1999) is back for his third
season as USC's punter. An effective placement punter with an above-average
leg (22 of his 161 career punts have traveled at least 50 yards), he'll look
to become more consistent in 2000.
"Mike can be a valuable punter for us, but he needs to improve his consistency," said Hackett. "He's a battle-tested veteran. I expect him to take a step up in 2000."
Also available to punt are senior placekicker David Bell, who has handled USC's kickoffs for 3 years but has yet to punt, and walk-on senior wide receiver Matt Nickels.
PLACEKICKER
Although junior David Newbury (11-of-20 field goals, 40-of-42 PATs in 1999)
was USC's placekicker last fall, he and senior David Bell (1-of-2 field
goals, 2-of-2 PATs in 1999) will battle for the job in 2000. Newbury began
his first year at Troy by nailing a season-long 48-yard field goal on his
first attempt at Hawaii in 1999, but then struggled with consistency the
rest of the way. Bell, who has been USC's strong-legged kickoff man for 3
seasons, took over the placement chores for Newbury in the third quarter of
the season-ending Louisiana Tech game and nailed a 38-yard field goal and
both extra point kicks.
John Wall (Birmingham High in Van Nuys, Calif.), a 1999 prep All-American kicker, joins the competition in the fall.
"The kicking job is wide open and we still have a long ways to go," said Hackett. "David (Newbury) certainly has the ability, but he needs to improve his consistency and range. David (Bell) has a powerful leg, but has yet to be put under the pressure of kicking the ball through the uprights when the game is on the line. Whoever emerges, it is imperative that we have a reliable kicking game."
SNAPPER
Pat Swanson, USC's long snapper the past 3 years, is gone, so the likely
replacement is walk-on redshirt freshman Joe Boskovich. Another logical
replacement Swanson's backup from 1999, senior linebacker Zeke Moreno. But
Moreno has yet to handle this important duty in a collegiate game. Also
available are sophomore defensive tackle Bernard Riley, redshirt freshman
offensive guard-center Norm Katnik and incoming JC transfer junior center
Carlos Acosta.
HOLDER
The other component in the kicking game, the holder on the placekicks, will
also be new, since 1999 holder John Fox has graduated. Hackett will search
high and low for his replacement, with senior safety Ifeanyi Ohalete the
most likely candidate. Senior quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst and soph
safety-cornerback Kevin Arbet also are possibilities.
RETURNERS
USC has run back 6 punts and kickoffs for touchdowns during Hackett's
tenure, but the principal returners-R. Jay Soward and Chad Morton-are no
longer around, so other players must emerge in hopes of once again making
the Trojan return game a threat. Potential returners in 2000 are sophomore
wide receivers Kareem Kelly (2.8 punt return average in 1999) and Marcell
Allmond (17.0 kickoff return average in 1999), soph tailback Sultan
McCullough , junior tailback Malaefou MacKenzie, junior cornerback Kris
Richard and sophmore safety-cornerback Kevin Arbet.
KICKERS/PUNTERS
David Bell, Sr., PK-P
MIKE MacGILLIVRAY, Jr., P -- 2-year starter
DAVID NEWBURY, Jr., PK -- 11 field goals in '99
Matt Nickels, Sr., P-WR
John Wall, In. Fr., PK -- '99 prep All-American
