The arrival of Kliff Kingsbury will mean a new offense and new positions for USC. Here is an initial estimation of what the depth chart could look like when USC opens spring practice in March.
QUARTERBACK
18-JT Daniels (6-1, 210, So)
10-Jack Sears (6-3, 200, R-So)
19-Matt Fink (6-3, 190, R-Jr)
Starter's grade: B-
Depth grade: B+
Comment: Will a new OC mean this competition is open? It should be. Daniels is best suited to throw more, but Sears’ mobility is enticing. Quicker reads will be welcomed by all.
RECEIVERS
WR-X (outside)
6-Michael Pittman (6-4, 215, Sr)
87-Randal Grimes (6-4, 205, R-So)
WR-Z (outside)
2-Devon Williams (6-4, 205, So)
17-Josh Imatorbhebhe (6-2, 215, R-Jr)
WR-Y (inside)
8-Amon-Ra St. Brown (6-1, 195, So)
85-Keyshawn Young (5-11, 170, R-Jr)
WR-H (inside)
21-Tyler Vaughns (6-2, 185, R-Jr)
1-Velus Jones (6-0, 190, R-Jr)
13-Trevon Sidney (5-11, 170, R-Jr)
Starters' grade: A-
Depth grade: B
Comment: As of now, this is the best position group on the entire team. I could see Vaughns playing inside to get Williams on the field. Using more receivers could unlock the athleticism of Jones, Imatorbhebhe and Sidney.
B-back/Tight end
83-Josh Falo (6-6, 235, Jr)
84-Erik Krommenhoek (6-5, 245, Jr)
88-Daniel Imatorbhebhe (6-3, 240, R-Sr)
Starter's grade: C+
Depth grade: C+
Comment: It remains to be seen how much of a priority this position will be in USC’s new offense. Falo and Imatorbhebhe, if healthy, are ideal receiving targets.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Right tackle
54-Jalen McKenzie (6-5, 305, R-So) OR
76-Clayton Bradley (6-5, 295, R-Sr)
68-Liam Douglass (6-5, 290, R-Fr)
Right guard
72-Andrew Vorhees (6-6, 310, Jr)
65-Frank Martin (6-4, 300, R-Jr)
Center
62-Brett Neilon (6-2, 295, R-So) OR
57-Justin Dedich (6-2, 290, R-Fr)
Left guard
75-Alijah Vera-Tucker (6-5, 290, R-So)
52-Jacob Daniel (6-4, 305, R-Jr)
Left tackle
73-Austin Jackson (6-6, 302, Jr)
51-Bernard Schirmer (6-6, 290, R-Jr)
Starters' grade: C-
Depth grade: C
Comment: Every job should be up for grabs.
RUNNING BACKS
7-Stephen Carr (6-0, 205, Jr) OR
29-Vavae Malepeai (6-0, 210, R-Jr)
30-Markese Stepp (6-0, 230, R-Fr)
Starter's grade: B-
Depth grade: B
Comment: They’re different enough that a committee can be pretty effective. Carr and Malepeai are begging to be used more in the passing game.
QUARTERBACK
18-JT Daniels (6-1, 210, So)
10-Jack Sears (6-3, 200, R-So)
19-Matt Fink (6-3, 190, R-Jr)
Starter's grade: B-
Depth grade: B+
Comment: Will a new OC mean this competition is open? It should be. Daniels is best suited to throw more, but Sears’ mobility is enticing. Quicker reads will be welcomed by all.
RECEIVERS
WR-X (outside)
6-Michael Pittman (6-4, 215, Sr)
87-Randal Grimes (6-4, 205, R-So)
WR-Z (outside)
2-Devon Williams (6-4, 205, So)
17-Josh Imatorbhebhe (6-2, 215, R-Jr)
WR-Y (inside)
8-Amon-Ra St. Brown (6-1, 195, So)
85-Keyshawn Young (5-11, 170, R-Jr)
WR-H (inside)
21-Tyler Vaughns (6-2, 185, R-Jr)
1-Velus Jones (6-0, 190, R-Jr)
13-Trevon Sidney (5-11, 170, R-Jr)
Starters' grade: A-
Depth grade: B
Comment: As of now, this is the best position group on the entire team. I could see Vaughns playing inside to get Williams on the field. Using more receivers could unlock the athleticism of Jones, Imatorbhebhe and Sidney.
B-back/Tight end
83-Josh Falo (6-6, 235, Jr)
84-Erik Krommenhoek (6-5, 245, Jr)
88-Daniel Imatorbhebhe (6-3, 240, R-Sr)
Starter's grade: C+
Depth grade: C+
Comment: It remains to be seen how much of a priority this position will be in USC’s new offense. Falo and Imatorbhebhe, if healthy, are ideal receiving targets.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Right tackle
54-Jalen McKenzie (6-5, 305, R-So) OR
76-Clayton Bradley (6-5, 295, R-Sr)
68-Liam Douglass (6-5, 290, R-Fr)
Right guard
72-Andrew Vorhees (6-6, 310, Jr)
65-Frank Martin (6-4, 300, R-Jr)
Center
62-Brett Neilon (6-2, 295, R-So) OR
57-Justin Dedich (6-2, 290, R-Fr)
Left guard
75-Alijah Vera-Tucker (6-5, 290, R-So)
52-Jacob Daniel (6-4, 305, R-Jr)
Left tackle
73-Austin Jackson (6-6, 302, Jr)
51-Bernard Schirmer (6-6, 290, R-Jr)
Starters' grade: C-
Depth grade: C
Comment: Every job should be up for grabs.
RUNNING BACKS
7-Stephen Carr (6-0, 205, Jr) OR
29-Vavae Malepeai (6-0, 210, R-Jr)
30-Markese Stepp (6-0, 230, R-Fr)
Starter's grade: B-
Depth grade: B
Comment: They’re different enough that a committee can be pretty effective. Carr and Malepeai are begging to be used more in the passing game.
