SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TROJANS
2014 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 8
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Silas Redd-TB, De'Von Flourney-WR, John Martinez-OG, Kevin Graf-OT, Xavier Grimble-TE (NFL), Marqise Lee-WR (NFL), Marcus Martin-C (NFL)
DEFENSE: Devon Kennard-OLB, Morgan Breslin-OLB, Torin Harris-CB, Demetrius Wright-FS, Dion Bailey-FS (NFL), George Uko-DE (NFL)
WR Nelson Agholor
Receiver / Defensive Line / Secondary

Even with the loss of oft-injured Marqise Lee at receiver, this bunch is full of premier talent. Nelson Agholor is primed to be one of top Pac 12 pass catchers. Stuffing the run was one of USC's better facets last season as was getting after the passer. Led by All-American defensive end Leonard Williams, no reason exists as to why they won't be even better next season. The secondary, too, appears to be awful solid. This defense is going to be competitive as new head coach Steve Sarkisian will inherit quite a full cupboard.

Offensive Line / Passing Game

This offensive line was extremely poor in pass protection and didn't have the ability to dominate through most of 2013. Losing center Marcus Martin to the NFL makes the job of stepping up the production that much tougher. The passing game wasn't a thing of beauty either. Cody Kessler hasn't been horrible but he is not the type of quarterback USC has become accustomed to seeing on Saturdays. Expect improvement in the passing game, it needs work.

DE Leonard Williams
 
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2014 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Cody Kessler-Jr (6-1, 215) Max Browne-RFr (6-5, 215)
FB Jahleel Pinner-Jr (5-11, 235) Soma Vainuku-Jr (6-0, 270) (ST)
TB Tre Madden-Jr (6-1, 225) JaVorius Allen-Jr (6-1, 220) / Justin Davis-So (6-1, 195)
WR Nelson Agholor-Jr (6-1, 190) (RS) Victor Blackwell-Jr (6-1, 195)
WR Darreus Rogers-So (6-1, 215) George Farmer-Jr (6-1, 220)
WR Steven Mitchell-RFr (5-10, 185) George Katrib-Jr (6-0, 185)
TE Randall Telfer-Sr (6-4, 260) Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick-Jr (6-4, 250)
OT Chad Wheeler-So (6-7, 280) Jordan Austin-Fr (6-5, 280)
OG Toa Lobendahn-Fr (6-3, 280) Jordan Simmons-So (6-4, 350)
C Max Tuerk-Jr (6-6, 285) Giovanni Di Poalo-Sr (6-4, 280)
OG Aundrey Walker-Sr (6-6, 315) Khaliel Rodgers-RFr (6-2, 295)
OT Nathan Guertler-Sr (6-5, 270) Zach Banner-So (6-9, 350)
K Andre Heidari-Sr (5-11, 220) Alex Wood-So (5-10, 175)
 
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2014 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Leonard Williams-Jr (6-5, 300) Greg Townsend-Jr (6-3, 275)
NT Antwaun Woods-Jr (6-1, 325) Kenny Bigelow-RFr (6-3, 310)
DT Delvon Simmons-Jr (6-5, 295) Claude Pelon-Jr (6-4, 295)
SOLB Jabari Ruffin-So (6-3, 240) Quinton Powell-So (6-2, 200)
MLB Hayes Pullard-Sr (6-1, 235) Michael Hutchings-So (6-1, 210)
WLB Anthony Sarao-Jr (6-0, 220) Lamar Dawson-Sr (6-1, 230)
ROLB J.R. Tavai-Sr (6-2, 250) Scott Starr-So (6-2, 230)
CB Kevon Seymour-Jr (6-0, 185) Chris Hawkins-RFr (5-11, 185)
CB Josh Shaw-Sr (6-1, 200) Anthony Brown-Sr (5-9, 190)
SS Su'a Cravens-So (6-1, 225) Gerald Bowman-Sr (6-0, 205)
FS Leon McQuay-So (6-1, 185) JuJu Smith-Fr (6-2, 210)
P Kris Albarado-Jr (5-10, 200) Jack Basalari-RFr (5-11, 175)

 

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2014 SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 Fresno State
Sep. 6 at Stanford
Sep. 13 at Boston College
Sep. 27 Oregon State
Oct. 4 Arizona State
Oct. 11 at Arizona
Oct. 18 Colorado
Oct. 25 at Utah
Nov. 1 at Washington State
Nov. 13 California
Nov. 22 at UCLA
Nov. 29 Notre Dame