Players Mentioned
2019 USC Spring Football Outlook
March 04, 2019 | Football, Features
Soon after the Trojans' trying 2018 season ended, preparation for the 2019 campaign began with winter workouts in early January and it will continue with the upcoming spring practice, during summer workouts and into fall camp.
"Each year brings a new team, with new hope and new challenges," said USC head coach Clay Helton, who guided the Trojans to a Rose Bowl victory in 2016 and a Pac-12 Championship Game win in 2017 before seeing his team struggle in 2018, his third full season at Troy. "We have identified and addressed the lessons we learned from last season. Now it's time to move on to prepare this team for the 2019 season and the very demanding schedule we will face.
"We need to make the most of every second of every practice, including spring ball. We will be installing a new offensive system, teaching our current defensive system to some new players and indoctrinating new personnel into our special teams units."
USC's players and coaches are keenly focused on rebounding from a 2018 season in which the Trojans went 5-7 overall, with the last 4 losses all by 7 points or less. Troy was 4-5 in Pac-12 play.
"I'm very excited for the 2019 season," said Helton, who has seen more than a third (10) of his overall coaching victories come over AP Top 25 teams, including 3 Top 5 wins. "We have something to prove. We know we have to live with last season until Game 1 kicks off. We have been working hard to move forward and to get rid of the bad taste of last season. I have been watching our team improve every day this off-season and I can't wait for the Trojan Family to see the results of the hard work they are putting in."
Besides preparing his team in all 3 phases of the game, Helton has another goal for spring practice.
"We not only will continue to develop our players—a process that started with our January workouts—but we will focus on our 'attention to detail' when it comes to fundamentals and technique, penalties and turnovers," said Helton, the first USC head coach to have 10-win seasons in each of his first 2 full seasons. "That must improve in order for us to be back to a championship level. In 2016 and 2017, we did those little things well and we won 21 games, a Rose Bowl and a Pac-12 title. Last season, those things cost us close games down the stretch.
"My total focus this spring, therefore, will be on the discipline of the game. I'll let our coordinators install scheme and system. And that's how it will be in the fall and during games, when the coordinators will call the plays and I'll manage game situations."
USC returns 77 squadmen from the 2018 team, including 53 who saw action. Six starters are back on offense and 5 on defense, plus the kicker. Twenty other players have started at least once in their careers. The returnees will be joined by 27 newcomers who comprise a Top 20 recruiting class, including 11 already enrolled at USC so they can participate in spring practice.
"This is a mature group of newcomers that has a sense of urgency to be great," said Helton, who during his tenure led USC to winning streaks of 19 home games, 13 overall games and 13 Power 5 games. "I am very optimistic about our program's future with all of them on our roster."
USC's offense returns its starting quarterback, its top 4 wideouts, a pair of runners with a combined career 1,500-plus rush yards and 13 TDs and 2 starting linemen. JT Daniels, who last fall was only the second Trojan true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback, threw for 2,672 yards in 2018 just a season after graduating high school a year early. Matt Fink and Jack Sears also are tested signalcallers, with Sears even starting once last season. Michael Pittman Jr. (41 catches, 6 TDs in 2018), Tyler Vaughns (58, 6), Amon-Ra St. Brown (60, 3) and Velus Jones Jr. (24, 1) are the nucleus of one of the nation's most dangerous pass catching corps after combining for nearly 2,500 receiving yards last season (Vaughns has 115 career grabs and Pittman has 70, while last year St. Brown was just the fourth true freshman to top USC in receptions). Tailbacks Vavae Malepeai (501 rushing yards, 8 TDs in 2018) and Stephen Carr (384 yards last year) saw plenty of action last fall and both also are excellent receivers. Andrew Vorhees has started 2 seasons at right guard, while Austin Jackson exhibited next-level potential while 2018's left tackle. Other offensive players returning with career starts are tight ends Josh Falo, Erik Krommenhoek and Daniel Imatorbhebhe, center Brett Neilon and tackles Jalen McKenzie and Clayton Bradley.
Troy's defense returns linemen Christian Rector (20 tackles for loss with 12 sacks in his career), Marlon Tuipulotu and Jay Tufele (a 2018 Freshman All-American first teamer), inside linebackers John Houston Jr. (167 stops as a 2-year starter) and Jordan Iosefa (he started on the outside in 2018) and a pair of high-potential young safeties who shared starts last fall before getting hurt (Talanoa Hufanga and Isaiah Pola-Mao). Also back with career starts on defense are inside linebacker Palaie Gaoteote IV, linemen Brandon Pili, Jacob Lichtenstein and Connor Murphy, cornerbacks Greg Johnson and Chase Williams and safety C.J. Pollard.
USC is well-stocked at placekicker, with Michael Brown (the 2018 starter after missing 2017 with an injury), Chase McGrath (he missed most of last season after starting in 2017) and kickoff specialist Alex Stadthaus. McGrath has 18 career field goals, Brown has 7. Two-year starting long snapper Damon Johnson returns. Receivers Vaughns (13th nationally in punt returns in 2018) and Jones (ninth on USC's career kickoff return list) are back as potent return specialists.
"Everyone will compete for playing time in every practice," said Helton, who is 19-3 in the Coliseum and 24-10 versus Pac-12 foes, including 15-4 against the Pac-12 South. "The practice field will decide who plays, and that begins in spring practice and will continue in the fall. Nobody owns a job, no one can be comfortable or stagnant. We won't even have a depth chart until the day before each game because players will be competing for playing time on a weekly basis."
Helton revamped his coaching staff in the offseason, bringing in 5 new assistants and reassigning roles for several of the holdovers.
Graham Harrell, a record-setting quarterback under Mike Leach at Texas Tech and then produced national Top 25 offenses the past 2 seasons while calling plays at North Texas, is USC's new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His system has elements of Leach's "Air Raid" attack, but also gets solid production on the ground. Mike Jinks, who was head coach at Bowling Green the past 3 years after handling the running backs at Texas Tech, will coach the Trojans runners. Greg Burns, the secondary coach on USC's 2003 and 2004 national championship teams before heading to the NFL and 3 other Pac-12 schools, returns in that role. Chad Kauha'aha'a will guide USC's defensive line after doing so at schools such as Utah, Wisconsin, Oregon State and, most recently, Boise State. Joe DeForest, a USC defensive analyst last year who has 29 years of collegiate coaching experience, will coach the outside linebackers. Also, two former Trojans—Chris Hawkins and Viane Talamaivao—have returned to their alma mater as graduate assistants.
Clancy Pendergast returns as USC's defensive coordinator (he also adds the title of assistant head coach) and John Baxter as the special teams coordinator (he also will tutor the tight ends). Tim Drevno switches to the offensive line this year (he was the running backs coach last year), a role he has held at Stanford, Michigan, the San Francisco 49ers and, in 2014, USC. He also will continue as the run game and pass protection coordinator. Ex-USC and NFL star wideout Keary Colbert will coach Troy's wide receivers this year after handling the tight ends and inside receivers last fall. Johnny Nansen will focus on the inside linebackers this year (he was the linebackers coach in 2018) and also takes on the defensive run game coordinator duty in 2019. Former Trojans Michael Hutchings and Dane Stevens are back as grad asisstants.
Among the players gone from the 2018 roster on offense are tailback Aca'Cedric Ware (1,505 career rushing yards, including a team-best 825 in 2018), tight end Tyler Petite (53 career receptions as a 2-year starter) and a trio of veteran offensive linemen in right tackle Chuma Edoga, left guard Chris Brown and center Toa Lobendahn (he also played tackle and guard in his career). Missing on defense are 4-year starting inside linebacker Cameron Smith (354 career tackles and the first Trojan in 40 years to top the team in tackles for 3 consecutive years), safety Marvell Tell III (221 tackles and 5 interceptions in his career), outside linebacker Porter Gustin (33 tackles for loss with 21 sacks in his career, including team-highs of 10 and 7 in 2018), cornerbacks Iman Marshall (a 4-year starter with 218 tackles and 6 picks in his career), Ajene Harris (USC's nickel back in 2018 with 6 career interceptions, including a school record-tying 3 for TDs), Isaiah Langley and Jonathan Lockett and lineman Malik Dorton. Gone from last year's special teams are punters Reid Budrovich (40.5-yard career average) and Chris Tilbey and holder Wyatt Schmidt.
Fans attending USC's 6 home games in 2019 will enjoy the Coliseum's completed $315-million renovation, which includes new seats with increased legroom, along with aisle handrails, additional aisles and a new stadium-wide Wi-Fi system. There also will be a south-side structure housing suites, loge boxes, club seats, a new concourse and a new press box.
USC's challenging 12-game 2019 schedule features 9 teams (including its first 6 opponents) that played in bowls last year, with 5 winning their bowl. Half of the Trojans' foes this season won at least 9 games in 2018. USC will open its slate at home on Labor Day weekend by hosting Fresno State of the Mountain West on Aug. 31. It will be just the 11th time that Troy plays a game in August (it last occurred in 2014, also against the Bulldogs) and the Trojans have won their last 7 August contests. The Trojans stay at home to open league competition against Stanford on Sept. 7, the ninth consecutive year that USC will play the Pac-12's first conference game of the year (California also plays at Washington that day). USC has its first road game of 2019 on Sept. 14 when it makes its second-ever visit to independent BYU (the first time was in 2004). Troy then returns to the Coliseum for a Friday night contest against Utah on Sept. 20, just the second Friday home game since 1999 for the Trojans. USC next travels to defending Pac-12 champion Washington on Sept. 28, Troy's first time playing the Huskies since 2016 due to the league scheduling rotation. After a bye the following weekend, USC remains on the road for its annual intersectional clash with Notre Dame, visiting South Bend on Oct. 12. USC hosts Arizona on Oct. 19 for Homecoming, then goes to Colorado for another Friday night game on Oct. 25, marking the first time since 1977 that the Trojans have had a pair of regular season Friday games. The Trojans welcome Oregon to the Coliseum on Nov. 2 (Trojan Family Weekend), the teams' first encounter since 2016. USC then plays back-to-back road games, at Arizona State on Nov. 9 and at California on Nov. 16. Troy concludes its 2019 regular season by hosting crosstown rival UCLA on Nov. 23. USC's Pac-12 "misses" in 2019 are Washington State and Oregon State.
Losing seasons don't happen often at USC (only 13 times in the modern era), but when they do the Trojans have a history of answering with a winning season the following year. For instance, the last 4 times Troy was coming off a losing season, it played in a bowl the following year, including winning a pair of Rose Bowls and a national championship.
The Trojans are planning for a similar result in 2019.
OFFENSE
Six starters return on offense from 2018: quarterback JT Daniels, wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Tyler Vaughns, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Velus Jones Jr. (St. Brown and Jones split starts), tackle Austin Jackson and guard Andrew Vorhees. Other offensive players back with starting experience are tailbacks Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr, quarterback Jack Sears, tight ends Josh Falo, Erik Krommenhoek and Daniel Imatorbhebhe, center Brett Neilon and tackles Jalen McKenzie and Clayton Bradley.USC has nearly 50% of its 2018 rushing yards returning in 2019, including 11 of the 12 players who carried the ball (all except its rushing leader). All 4 players who threw a pass in 2018 return, as do 10 of the 13 players who had receptions, including Troy's top 6 pass catchers (91% of its catches return). USC's offense welcomes back its starting quarterback, its top 4 wideouts, a rushing duo with a combined career 1,500-plus ground yards and a pair of starting linemen. However, last season's total offense (382.1) and scoring (26.1) averages were USC's lowest since 2001.
Helton brought in offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Graham Harrell to implement his version of the "Air Raid" offense (it features more of the run game than the original Mike Leach "Air Raid"). New running backs coach Mike Jinks will direct the ball carriers (he has experience coaching the run portion of Harrell's system), Tim Drevno moves over from running backs coach to once again handle the offensive line, Keary Colbert now will coach the wide receivers (he worked with the tight ends and slot receivers last year) and John Baxter reassumes mentoring the tight ends along with his special teams chores.
"Obviously, this is an exciting time for us offensively as we move to Graham Harrell's new system," said Helton. "The system fits our current personnel well and allows us to use all our weapons. There will be a learning process, so the spring is crucial to get a jump on it."
QUARTERBACKS
Harrell can choose from an array of experienced quarterbacks to run his offense.Sophomore JT Daniels (216-of-363, 59.5%, 2,672 yds, 14 TD, 10 int in 2018) started 11 games in 2018, only a season after graduating high school a year early. He threw for 2,672 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall and was just the second Trojan true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback. His 37 completions against Notre Dame was a USC game record. He had a trio of 300-yard passing outings in 2018. Junior Matt Fink (7-of-9, 77.8%, 46 yds, 1 TD in 2018, plus 7 tcb, 24 yds, 3.4 avg) has played in 7 games in his career, completing 72% of his 18 passes and also running for 106 yards. He was 7-of-9 passing last season with a TD as Daniels' backup and stepped in when Daniels was knocked out of the Utah contest, but broken ribs in that game ended Fink's season.
Sophomore Jack Sears (20-of-28, 71.4%, 235 yds, 2 TD in 2018, plus 10 tcb, 10 yds, 1.0 avg), as mobile as Fink, was USC's No. 3 quarterback last season. He started against Arizona State in 2018 with Daniels and Fink sidelined by injuries and nearly led the Trojans to victory (a 3-point loss) while hitting 71% of his aerials with 2 TDs. It was his only career action.
There is a trio of walk-on signalcallers on the roster—juniors Holden Thomas (he'll miss spring drills while recovering from a 2018 elbow injury) and Brandon Perdue and redshirt freshman Trevor Scully—but none have played.
Freshman Kedon Slovis (Desert Mountain High in Scottsdale, Ariz.), who had NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner as his prep position coach, graduated high school early and enrolled at USC this spring so he can participate in spring practice.
"It's good to have all our quarterbacks here for spring practice," said Helton. "They'll be learning a new offensive system, and I look forward to watching them compete and progress."
RUNNING BACKS
USC's top rusher from 2018, tailback Aca'Cedric Ware, is gone, but the Trojans have a nice mix of power and speed runners able to replace him, and all are capable pass catchers (a necessary skill in Harrell's system). Ware ran for 1,505 yards in his career with 10 TDs, with 7 100-yard performances. As the 2018 starter, he had a team-high 825 rushing yards with 6 scores while averaging 6.6 yards per carry and posting a quartet of 100-yard efforts (including 205 yards at Oregon State).Junior tailbacks Vavae Malepeai (93 tcb, 501 yds, 5.4 avg, 8 TD in 2018, plus 15 rec, 88 yds, 5.9 avg and 1 tac) and Stephen Carr (81 tcb, 384 yds, 4.7 avg, 2 TD in 2018, plus 8 rec, 26 yds, 3.2 avg and 6 KOR, 151 yds, 25.2 avg), who together have run for more than 1,500 yards and caught 40-plus passes in their careers while starting 3 times, have seen significant action the past 2 years. Malepeai is a downhill runner, while Carr is fleet; both excel at catching the ball out of the backfield and both contribute on special teams. Malepeai had a 100-yard game at Oregon State last year, while Carr did so against Stanford in 2017. An ankle sprain sidelined Carr for USC's last 3 contests of 2018.
Powerful redshirt freshman tailback Markese Stepp (7 tcb, 33 yds, 4.7 avg in 2018, plus 1 rec, 7 yds, 7.0 avg and 1 tac) showed well in limited action in 4 games last fall and was able to redshirt. Then there are 3 walk-on tailbacks available: juniors Quincy Jountti, who redshirted last year after transferring from Sacramento State (he saw action there as a running back and defensive back), and Chris Edmondson (he has yet to play) and sophomore Ben Easington (he played on special teams in a game in 2018 before hurting his shoulder, an injury that could slow him in 2019 spring drills). Speedster Kenan Christon (Madison High in San Diego, Calif.) joins the tailback group in the fall as a freshman. He rushed for 3,000-plus yards in his prep career and also was sixth in the 2018 California state 100- and 200-meter dashes (with bests of 10.58 and 21.20). "This is an experienced group, as both runners and receivers," said Helton. "Their continued progression will be important for our offense."
WIDE RECEIVERS
USC might sport the best wide receiving outfit in the country in 2019 and the personnel should thrive in Harrell's offensive attack. Troy's top 4 pass catchers from 2018 return, bringing with them 183 catches, 2,448 yards and 16 touchdowns from last season.Senior Michael Pittman Jr. (41 rec, 758 yds, 18.5 avg, 6 TD in 2018, plus 1 rcb, 9 yds, 9.0 avg and 1 PR, 4 yds, 4.0 avg and 1 tac and 1 BLK P) is the unit's elder statesman, with 70 career clutches for 1,244 yards and 8 scores with 17 starts. He had 41 receptions for a team-high 758 yards and 6 TDs in 2018 (with 3 100-yard games) and his 18.5 yards per catch average was in the national Top 20.
Smooth, sure-handed junior Tyler Vaughns (58 rec, 674 yds, 11.6 avg, 6 TD in 2018, plus 19 PR, 199 yds, 10.5 avg, 1 TD and 1-of-1 passing, 36 yds, 1 TD) has 115 career catches for 1,483 yards and 11 scores with 21 starts to rank 23rd on USC's all-time receptions chart. Last season, he caught 58 passes for 674 yards and 6 touchdowns. He closed 2018 with 12 catches for 120 yards and a TD versus Notre Dame. Also a threat returning punts, his 10.5 average last fall was 13th nationally (he had an 82-yard TD). He was the first Trojan since at least 1971 with a TD catch, TD pass and punt return TD in a game when he did so last year against Arizona State.
Precocious sophomore Amon-Ra St. Brown (60 rec, 750 yds, 12.5 avg, 3 TD in 2018, plus 2 tcb, 9 yds, 4.5 avg and 1 PR, 9 yds, 9.0 avg and 1 tac), Daniels' high school receiver, had an eye-opening debut in 2018. He was just the fourth USC true freshman to lead the Trojans in season receptions (60, good for 750 yards and 3 TDs), joining legends Mike Williams, Dwayne Jarrett and Robert Woods. At Texas, he had 9 grabs for 167 yards, the most receiving yards by a Trojan true frosh since 2011.
Junior Velus Jones Jr. (24 rec, 266 yds, 11.1 avg, 1 TD in 2018, plus 6 tcb, 13 yds, 2.2 avg, 1 TD and 21 KOR, 483 yds, 23.0 avg and 1 tac) made an impact catching passes and returning kicks in 2018. He had 24 receptions for 266 yards and ran back 21 kickoffs for 483 yards last season. He is ninth on USC's career kickoff return list with 52 runbacks for 1,243 yards (a 23.9 average).
Don't overlook promising sophomore Devon Williams (4 rec, 87 yds, 21.8 avg, 1 TD in 2018, plus 1 tac and 1 PR TD). He saw action in all 12 games last season, catching 4 passes (with a TD) and even returning a blocked punt for another score.
Three walk-on wideouts have yet to see action: senior Matthew Hocum (a hand injury sidelined him for half of 2018), soph Jack Webster and redshirt freshman Zach Wilson.
There's a newcomer among the wide receivers with a familiar name to Trojan fans: freshman John Jackson III, who enrolled at USC this spring after sitting out the 2018 season. His father is former USC 2-time Academic All-American wide receiver and outfielder John Jackson Jr., who set the school's career records in pass receptions and stolen bases (earning All-Pac-10 honors in both sports) before playing both sports professionally and then enjoying a successful broadcasting career (including on USC football radio). His grandfather, John Sr., was USC's running backs coach during the Heisman seasons of Charles White and Marcus Allen. The youngest JJ, who prepped at Serra High in Gardena (Calif.), might also play baseball for the Trojans.
Three talented receivers will come aboard in the fall as freshmen: Kyle Ford (Orange Lutheran High in Orange, Calif.), prep All-American Drake London (Moorpark High in Moorpark, Calif.) and Munir McClain (JSerra Catholic High in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.). Ford is coming off a 2018 knee injury, but in his career had 172 catches for nearly 3,000 yards and 20-plus TDs. The 6-5 London, who had 113 career receptions for more than 2,000 yards with 23 TDs, doubles as a highly-regarded basketball player and might join the Trojan hoopsters. McClain, whose brother, Abdul-Malik, is a redshirt freshman outside linebacker for the Trojans, played only half of his junior and senior seasons due to a knee injury, but still caught 14 TDs.
"We have some very talented wide receivers," said Helton. "As a unit, they have the potential to be one of the top receiving corps in the country."
TIGHT ENDS
USC will miss the veteran play of 2-year starting tight end Tyler Petite, who had 53 career receptions. But Troy is not lacking in quality players at this position. There is high-caliber experience returning along with good-looking newcomers aiming to enter the rotation. Under Harrell's system, expect the tight ends to be more involved in the passing attack (last season, the group had only 17 receptions).Juniors Josh Falo (10 rec, 158 yds, 15.8 avg in 2018) and Erik Krommenhoek (2 rec, 6 yds, 3.0 avg in 2018, plus 1 tcb, 8 yds, 8.0 avg) have both started at times. They are equally-adept at blocking and receiving, although Falo usually is used more downfield and Krommenhoek blocking in the run game.
Senior Daniel Imatorbhebhe, who has 25 catches with 4 TDs in his Trojan career while posting 9 starts, was impressive as a 2016 redshirt freshman (17 grabs for 250 yards and 4 scores), but injuries have plagued his career. He sat out 2018 with a leg injury and hopes to return healthy in 2019.
Junior walk-on Chris Caulk is also available (he has yet to play).
Jude Wolfe (St. John Bosco High in Bellflower, Calif.) graduated a semester early from high school and enrolled at USC this spring as a freshman, while Ethan Rae (Orange Lutheran High in Orange, Calif.) starts in the fall as a frosh. Both were 2018 prep All-Americans.
"With our new system, we expect our tight ends to be even more involved in the passing game," said Helton. "There is a good mix of returnees and newcomers."
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
USC must replace a trio of offensive line vets in right tackle Chuma Edoga (2-year starter), left guard Chris Brown (2-year starter) and center Toa Lobendahn (he started all 45 games in which he played), who also appeared at tackle and guard in his career.
Junior Austin Jackson was impressive starting for his first season at left tackle in 2018 and has a bright future. Fellow junior Andrew Vorhees has been the starting right guard the past 2 seasons and has played well (Vorhees also can move to tackle).
Looking to see action at tackle are senior Clayton Bradley (he has 3 career starts, but could be slowed this spring with a back injury), juniors Liam Jimmons (6 tac, 2.5 for loss in 2018), a converted defensive lineman who moves to offense this spring, and Bernard Schirmer, and sophomore Jalen McKenzie (2 starts in 2018). Pushing for playing time at guard are senior Jacob Daniel, junior Frank Martin II, soph Alijah Vera-Tucker (he saw action in 12 games last fall) and redshirt freshmen Liam Douglass and walk-on AJ Mageo, who both also might work at tackle.
Battling to start at center will be sophomore Brett Neilon (he started once last season), redshirt freshman Justin Dedich and walk-on redshirt frosh Mark Zuvich.
Newcomers hoping to make a dent as freshmen are center-guard Gino Quinones (Saint Louis High in Honolulu, Hi.), who graduated a semester early from high school and enrolled at USC this spring, plus fall enrollees Tilini Livai (Narbonne High in Harbor City, Calif.) at guard and guard-tackle Jason Rodriguez (Oak Hills High in Oak Hills, Calif.). Livai starred on Narbonne's 2018 L.A. City title team and before that played on Hawaii's prep champs.
"It's nice to have a true three-deep on the offensive line," said Helton. "There will be a number of players competing for jobs and I look forward to watching them develop and battle."
DEFENSE
Five defensive starters return from 2018: defensive linemen Christian Rector and Marlon Tuipulotu, inside linebackers John Houston Jr. and Jordan Iosefa (Iosefa played on the outside last year) and safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Isaiah Pola-Mao (Hufanga and Pola-Mao split starts in 2018). Other defensive players back with career starts are inside linebacker Palaie Gaoteote IV, linemen Brandon Pili, Jacob Lichtenstein and Connor Murphy, cornerbacks Greg Johnson and Chase Williams and safety C.J. Pollard.Last season, USC held 6 of its 12 opponents to 21 points or less and its 63 pass deflections ranked 11th nationally. But Troy allowed its most points per outing (27.0) since 2000 and its most rushing yards (164.4) since 2012. The Trojans got only 10 turnovers all year, including just 4 interceptions. USC must replace its 2018 leaders in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and deflections.
Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast's attacking system (a 5-2 formation that can morph into a 3-4 or 4-3), which often employs 5 defensive backs, has historically been staunch. He'll have 3 new assistant coaches helping him in 2018: secondary coach Greg Burns, who held that role on USC's 2003 and 2004 national title teams, defensive line coach Chad Kauha'aha'a (he previously worked at Utah, Wisconsin, Oregon State and Boise State) and outside linebackers coach Joe DeForest, a USC defensive analyst last year who has 29 years of collegiate coaching experience. Johnny Nansen will focus on the inside linebackers this year (he was the linebackers coach in 2018) and also be the defensive run game coordinator in 2019.
"I'm excited to continue the system we've had in place here under Clancy Pendergast," said Helton. "Our veterans have a great grasp of the system, which should give us a head start heading into the season as we bring along our newer players."
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
USC's only loss on its defensive front is Malik Dorton, a 2018 starter who had 62 career stops. The Trojans have added depth to this group in 2019. Five Trojans have posted starts on the defensive line.Christian Rector (48 tac, 9 for loss, 4.5 sack, 2 dfl, 1 FR, 1 FF in 2018), the only senior up front, has started most of the past 2 seasons on the line or at outside linebacker. He has been a force no matter where he plays. He has 98 career tackles, with 20 of them for losses (12 are sacks). He spent the first half of last season as a down lineman and then took over for an injured Porter Gustin at outside linebacker, and he ended up with 48 tackles (9 for losses, with 4.5 sacks).
The other returning starter up front is sophomore Marlon Tuipulotu (33 tac, 5.5 for loss, 4.5 sack in 2018), who does a good job clogging the middle. He was second on the Trojans in sacks (4.5) last fall.
A rising star is soph Jay Tufele (23 tac, 4.5 for loss, 3 sack, 1 FR, 1 BLK FG in 2018), who was a 2018 Freshman All-American first teamer. A 5-game starter in 2018, he had 3 sacks among his 23 tackles and even returned a fumble 48 yards for a touchdown.
Juniors Brandon Pili (12 tac, 2.5 for loss, 1 sack in 2018), an athletic big man with 26 career tackles, and Connor Murphy (2 tac, 0.5 for loss in 2018), who redshirted 2018 after getting into 4 games, both own career starts. Also back from last year's squad are junior Caleb Tremblay (2 tac in 2018), who was able to redshirt last year after spraining his knee, sophomore Jacob Lichtenstein (15 tac, 2 for loss, 1 dfl in 2018) and redshirt freshman Trevor Trout (a back injury might limit him in 2019 spring practice).
New this spring are sophomore Nick Figueroa (Riverside City College in Riverside, Calif.), who transferred to USC after earning JC All-American honors, and freshman Drake Jackson (Centennial High in Corona, Calif.), a prep All-American who graduated a semester early from high school. Jackson also might be used at outside linebacker. Entering the d-line fray in the fall as a freshman will be De'Jon Benton (Pittsburg High in Pittsburg, Calif.). "We've added to this group to give us depth up front," said Helton. "There will be good competition for jobs between our veterans and new players."
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
New faces will man both outside linebacker spots in 2018. Sackmeister Porter Gustin, who had 21 sacks among his 33 career tackles for loss, has graduated. He led Troy in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (7) last year despite missing the last half of the season with an injury. When Gustin went down, Christian Rector moved over from the defensive line to replace him, but Rector will be back on the line in 2019. Jordan Iosefa was 2018's other starter on the outside, but he has moved to inside linebacker this season.Competing for playing time on the outside are sophomores Hunter Echols (6 tac in 2018) and Juliano Falaniko (1 tac in 2018) and redshirt freshmen Abdul-Malik McClain and Eli'jah Winston (1 tac in 2018). None has seen significant minutes in their young careers (McClain and Winston played briefly in 2018 and redshirted).
Also available are a pair of walk-ons in soph Bryce Matthews and redshirt freshman Peter Esparza, but neither has played yet.
Two new players will battle to get into the outside linebacker rotation. Freshman Stanley Ta'ufo'ou (Grace Brethern High in Simi Valley, Calif.), who helped Grace Brethern to a pair of CIF Division 4 championships and the 2018 California state 2AA crown, graduated a semester early from high school and enrolled at USC this spring, while Tuasivi Nomura (Centennial High in Corona, Calif.) joins in the fall as a frosh. Nomura had 150-plus tackles as a prepster.
"I'm really excited about this group because of their speed off the edge and their athleticism in space," said Helton. "This has always been an important position on our defense and we've had some good players here in the recent past, so it will be important to identify who steps in."
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Four-year starting inside linebacker Cameron Smith, the long-time rock of USC's defense, has graduated. He ended his career eighth on the school's all-time tackle list with 354 and was the first Trojan in almost 40 years to top the program in tackles for 3 consecutive years. Last season, the Senior CLASS Award finalist posted 81 stops.But USC is well-laden with talented inside linebackers. Senior John Houston Jr. (67 tac, 2.5 for loss, 1 sack, 5 dfl, 1 FF in 2018) has started on the inside the last 2 years and has 167 career tackles. He was second behind Smith in tackles in 2018 with 67.
Junior Jordan Iosefa (38 tac, 4 for loss, 2 sack, 4 dfl, 1 FR in 2018) moves over from outside linebacker in 2019. As a starter on the outside in 2018, he had 38 tackles, but 2 of his 7 starts in 2017 were on the inside (he had 31 stops that year).
Three experienced sophomores will vie for playing time at inside linebacker: Palaie Gaoteote IV (38 tac, 4.5 for loss, 2 sack in 2018), who had 5 starts last fall, Kana'i Mauga (14 tac, 1 for loss, 2 dfl in 2018), who moves over this spring from outside linebacker, and Raymond Scott (1 tac in 2018). Then there's redshirt freshman Solomon Tuliaupupu, who missed last season with a foot injury.
Three walk-ons also are available: senior Matt Bayle, junior Grant Jones and redshirt freshman Spencer Gilbert. Only Bayle has seen action (briefly in 1 game).
Freshman Ralen Goforth (St. John Bosco High in Bellflower, Calif.), who made more than 200 tackles in his high school career, enrolled at USC this spring after graduating a semester early from high school, while Maninoa Tufono (Punahou School in Honolulu, Hi.) joins the unit in the fall as a frosh. Goforth's brother played at UCLA and Tufono's father played at Washington.
"This is a deep group with tremendous potential," said Helton. "It will be critical to find someone to fill in for Cameron Smith, a four-year starter."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
USC must reload its secondary, as 5 players with starting experience have graduated. Gone are 3-year starting free safety Marvell Tell III, who had 221 tackles and 5 picks in his career (including 57 stops in 2018), cornerback Iman Marshall, USC's first 4-year starting cornerback in 20 years (he had 218 tackles and 6 interceptions in his career, including 48 stops and a team-best 9 deflections in 2018), 2-year starting nickel back Ajene Harris, who had 146 tackles and 6 interceptions in his career, with a USC record-tying 3 for touchdowns (he had 57 tackles last fall while playing nickel and both safety spots), corner Isaiah Langley, a 2018 starter when he had 46 tackles and 7 deflections (in his career, he made 104 stops and 14 deflections) and corner Jonathan Lockett (he had 10 career starts with 62 tackles).There are quality athletes looking to step in and some possess starting experience.
High-potential sophomores Isaiah Pola-Mao (8 tac, 1 FF in 2018) and Talanoa Hufanga (51 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 4 dfl in 2018) shared starts at strong safety last fall. Pola-Mao started USC's first 2 games of 2018 before a dislocated shoulder ended his season, then Hufanga replaced him for 5 games before suffering a season-ending broken collarbone (he had 51 tackles in 2018). Junior C.J. Pollard (12 tac, 1.5 for loss, 0.5 sack, 1 dfl in 2018) also had a start at strong safety in 2018.
Vying for cornerback duty are fleet senior Dominic Davis, sophomores Greg Johnson (15 tac, 1 for loss, 3 dfl, 1 FR in 2018) and Olaijah Griffin (8 tac, 1 for loss, 1 dfl in 2018) and redshirt freshmen Chase Williams (4 tac, 1 for loss in 2018) and Isaac Taylor-Stuart. Davis, a one-time tailback who also has sprinted for the Trojan track team, has only seen action on special teams and offense so far at USC. Johnson, who started the first 4 games of 2018, and Griffin both could be slowed in spring practice while recuperating from shoulder surgery. Williams and Taylor-Stuart each saw some action in 2018 (Williams even started at free safety versus Notre Dame) but were able to redshirt
There also are a pair of walk-on safeties in junior Richard Hagestad and redshirt freshman Jordan McMillan (1 tac, 1 int in 2018). McMillan was called upon to play the second half of the season-ending Notre Dame game when the safety corps was thinned by injuries (he grabbed an interception).
USC signed 8 defensive backs to bolster the secondary. Two graduated a semester early from high school and enrolled at USC this spring as freshmen: safety Briton Allen (IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.) and cornerback Max Williams (Serra High in Gardena, Calif.), who might be limited in spring drills while recovering from a 2018 knee injury.
Coming in the fall are 4 other corners: 2-time JC All-American Jaylen Watson (Ventura Junior College in Ventura, Calif.), who will be a junior after getting 8 interceptions in his 2-year JC career, and freshmen Trey Davis (Federal Way High in Federal Way, Wash.), Adonis Otey (Blackman High in Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and Jayden Williams (Centennial High in Corona, Calif.). A pair of safeties also arrive in the fall as freshmen: Dorian Hewett (North Shore Senior High in Houston, Tex.), who helped North Shore Senior to the 2018 Texas 6A-I state championship, and Kaulana Makaula (Punahou School in Honolulu, Hi.).
"The secondary is the biggest void we have to fill on defense after losing all our starters," said Helton. "Some young players will have to step up and help us immediately."
SPECIAL TEAMS
USC returns players at placekicker (Michael Brown, Chase McGrath, Alex Stadthaus), snapper (Damon Johnson), punt returner (Tyler Vaughns) and kickoff returner (Velus Jones Jr.), but there will be a new punter now that Reid Budrovich (the 2017 and 2018 starter who logged a 40.5-yard career average) and Chris Tilbey (the 2016 starter, with a career average of 37.9 yards) have graduated. Under coordinator John Baxter, the Trojans typically field effective and impactful special teams units. Last year, USC blocked 4 punts/field goals (good for 10th nationally), scored twice on punt returns, kicked 13 field goals, tied a school game record for field goals (5), averaged double digits in punt return yardage average (10.5), had touchbacks on two-thirds of its 61 kickoffs and had fair catches on a third of its 66 punts (and 18 others pinned foes inside the 20-yard line, with just 3 touchbacks). But the Trojans also surrendered a punt return for a touchdown, allowed a blocked field goal to be run back for a TD and had a punt blocked."Our special teams under John Baxter have always had an impact on games and we expect that to continue," said Helton. "We have some capable returners, we're fortunate to return an experienced snapper and there will be strong competition at placekicker. And we're excited to see our new punter in action."
PUNTERS
USC's punters the past 3 seasons are both gone, Reid Budrovich (he handled the duty in 2017 and 2018, averaging 40.5 yards in his career) and Australian Chris Tilbey (he punted in 2016 and briefly early last season, with a 37.9-yard career average).USC turned to Australia again for its new punter and he comes with an interesting backstory. Redshirt freshman Ben Griffiths is a 27-year-old who played professionally for 8 years in Australian Rules Football. He then trained at an Australian kicking academy to prepare for the transition to American football, enrolling at USC this spring.
PLACEKICKERS
All of USC's placekickers from 2018 return, so there will be a healthy battle for the job. Sophomore Chase McGrath (6-of-8 FG, 6-of-6 PAT in 2018) was USC's kicker on placements and kickoffs in 2017 (he nailed 12 field goals and 58 PATs in 2017, including a field goal with no time remaining to send the Texas game into overtime and another to win it in the second OT) and he continued in that role in 2018 before tearing his knee ligament in the third game, allowing him to redshirt. He'll miss 2018 spring drills while recuperating. He has 18 career field goals, with a long of 51 yards.McGrath was replaced last season by junior Michael Brown (7-of-9 FG, 32-of-32 PAT in 2018, plus 1 tcb, -2 yds, -2.0 avg), who handled the kickoff duty in 2017 before tearing a knee ligament in the second game (allowing McGrath to take over). Last season while filling in when McGrath got hurt, Brown connected on 7 field goals (with a long of 46 yards) and all 32 PAT tries.
Soph Alex Stadthaus (1 tac in 2018) was USC's kickoff man in 2018, getting touchbacks on 41 of his 61 kickoffs. His 64.3 yards per kickoff average was 11th nationally. Untested senior walk-on Thomas Fitts also is available.
SNAPPERS
Reliable junior Damon Johnson (1 tac in 2018) returns as USC's snapper after handling the job the past 2 seasons without a hitch. Redshirt freshman Jac Casasante also is available to snap.
HOLDERS
USC must find a new holder, now that Wyatt Schmidt has graduated after being the holder the past 3 seasons. Among the candidates could be last year's backup holders, sophomore quarterback Jack Sears and junior quarterback Matt Fink.All of USC's return men are back in 2019. Junior wide receiver Tyler Vaughns (19 PR, 199 yds, 10.5 avg, 1 TD in 2018) was 13th nationally in punt return average (10.5 average) last year and had an 82-yard TD among his 19 runbacks. Junior wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (21 KOR, 483 yds, 23.0 avg in 2018) has returned kickoffs the past 2 years and is ninth on USC's career kickoff return list with 52 runbacks for 1,243 yards (a 23.9 average). Junior tailback Stephen Carr (6 KOR, 151 yds, 25.2 avg in 2018) also has been deep on kickoffs the past 2 years.
