SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TROJANS
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 9
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Rhett Ellison-FB, Marc Tyler-TB, Brandon Carswell-WR, Matt Kalil-OT (NFL)
DEFENSE: Christian Tupou-NT, DaJohn Harris-DT, Chris Galippo-MLB, Nick Perry-DE (NFL)
QB Matt Barkley
Quarterback / Receiver

Matt Barkley somehow found it in his heart to return to L.A. for his senior year. The Trojans amazingly have all the makings of a Top 5 team despite NCAA sanctions. Robert Woods is a Fred Biletnikoff Award Finalist given to the nation's top receiver. His partner Marqise Lee was Co-Offensive Freshman of The Year in the Pac 12.

Defensive Line / Quarterback Depth

With Pac 12 sack leader Nick Perry bolting early for the NFL, the Trojans need to replace three starters up front on the DL from a unit that was part of a Top 20 run stopping defense. No quarterback exists on the roster that threw a single pass this past season.

FS T.J. McDonald
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Matt Barkley-Sr ..
FB .. ..
TB Curtis McNeal-Sr D.J. Morgan-So
WR Robert Woods-Jr Amir Carlisle-So
WR Marqise Lee-So Brice Butler-Sr
TE Xavier Grimble-So Randall Telfer-So
OT .. ..
OG Marcus Martin-So Jeremy Gulten-Sr
C Khaled Holmes-Sr ..
OG John Martinez-Jr ..
OT Kevin Graf-Jr ..
K Andre Heidari-So ..
 
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Wes Horton-Sr Devon Kennard-Sr
NT .. ..
DT George Uko-So ..
DE Kevin Greene-Jr ..
SLB Dion Bailey-So Tre Madden-So
MLB Lamar Dawson-So ..
WLB Hayes Pullard-So ..
CB Nickell Robey-Jr Tony Burnett-Sr
CB Isiah Wiley-Sr Torin Harris-Jr / Anthony Brown-So
SS Jawanza Starling-Sr Demetrius Wright-Jr
FS T.J. McDonald-Sr Drew McAllister-Sr
P Kyle Negrete-Sr ..
QUICK TAKES
  • USC is a legit Top 5 preseason team with Matt Barkley behind center. That is how remarkable the senior-to-be finished the 2011 stretch. Without him in the lineup, the Trojans will drop completely out of the Top 10.
  • The mighty recruiting prowess of USC is still shining through despite NCAA sanctions. Receiver Marqise Lee and linebacker Dion Bailey earned Pac 12 Freshman of The Year honors while kicker Andre Heidari was awarded All-Conference honors.
  • With only 15 scholarships per year to give out over the next three seasons, the current coaching staff has been loading up on the recruiting trail before the sanctions have a chance to take effect. The Trojans 2011 finish and 2012 start are sure-tell signs.
  • The loss of Pac 12 sack leader Nick Perry won't sting quite as much with seniors Wes Horton and Devon Kennard in the lineup.
  • The offensive line returns four starters from a group that led the nation in sacks allowed. Barkley will have time in the pocket.
  • Robert Woods broke Keyshawn Johnson's Pac 12 record for receptions in a single season.
  • Too much talent exists in this secondary for USC to be the nation's 101st ranked passing defense.
  • On USC’s current 48-man 2-deep depth chart 37 players are nonseniors, including 16 starters.

 

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2012 SCHEDULE
non-conference opponents

09/01 - Hawaii
09/08 - Syracuse @East Rutherford, NJ
11/24 - Notre Dame
TBA - Arizona State
TBA - California
TBA - Colorado
TBA - Oregon
TBA - at Arizona
TBA - at Stanford
TBA - at Utah
TBA - at Washington
TBA - at UCLA