USC Spring Football begins Tuesday as the Trojans suit up for the first of 15 practices, culminating in the annual Spring Game at the Coliseum on April 16. Under the direction of head coach Clay Helton, the 2016 Trojans have several questions to answer before the fall, headlined by the starting quarterback competition.
Redshirt junior Max Browne is the most experienced under center, but he will be pushed by an athletic young trio in redshirt freshman Sam Darnold, redshirt sophomore Jalen Greene and true freshman Matt Fink. Cody Kessler's successor will have plenty of experienced weapons at wide receiver and tailback, including All-Pac-12 WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and USC freshman rushing record holder Ronald Jones II. The strength of the Trojans offense should be up front with nine returning offensive linemen that have started a game led by All-Pac-12 OT Zach Banner.
USC will also be reintroducing Clancy Pendergast's 5-2 defense, focusing on getting pressure from the young defensive front seven, which officially returns only two starters. The experienced secondary should help give the pass rushers time though as all four starting defensive backs return, including lockdown corners Adoree' Jackson and Iman "Biggie" Marshall.
"I am looking forward to entering the 2016 season as a new coach not only with a roster of talented players with whom I already have a relationship, but with a coaching staff that I believe is exceptional," said Helton. "We want to run the ball on offense, stop the run defensively, play great special teams and not turn over the ball. However, there is a lot of development that must be done before the 2016 season and it starts with our time in spring practice and fall camp. I have no doubt that this staff will prepare our players well for the upcoming season."
Click here for the complete spring preview.
Click here for the spring practice schedule.
Spring Football will also mark the introduction of seven new freshmen with the rest of their classmates set to arrive in the fall. The Trojan Family will get its first look at WR Michael Pittman Jr., WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, DL Oluwole Betiku, QB Matt Fink, DL Liam Jimmons, DB C.J. Pollard and OL Nathan Smith.
As always, every practice will be covered right here on the USCTrojans.com RipsIt Blog, including video of Clay Helton's post-practice press conference.
