University Southern California Trojans
2003 Outlook
February 24, 2003 | Football
Don't expect the USC football team to put a "what-can-we-do-for-an-encore?" spin on the 2003 season.
Despite the success of 2002, third-year head coach Pete Carroll knows a bright future is not a given.
"It's a long, hard road to play at a top-notch level year in and year out," said Carroll, who directed the 2002 Trojans to an 11-2 record, a No. 4 final ranking, a share of the Pac-10 championship (going 7-1), decisive wins over traditional rivals UCLA and Notre Dame and an impressive victory in the BCS' Orange Bowl...all while playing what was ranked as the nation's toughest schedule.
"It feels like we're just getting started. We're building a championship program here and 2002 was just the start. Our goal every year is to win the Pac-10 title and win the Rose Bowl."
Indeed, 2002 was a season of superlatives for Troy, which accomplished all this despite having several key starters miss significant parts of the season because of injuries. It was USC's most wins since 1979, its highest final ranking since 1979 and its most points (465) and touchdowns (60) since 1972. It was the first time since 1981 that USC beat the Bruins and Irish in the same season (and the first time in back-to-back games since 1978). The Trojans finished in the nation's Top 20 in nearly every team statistical category, and led the Pac-10 in total offense and defense and in scoring offense and defense. USC produced 2 All-American first teamers, including its first Heisman Trophy winner since 1981, and a pair of Freshman All-American first teamers.
USC enters 2003 riding an 8-game winning streak (and a 9-game home winning streak). But Carroll realizes the success of 2002 is not guaranteed this year.
"We have to keep last season in perspective," said Carroll, a National Coach of the Year finalist in 2002 who has won 15 of his last 18 games at USC (including a 7-0 mark in November contests). "We have to remember it's just one season. And it was the first very successful season at USC in a while. So, it's too early yet to say we've arrived.
"With new leadership and new players this year, we need to rediscover our attitude about how to compete. I want this 2003 team to play the best it can play. And that goes back to how hard we work and how we focus and how we compete.
"We have to find that high level again, and it's not automatic. I won't allow our team to think that we already have it. We have to earn it again.
"It's real important to put the parts back together with the players we have coming back."
USC will call upon starters returning at 14 positions (6 on offense, 6 on defense and both kickers). In all, 76 squadmen return, including 56 who saw playing time in 2003 (49 were lettermen and 26 were on the season-ending 2-deep). Some 22 Trojans have started at least once in their career.
Joining them will be 27 new players who comprise what some publications have ranked as the nation's premier recruiting class of 2003. Three high school All-Americans already are enrolled at USC and will participate in spring drills, while the other 24 newcomers (including 18 who were prep and junior college All-Americans in 2002) will begin in the fall.
"The players in this recruiting class all chose USC because they want to do great things," said Carroll, who played 12 first-year freshmen and 2 transfers last fall. "That's exciting for the coaches, the returning players and the fans."
And USC seems to have a particular attraction to Carroll, too.
"I plan on being here for a long time because I can't find a better job description than this," said Carroll. "It's perfect. It's really clear that this is a great setting to work in and I love being here."
Carroll plans to continue the offensive and defensive approach that USC exhibited in his first 2 seasons.
"We want to control the ball on offense and go get it on defense," he said. "That has become my fundamental approach to the game. It was the first thing I ever said to our players and we'll continue to try to build on that approach."
In fact, USC's +1.33 turnover margin the past 2 regular seasons is the best in the nation during that span. Under Carroll, Troy has 71 takeaways while giving the ball away only 37 times.
If the foundation of a team's success is the strength of its lines, then Troy figures to be in good shape in 2003. Both its offensive and defensive fronts return nearly intact.
The USC defense will feature an imposing line and veteran outside linebackers, but the secondary and middle linebacker will have some new faces.
Three starters return on a defensive line that is America's best: ends Kenechi Udeze (a 2-year starter who had 44 tackles, 16 for loss, 7.5 sacks, a Pac-10 high and USC record 6 forced fumbles in 2002) and Omar Nazel (38 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks last fall) and tackle Mike Patterson (37 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks, Pac-10 high 4 fumble recoveries in 2002). Joining them at tackle is Shaun Cody, a 2001 Freshman All-American who started the first 6 games of 2002 before tearing knee ligaments.
Two-year starting strongside linebacker Matt Grootegoed-USC's 2002 leader in tackles (81), tackles for a loss (16.5) and sacks (8) while earning All-Pac-10 first team acclaim-is back, as is weakside linebacker Melvin Simmons (71 tackles in 2002).
Former starting wide receiver Marcell Allmond (34 tackles, 6 deflections, 1 interception last year) is USC's only returning starter in the secondary, where he started the last 7 games of 2002 at cornerback.
But 4 other players have started at times in the secondary: safety Jason Leach (2 starts at strong safety in 2002, when he had a team-high 4 interceptions), plus cornerbacks Kevin Arbet (he missed all of 2002 with a broken foot after getting 4 starts in 2000 and earning All-Pac-10 first team honors in 2001 as a special teams player), Ronald Nunn (he started USC's first 3 games of 2002 before tearing knee ligaments) and William Buchanon (he started for Nunn in the next 3 games of 2002).
USC lost some key starters on defense: 2-time All-American strong safety Troy Polamalu, the 2002 Thorpe Award finalist who was a 3-year starter with 278 tackles, 6 interceptions (3 for TDs) and 4 blocked kicks in his career, 2-year starting middle linebacker Mike Pollard (49 tackles in 2002), free safety DeShaun Hill (54 tackles and a team-best 8 deflections in 2002), cornerback Darrell Rideaux (46 tackles, 7 deflections, 2 interceptions in 2002) and tackle Bernard Riley, who had 19 career starts, including the last 7 games of 2002.
The Trojan offense should be dominant up front and among the receivers, but the entire backfield must be rebuilt.
Starters return at 4 spots on the offensive line, led by tackles Jacob Rogers (a 2-year starter and a 2002 All-Pac-10 first teamer) and Winston Justice (a 2002 Freshman All-American first team pick), center Norm Katnik (another 2-year starter) and a pair of players who started more than half of 2002: guard Lenny Vandermade (a 3-year starter) and tackle Eric Torres (a 2-year starter who started at every position but center in 2002). Rogers and Justice make up the nation's top bookend tackles.
The other offensive starters back are 3-year starting wide receiver Keary Colbert, who had 71 catches for 1,029 yards last fall and is sixth on USC's career receiving chart (he could break the record this year), and sure-handed tight end Alex Holmes, who has 58 career receptions.
Another key offensive player returning is dynamic wide receiver Mike Williams, a 2002 Freshman All-American first team honoree who set NCAA freshman records for catches (81), receiving yards (1,265) and receiving touchdowns (14). He and Colbert form the nation's top receiving duo.
But it will be difficult to offset the loss of such offensive stars as Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Carson Palmer, the Pac-10's career passing and total offense leader who set 32 Pac-10 and USC records, tailbacks Justin Fargas (who ran for 715 yards while starting 5 times in 2002), Sultan McCullough (USC's No. 8 career rusher with 2,800 yards, including a team-high 814 in 2002 while starting 5 games) and Malaefou MacKenzie (who ran for 939 yards and caught 76 passes in his career, and who started the last 7 games of 2002 at fullback), wide receiver Kareem Kelly (USC's career reception leader with 204 and the NCAA recordholder for consecutive games with a catch at 47), and 4-year starting offensive guard Zach Wilson.
Both the punter (Tom Malone) and placekicker (Ryan Killeen) return and show promise. Malone, who averaged 42.1 yards per boot last fall, might be the best young punter in the nation. Killeen, who also handled the kickoffs, hit 16 field goals and all but 2 of his 49 PATs after assuming the placekicking job in the third game of last season.
In terms of difficulty, it might be hard to match USC's 2002 schedule-which featured 11 bowl-bound team, including 9 ranked by AP (and only 1 with a losing record) at the time of the game-but Troy's 2003 slate might not be far behind. USC-which has 3 byes in 2003-will face 8 teams that played in bowls last season, including 3 ranked in the final AP Top 20. The Trojans open on Aug. 30 at SEC power Auburn, picked by some prognosticators as a national title contender in 2003. Then, after hosting BYU and Hawaii, USC ventures into the always-difficult Pac-10 campaign, with 4 of its next 5 games on the road (including its annual tilt with non-conference rival Notre Dame). The Trojans play at California, Arizona State, Washington and Arizona, and host Stanford, Washington State and crosstown foe UCLA. The Pac-10 finale is a home contest against Oregon State on "Championship Saturday" (Dec. 6, the latest USC regular season game since 1980).
"Last year showed that we're willing to play anybody anywhere," said Carroll. "This year's schedule again is very challenging from the first game to the last. We'll have to play championship football every week. It's also a very attractive schedule, so I can see why people are saying that USC tickets are the hottest in town!"
OFFENSE
Starters return at 6 positions on offense in 2003: wide receiver (Keary Colbert), tight end (Alex Holmes), both tackles (Jacob Rogers and Winston Justice), guard (co-starters Lenny Vandermade and Eric Torres, with Torres having started at every line position but center in 2003) and center (Norm Katnik). USC's top 2 receivers and its third-leading rusher are back. The offense, directed by coordinator Norm Chow, will attempt to replicate the success of last season's unit, which finished sixth nationally in passing efficiency (149.2, first in Pac-10), eighth in passing offense (306.8, second in Pac-10), eighth in total offense (449.2, first in Pac-10) and ninth in scoring offense (35.8, first in Pac-10). The Trojans scored 30 points in their last 8 games (a USC first) and tallied 40 points 6 times last fall (the most since 1972). USC had 400-plus yards of total offense in each of its last 9 games. And Troy held the ball more than 8 minutes longer per game than its opponents.
"It was fun to watch last year's offense," said Carroll. "We were balanced and could put up points often and from anywhere. But we won't have the luxury anymore of being able to rely on such great players as Carson Palmer, Justin Fargas, Malaefou MacKenzie, Sultan McCullough, Kareem Kelly and Zach Wilson. So we'll have to adapt.
"Offensively, we should be very strong up front and at wide receiver this season. But we have some holes to fill in the backfield and we'll have to call upon some younger, relatively-untested players. I expect great competition for these spots."
QUARTERBACKS-USC's No. 1 concern in 2003 will be finding a replacement for quarterback Carson Palmer, the 2002 Heisman Trophy winner whose Pac-10 record 11,818 career passing yards and 11,621 yards of total offense were among the 32 Pac-10 and USC marks he set. The All-American first teamer completed 63.2% of his passes (309-of-489) in 2002 for 3,942 yards, 33 TDs and just 10 interceptions.
Four players will get a shot at the job: juniors Matt Cassel (3-of-4, 75.0%, 27 yds in 2002), Palmer's backup the past 2 seasons who has thrown just 6 passes in his career, and Brandon Hance, who sat out last season after transferring from Purdue (he started 9 games there in 2001) and saw limited reps in practice after having surgery on his throwing shoulder, and sophomores Matt Leinart and Billy Hart, neither of whom has thrown a pass at USC while seeing brief action (Hart also plays on the Trojan baseball team). Redshirt freshmen walk-ons Morgan Craig and Nick Vanderboom also are available.
"We'll let all the quarterbacks compete for the job in the spring," said Carroll. "During Orange Bowl practice, we started giving them an opportunity to show what they can do. Matt Cassel and Matt Leinart are big, strong quarterbacks who have competed against each other for a long time, but they have not really separated from one another. That's either a cause for concern or we could be really lucky because it could be that they're both good. Brandon Hance did very, very well in the limited time he had last season. He and Billy Hart are smaller guys with a little more quickness and mobility than the others. So we've got two styles of quarterbacks, but we don't know yet who's going to help our team."
QUARTERBACKS
Matt Cassel, Jr. 6 career passes
Morgan Craig, Rs. Fr.
Brandon Hance, Jr. '01 Purdue starter
Billy Hart, So.
Matt Leinart, So.
Nick Vanderboom, Rs. Fr.
RUNNING BACKS
Last year, USC relied on 3 effective senior tailbacks to carry the load: Justin Fargas (who started 5 late-season games and rushed for 715 yards and 7 TDs), Sultan McCullough (a 5-game starter who led the Trojans with 814 yards and 8 TDs, and finished eighth on the school's career rushing list with 2,800 yards) and Malaefou MacKenzie (a 3-game starter at tailback and 7-game starter at fullback who ran for 939 yards and caught 76 passes in his career).
In 2003, the only experienced tailback is promising sophomore Hershel Dennis (49 tcb, 198 yds, 4.0 avg, 1 TD in 2002, plus 4 rec , 23 yds, 5.8 avg and 9 KOR, 151 yds, 16.8 avg). He was USC's No. 3-leading rusher and its top kickoff returner.
Joining him in the fall as freshmen will be a terrific trio of prep All-Americans: Reggie Bush (Helix High in La Mesa, Calif.), Chauncey Washington (South Torrance High in Torrance, Calif.) and LenDale White (Chatfield High in Littleton, Colo.).
With MacKenzie gone, a new fullback must emerge. Sophomore Brandon Hancock (3 tcb, 8 yds, 2.7 avg in 2002, plus 2 rec, 15 yds, 7.5 avg and 4 tac, 1 FR), who started twice last fall, is the leading candidate. Other possibilities are junior Lee Webb (3 tac in 2002), who also has played linebacker at USC, and sophomore David Kirtman (2 tac, 1 FF in 2002). Walk-on redshirt freshman safety Mike Brittingham also might be tried at fullback.
Because Dennis will be USC's only tailback in the spring, some of the fullbacks might work at tailback. USC might also experiment at the position with players like freshman safety Darnell Bing or sophomore cornerback Justin Wyatt.
"We expect big things out of Hershel Dennis," said Carroll. "And once the freshmen enroll in the fall, we should have some healthy competition for playing time. It's also imperative that someone emerges who can help us at fullback. We have high hopes that Brandon Hancock will be a good fullback. He's perfectly suited for the position."
RUNNING BACKS
Reggie Bush, In. Fr., TB '02 prep All-American
Hershel Dennis, So., TB 198 yards in '02
Brandon Hancock, So., FB
David Kirtman, So., FB
Lee Webb, Jr., FB
Chauncey Washington, In. Fr., TB '02 prep All-American
LenDale White, In. Fr., TB '02 prep All-American
WIDE RECEIVERS
Even though USC career reception leader Kareem Kelly-he had 204 catches, including 46 last fall, and set an NCAA record by catching a pass in 47 consecutive games-is gone, the Trojans are in good shape in the wide receivers corps as a pair of 1,000-yard receivers (a first at Troy) are back. Both are playmakers who could win 2003 post-season honors and they form the top receiving duo in the country.
Underrated, yet consistent, senior Keary Colbert (71 rec, 1,029 yds, 14.5 avg, 5 TD in 2002, plus 2 tcb, 36 yds, 18.0 avg, 1 TD) will start for his fourth season. He is sixth on USC's career receptions ladder with 138 grabs and a repeat of last season's 71-catch output will push him past Kelly as the school's all-time leading pass catcher.
"You can count on Keary Colbert, day in and day out," said Carroll. "He is putting together a great career. He's just a fabulous receiver."
Even if Colbert breaks Kelly's mark, Keyshawn-esque sophomore Mike Williams (81 rec, 1,265 yds, 15.6 avg, 14 TD) is poised to shatter the standard before his career concludes. He won Freshman All-American first team status last fall and was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year when he set NCAA frosh records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He was 16th nationally in receiving yards (97.3) and 20th in receptions (6.2) while starting twice. He caught a TD pass in 7 consecutive games (including 3 against Washington to tie a USC game record) and his 14 TD catches not only were the second most in the nation, but tied the USC season mark. He had 5 100-yard receiving games, including 4 in a row. He caught 13 passes at Oregon, a USC frosh record.
"Mike Williams had a huge freshman year and set a standard of greatness," said Carroll. "He's a special receiver who uses his size and speed well. He should only get better in the coming years."
Dependable backup receivers need to emerge. But no other wide receiver on the roster caught a ball last year. The cast includes seniors D. Hale, a walk-on-turned-scholarship winner who has started once in his career (he caught 7 passes in 2001), and Sandy Fletcher (2 tac in 2002), junior Jason Mitchell (3 KOR, 35 yds, 11.7 avg in 2002), sophomore Greig Carlson (27 PR, 177 yds, 6.6 avg in 2002), and sure-handed redshirt freshman Chris McFoy. Hale missed the first half of 2002 with a fractured ankle, Fletcher was bothered midseason by an ankle sprain and Mitchell had an early-season back injury that allowed him to redshirt. Carlson, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship this spring, was USC's top punt returner in 2002. Three walk-ons also figure in: juniors Forrest Mozart (2 tac, 1 BLK in 2002, plus 1 PR, 23 yds, 23.0 avg), a top special teams player, and Steve Levario Jr., and redshirt freshman John Zilka.
"It's crucial that we find a third and fourth receiver who we can count on," said Carroll. "Between the returnees and the incoming players, I believe we will."
To that end, a pair of the nation's most highly sought-after high school pass catchers will enroll at USC in the fall as freshmen: prep All-Americans Whitney Lewis (St. Bonaventure High in Ventura, Calif.) and Steve Smith (Taft High in Woodland Hills, Calif.).
WIDE RECEIVERS
Greig Carlson, So. Won scholarship in '03
KEARY COLBERT, Sr. USC's No. 6 career receiver
Sandy Fletcher, Sr.
D. Hale, Sr. 1 career start
Steve Levario Jr., Jr.
Whitney Lewis, In. Fr. '02 prep All-American
Chris McFoy, Rs. Fr.
Jason Mitchell, Jr.
Forrest Mozart, Jr.
Steve Smith, In. Fr. '02 prep All-American
Mike Williams, So. '02 Freshman All-American
John Zilka, Rs. Fr.
TIGHT ENDS
USC is well-stocked at tight end, with a returning starter and a pair of experienced backups.
Senior Alex Holmes (29 rec, 320 yds, 11.0 avg, 2 TD in 2002, plus 5 tac, 1 FF), who has caught 58 passes in his career, is back as the starter. His 29 clutches last year were the most by a Trojan tight end since 1993. He is equally adept blocking and receiving.
Behind him are junior Gregg Guenther Jr. (7 rec, 39 yds, 5.6 avg, 1 TD in 2002), who started once last fall, and sophomore Dominique Byrd (1 rec, 10 yds, 10.0 avg in 2002, plus 2 tac). Guenther, USC's tallest player at 6-8, also stars on the Trojan men's basketball squad.
"We have a trio of outstanding tight ends and that's important because we emphasize that position in our scheme," said Carroll. "Alex Holmes is a solid, proven performer who has made some clutch catches for us."
TIGHT ENDS
Dominique Byrd, So.
Gregg Guenther Jr., Jr. Also plays basketball
ALEX HOLMES, Sr. 58 career catches
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
The 2003 version of USC's offensive line might be Troy's best in years. Players return at 4 positions-only 4-year starting right guard Zach Wilson is gone-and there are some big-potential younger players angling for time.
Both tackles return and they're good ones: senior Jacob Rogers, a 2-year starter who earned All-Pac-10 first team laurels in 2002, and sophomore Winston Justice, a 2002 Freshman All-American first teamer. Both are in line for 2003 post-season honors. They make up the nation's best bookend tackles
Senior Lenny Vandermade, a 3-year starter, returns at left guard (he also has started at center in his career) and should be recovered from a torn biceps which sidelined him for the last 4 outings of 2002 (he might be limited during spring practice). His fill-in is also back, senior Eric Torres, who started 7 times in 2002 at every line spot except center (Torres started all of 2001 at right tackle). He broke his left ankle in the Orange Bowl and will miss spring drills.
And reliable center Norm Katnik, another 2-year starter, returns. He also has started at guard and tackle in his USC tenure.
Returning squadmen looking to work into the rotation are senior tackle Nate Steinbacher, who worked some at defensive tackle last fall, junior guard Travis Watkins and redshirt freshmen Fred Matua, a guard who was set to start the 2002 opener before a knee sprain sidelined him, center Kurt Katnik (Norm's younger brother) and tackle Kyle Williams, plus walk-on redshirt freshman guard John Lanza.
Coming aboard this fall will be guard John Drake (Long Beach City College in Long Beach, Calif.), a junior college transfer who will be a junior, plus 4 freshmen: a trio of prep All-Americans in Sam Baker (Tustin High in Tustin, Calif.) at guard, Ryan Kalil (Servite High in Anaheim, Calif.) at center and Drew Radovich (Mission Viejo High in Mission Viejo, Calif.) at tackle, as well as tackle Travis Draper (Paso Robles High in Paso Robles, Calif.).
"The strength of our offense is the line, and that's how it should be every year," said Carroll. "This is an experienced, veteran unit with some high-quality youngsters looking to break in. We just need to find a starting right guard; it's a wide-open competition that will be exciting to watch develop. But you won't find any better tackles than Jacob Rogers and Winston Justice, and Norm Katnik, Lenny Vandermade and Eric Torres are all solid, battle-tested veterans."
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Sam Baker, In. Fr., OG '02 prep All-American
John Drake, In. Jr., OG
Travis Draper, In. Fr., OT
WINSTON JUSTICE, So., OT '02 Freshman All-American
Ryan Kalil, In. Fr., C '02 prep All-American
Kurt Katnik, Rs. Fr., C
NORM KATNIK, Sr., C 2-year starter
John Lanza, Rs. Fr., OG
Fred Matua, Rs. Fr., OG
Drew Radovich, In. Fr., OT '02 prep All-American
JACOB ROGERS, Sr., OT 2-year starter
Nate Steinbacher, Sr., OT
ERIC TORRES, Sr., OT 2-year starter
LENNY VANDERMADE, Sr., OG 3-year starter
Travis Watkins, Jr., OG
Kyle Williams, Rs. Fr., OT
DEFENSE
Six defensive starters return from 2002: linebackers Matt Grootegoed and Melvin Simmons, ends Kenechi Udeze and Omar Nazel, tackle Mike Patterson and cornerback Marcell Allmond. Others back with starting experience are tackle Shaun Cody, who started for his second year in 2002 before tearing a knee ligament midseason, as well as three cornerbacks-Kevin Arbet, Ronald Nunn and William Buchanon-and safety Jason Leach. The top 2 tacklers, plus the leaders in interceptions, tackles for loss, sacks, fumble recoveries and forced fumbles, return from 2002's dominant defense that was sixth nationally in rushing defense (83.2, first in Pac-10), sixth in total defense (284.9, first in Pac-10), fifth in turnover margin (+1.4, second in Pac-10), 17th in scoring defense (18.5, first in Pac-10) and 19th in pass efficiency defense (102.5, second in Pac-10). Last year, USC held 9 teams under 100 yards rushing (including 7 times in a row) and no runner eclipsed the 100-yard rushing barrier. The Trojans allowed foes to convert just 27.6% of third downs.
"Last year's defense played almost exactly how I hoped it would," said Carroll, who serves as the defensive coordinator. "We dominated at times and were opportunistic. Although we lost some talented players who will be difficult to replace-guys like Troy Polamalu, Mike Pollard, Darrell Rideaux, DeShaun Hill and Bernard Riley-many of the ingredients from that unit are back in 2003.
"We should be very, very good up front on defense and on the edges this year. But we must come up with a middle linebacker and the secondary needs to solidify. We'll have a lot of players competing hard to get into the rotation."
>DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Simply put, USC's defensive line is the best in the nation.
Nicknamed "The Wild Bunch II" in honor of USC's famous 1969 defensive front, 4 key veterans-each could win 2003 post-season honors-return from a unit that was sixth in country last fall versus the rush (allowing just 83.2 yards per game) and let only 4 of 13 offenses run for more than 100 yards (no individual ever rushed for 100 yards). More than half of USC's 43 sacks last season were by defensive linemen.
Both ends return: senior Omar Nazel (38 tac, 10.5 for loss, 6.5 sac, 7 dfl, 1 int, 1 FF in 2002) and junior Kenechi Udeze (44 tac, 16 for loss, 7.5 sack, 6 FF, 1 FR, 1 int, 1 dfl, 1 BLK in 2002). Udeze, a 2-year starter, set a USC record with his Pac-10 leading 6 forced fumbles.
Also back is junior Mike Patterson (37 tac, 11.5 for loss, 5.5 sack, 4 FR, 1 dfl in 2002), who started 10 times at nose tackle and 3 at defensive tackle last fall. His 4 fumble recoveries topped the Pac-10. Look for him at nose tackle in 2002.
Although tackle Bernard Riley-he had 19 career starts, including the last 7 games of 2002, when he posted 25 tackles-is gone, a familiar face will re-assume that defensive tackle spot. Junior Shaun Cody (20 tac, 1 for loss, 1 dfl, 1 FR, 1 BLK in 2002), a 2001 Freshman All-American first teamer, started the first 6 games of 2002 before tearing knee ligaments. He'll likely miss spring drills, but should be ready to go in the fall.
"Our defensive line is exceptional," said Carroll. "Shaun Cody, Kenechi Udeze, Mike Patterson and Omar Nazel are outstanding players, among the best in the nation. However, we must develop their backups and get them ready to maintain a high level of performance."
Among the returning squadmen pushing for time are junior ends Van Brown (4 tac, 1.5 sack in 2002) and Daniel Urquhart and, at tackle, junior A.J. Single (he missed last season with a shoulder injury), soph LaJuan Ramsey (1 tac, 1 FR in 2002) and redshirt freshman Travis Tofi. Then there's junior walk-ons Jay Bottom at end and Spencer Torgan (2 tac, 1 sack in 2002) at tackle. Sophomore linebacker Frostee Rucker also might be tried at end.
Seven new players will enroll at USC in the fall as freshmen. The ends are prep All-Americans Chris Barrett (Tustin High in Tustin, Calif.), Lawrence Jackson (Inglewood High in Inglewood, Calif.) and Alex Morrow (Rancho Cotate High in Rohnert Park, Calif.). The tackles are prep All-American Sedrick Ellis (Chino High in Chino, Calif.), plus Fili Moala (Western High in Anaheim, Calif.), Matt Spanos (Corona High in Corona, Calif.) and Ryan Watson (John Curtis High in River Ridge, La.).
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Chris Barrett, In. Fr., DE '02 prep All-American
Jay Bottom, Jr., DE
Van Brown, Jr., DE
Shaun Cody, Jr., DT 2-year starter
Sedrick Ellis, In. Fr., DT '02 prep All-American
Lawrence Jackson, In. Fr., DE '02 prep All-American
Fili Moala, In. Fr., DT
Alex Morrow, In. Fr., DE '02 prep All-American
OMAR NAZEL, Sr., DE
MIKE PATTERSON, Jr., DT
LaJuan Ramsey, So., DT
A.J. Single, Jr., DT
Matt Spanos, In. Fr., DT
Travis Tofi, Rs. Fr., DT
Spencer Torgan, Jr., DT
KENECHI UDEZE, Jr., DE 2-year starter
Daniel Urquhart, Jr., DE-LB
Ryan Watson, In. Fr., DT
LINEBACKERS
USC is solid at the outside linebacker spots, as junior Matt Grootegoed (81 tac, 16.5 for loss, 8 sack, 1 int, 4 dfl, 1 FR, 3 FF in 2002) returns on the strong side and senior Melvin Simmons (71 tac, 6.5 for loss, 2.5 sack, 2 int, 5 dfl, 1 FR in 2002) is back on the weak side. Grootegoed, a 2-year-starter and 2003 post-season honors candidate who has a knack for always being around the ball, won All-Pac-10 first team honors in 2002 when he led the Trojans in tackles, tackles for a loss and sacks. Simmons was USC's No. 2 tackler last fall.
"Matt Grootegoed is an excellent football player, plain and simple, " said Carroll. "He has great instincts and uses all of his abilities. And Melvin Simmons gives us real steady, veteran-type play."
But a new middle linebacker must be found now that Mike Pollard-a 2-year starter who had 49 stops last year-has departed. Among the possibilities are sophomores Oscar Lua (13 tac, 1 sack, 1 FR, 1 FF in 2002), who tore knee ligaments prior to the Orange Bowl and will miss spring practice, and Lofa Tatupu, who sat out last season after transferring from Maine, where he started in 2001 (he is the son of ex-USC and NFL fullback Mosi Tatupu).
Other linebackers from last year's roster looking to get in the mix are junior Bobby Otani (10 tac in 2002) and sophomores Frostee Rucker (he sat out last year after transferring from Colorado State) and Dallas Sartz (8 tac, 1 for loss, 1 int, 1 dfl in 2002), plus a pair of walk-ons in sophomore Collin Ashton (3 tac in 2002) and redshirt freshman Matt Newhouse. And it's possible that junior defensive end Daniel Urquhart will see time at linebacker.
Prep All-Americans Drean Rucker (Canyon Spring High in Moreno Valley, Calif.)-no relation to Frostee-and Thomas Williams (Vacaville High in Vacaville, Calif.), along with Johnathan Turner (Corona High in Corona, Calif.) will join the linebacking corps in the fall as freshmen.
"We're thin in experience at middle linebacker, so we need somebody to step up there," said Carroll. "And we need to establish depth we can count on throughout the linebacking corps."
LINEBACKERS
Collin Ashton, So.
MATT GROOTEGOED, Jr. USC's '02 tackle leader
Oscar Lua, So.
Matt Newhouse, Rs. Fr.
Bobby Otani, Jr.
Frostee Rucker, So. Also might play DE
Drean Rucker, In. Fr. '02 prep All-American
Dallas Sartz, So.
MELVIN SIMMONS, Sr. USC's No. 2 tackler in '02
Lofa Tatupu, So. '01 Maine starter
Johnathan Turner, In. Fr.
Thomas Williams, In. Fr. '02 prep All-American
DEFENSIVE BACKS
While the biggest holes to fill on USC's defense are in the secondary, the situation isn't as dire as it might appear. Granted, the Trojans lost 3 quality starters in 2-time All-American strong safety Troy Polamalu (the 2002 Thorpe Award finalist was a 3-year starter who amassed 278 tackles and 6 interceptions in his career), free safety DeShaun Hill (he had 54 stops and a team-best 8 deflections last season) and cornerback Darrell Rideaux (he notched 46 tackles, 7 pass break-ups and 2 picks in 2002). Most critically, the void left from the loss of Polamalu's leadership cannot be discounted.
Only senior cornerback Marcell Allmond (34 tac, 1 int, 6 dfl in 2002, plus 5 KOR, 99 yds, 19.8 avg) returns as a starter...and the Trojans went 7-0 once he entered the lineup the second half of 2002. The one-time starting wide receiver, who also is a top-flight hurdler on USC's track squad, might work out some at safety, too.
"Our defense took a big step forward when Marcell Allmond became a starter last year," said Carroll. "He's an aggressive cornerback with good ball skills. But it's important for us to come up with capable new starters on the side opposite him and at the safeties. I think we have some good players to call on, some who can be sensational in time."
There are plenty of experienced options to fill the 3 open spots. In fact, 3 players have starting experience at cornerback: senior Kevin Arbet, who missed all of last season with a broken foot, junior Ronald Nunn (3 tac in 2002) and sophomore William Buchanon (19 tac, 1 for loss, 6 dfl in 2002). Arbet started 4 times in 2000 and was an All-Pac-10 first teamer as a special teams player in 2001. Nunn started USC's first 3 contests in 2002 before tearing knee ligaments (he might be slowed in spring drills) and then Buchanon started the next 3 games (after converting from wide receiver) before giving way to Allmond.
And junior Jason Leach (30 tac, 1 for loss, 4 int, 3 dfl, 1 FR, 1 FF in 2002) started twice at strong safety last fall for an injured Polamalu, including in the Orange Bowl. He led Troy in interceptions in 2002.
Other cornerbacks back from last year's group are sophomores John Walker (2 tac in 2002, plus 1 PR, 4 yds, 4.0 avg) and Justin Wyatt (10 tac, 1 dfl, 2 FR in 2002, plus 1 PR, 16 yds, 16.0 avg), plus a trio of walk-ons: junior Chris Bocage, sophomore Alex Gomez and redshirt freshman Kirk Shepherd. Identical twin freshmen cornerbacks Brandon Ting and Ryan Ting, who were 2002 prep All-Americans, graduated a semester early from James Logan High in Union City, Calif. and enrolled at USC this spring.
Battling for action at safety from last year's squad are sophomore Mike Ross (8 tac in 2002, plus 1 TD on a blocked punt recovery), plus 5 walk-ons in senior Greg Farr, juniors Matt Lemos and Kyle Matthews (1 tac in 2002), soph Andre Woodert and redshirt freshman Mike Brittingham. And keep an eye on freshman safety Darnell Bing, who originally signed with USC last year after a prep All-American career at Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High but did not qualify for admission then. He enrolled at Troy this spring.
In the fall, joining the fray will be junior college transfer Will Poole (Ventura Junior College in Ventura, Calif.), a senior safety who started at Boston College in 2000 before earning J.C. All-American laurels last fall, and 3 incoming freshmen who were prep All-Americans: cornerback-safety Desmond Reed (Temple City High in Temple City, Calif.), safety Terrell Thomas (Rancho Cucamonga High in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) and cornerback Eric Wright (Riordan High in San Francisco, Calif.)
DEFENSIVE BACKS
MARCELL ALLMOND, Sr., CB-S 7-0 as starting CB
Kevin Arbet, Sr., CB 4 career starts
Darnell Bing, Fr., S '01 prep All-American
Chris Bocage, Jr., CB
Mike Brittingham, Rs. Fr., S Also might play FB
William Buchanon, So., CB 3 starts in '02
Greg Farr, Sr., S
Alex Gomez, So., CB
Jason Leach, Jr., S 2 starts, 4 picks in '02
Matt Lemos, Jr., S
Kyle Matthews, Jr., S
Ronald Nunn, Jr., CB 3 starts in '02
Will Poole, In. Sr., CB '02 JC All-American
Desmond Reed, In. Fr., CB-S '02 prep All-American
Mike Ross, So., S
Kirk Shepherd, Rs. Fr., CB
Terrell Thomas, In. Fr., S '02 prep All-American
Brandon Ting, Fr., CB '02 prep All-American
Ryan Ting, Fr., CB '02 prep All-American
John Walker, So., CB
Andre Woodert, So., S
Eric Wright, In. Fr,., CB '02 prep All-American
Justin Wyatt, So., CB
SPECIAL TEAMS
All of USC's specialists from 2002 return: the punter (Tom Malone), placekicker (Ryan Killeen), short snapper (Joe Boskovich), long snapper (Matt Hayward) and holder (Tom Malone), plus the top punt returner (Greig Carlson) and kickoff returner (Hershel Dennis).
But there is still cause for concern in the performance of the special teams, which were an adventure at times in 2002. While Malone and Killeen were effective, USC was last in the Pac-10 in punt returns (7.2) and kickoff returns (17.5), and ninth in kickoff return coverage (24.1). Plus, the Trojans had 8 kicks blocked (3 punts, 3 PATs and 2 field goals), with one returned for a TD and another for a defensive PAT. And Troy gave up a 100-yard scoring kickoff return.
"We need our special teams to be a factor in every phase," said Carroll. "We're not there yet, especially in the return game. We'll open up the competition to find the best performers we can in those areas. We'll work hard to excel in this very important part of the program.
"But in Tom Malone, I believe we have one of the country's top young punters. He is poised, has a strong leg and gets good hang time. And Ryan Killeen stepped in early last year and answered nearly every challenge."
PUNTERS
Sophomore Tom Malone (42.1 avg in 2002) has proven to be one of the nation's top young punters. He earned Freshman All-American second team notice last fall. Nearly half of his 62 punts pinned opponents within the 20-yard line and 12 traveled at least 50 yards (including a 72-yarder). He is backed by a pair of walk-ons, senior Tommy Huff and sophomore Zach Sherwood.
PLACEKICKERS-Junior Ryan Killeen (16-of-23 FG, 47-of-49 PAT in 2002, plus 2 tac), who was only supposed to handle the kickoff duty last year, took over the placekicking job during the third game of 2002 and was impressive. His 16 field goals were 3 shy of the USC season record, he hit his last 30 PATs (and missed just 2 out of 49 all year), he led Troy in scoring (95 points) and 27 of his 89 kickoffs were touchbacks. In an emergency, soph punter Tom Malone could kick.
SNAPPERS-Both of USC's snappers-seniors Joe Boskovich (placekicks) and Matt Hayward (punts)-are back. It's the fourth season in that role for Boskovich, a one-time walk-on who earned a scholarship this spring, and the third year for Hayward. Both have been near flawless in their careers.
HOLDERS-Sophomore punter Tom Malone returns as the holder on all placekicks, with soph quarterback Matt Leinart and senior cornerback-safety Marcell Allmond possible backups.
RETURNERS-USC's top punt returner-sophomore wide receiver Greig Carlson (27 PR, 177 yds, 6.6 avg in 2002)-and kickoff returner-soph tailback Hershel Dennis (9 KOR, 151 yds, 16.8 avg in 2002)-from last season are back. Other potential returners include senior cornerbacks Kevin Arbet, who led USC in punt returns in 2001 (25 PR, 225 yds, 9.0 avg, plus 3 KOR, 53 yds, 17.7 avg), and Marcell Allmond (5 KOR, 99 yds, 19.8 avg in 2002), junior wide receiver Jason Mitchell (3 KOR, 35 yds, 11.7 avg in 2002), sophomore cornerback Justin Wyatt (1 PR, 16 yds, 16.0 avg in 2002), or any of several freshman, including safety Darnell Bing, wide receivers Whitney Lewis and Steve Smith, tailback Reggie Bush, and cornerbacks Brandon Ting, Ryan Ting, Desmond Reed and Eric Wright.
KICKERS/PUNTERS/SNAPPERS
Joe Boskovich, Sr., SNP Won scholarship in '03
Matt Hayward, Sr., SNP
Tommy Huff, Sr., P
RYAN KILLEEN, Jr., PK 16 FGs in '02
TOM MALONE, So., P 42.1 punt avg. in '02
Zach Sherwood, So., P
