OFFENSE
Coaching- There is a natural step up from first year to second for coaches after becoming familiar with the personnel. And vice versa with the players. Sharing/ Handing off the play calling allows better game control for an HC. Add in a plus 13-15 players for more depth is big. Rating 2014- 7 of 10. 2015-8 of 10.
Quarterback- Kessler was arguably the #2-3 best QB in the PAC-12 last year and IMO is the best returning PAC 12 QB this year. Add in the emergence of Max Browne as a viable alternative . The Ranking: 8.5 of 10 in 2014. 9.5 of 10 in 2015.
Running Backs- USC wasn't the best of running teams last year (4.0 ypc) but Allen was a viable runner-receiver-blocker. Davis and Toland were a distant 2-3. But little real breakaway threats. This year we will miss Buck but have more able bodies, and maybe a few more breakaway guys, but the latter is still potential. The Ranking: 7 of 10 in 2014. 6.5 of 10 in 2015 until question marks are answered.
O Line- Last year was a mix of Frosh, Sophs and a few Upperclassmen. The lack of depth showed at times. This year Wheeler returns and everyone is a year older. And the depth chart shows possibly 10 experienced and viable starter-level players in the mix. The depth should help the running game. The Ranking: 7 of 10 in 2014. 9 of 10 in 2015.
WR: Loss of all around Agholor hurt, and less so George Farmer (except to himself maybe). But Agholor wasn't perfect (remember the Utah game) and there is a good group of receivers that are more advantageous to me in their height and weight as well as catching ability...there are now 4 of USCs top wide receivers at 215 ponds or more (good for downfield blocking and extra yards on pull away plays) and all are 6-1 (Rogers) to 6-4 (Dequan Hampton), Add in speed players like Adoree Jackson and its close to last year and maybe a bit better. The Ranking: 9 of 10 in 2014. 9 of 10 in 2015.
TE: Still remains the question mark from last year. JCP (grades) and Bryce Dixon ("politics") are further dropouts. There certainly are more bodies than I thought between frosh, transfers, and position changes (Hobbi). We just don't know yet. The Ranking: 7.5 of 10 in 2014. 6.5 of 10 in 2015.
DEFENSE
D Line: You can't lose a Leonard Williams and not hurt. Add in an underrated JR Tavai. But Starters Antuan Woods, and Delvin Simmons return and there are a number of rotation players that could contribute, plus the Freshmen like Dorton and Bigelow. And the Combo OLB/Safety role played by Cravens should help on sacks. The Ranking: 9 of 10 in 2014. 8 of 10 in 2015.
Linebackers: Loss of top tackler Hayes Pullard will hurt but overall the unit is much deeper in Talent. Sua Cravens and Anthony Sarao as returners and Dawson and Ruffin are coming back for injury seasons. This could be a special unit. The Ranking: 7 of 10 in 2014. 8.5 of 10 in 2015.
Secondary: Very young last year and often beaten but it was a learning year and now players with starting experience are Cravens, Adoree Jackson, Leon McQuay III, John Plattenburg and Kevon Seymour. And the backup is nearly as good. USC did lose Bowman and Josh Shaw (though he started but 2 games). The Ranking: 6.5 of 10 in 2014. 8.0 of 10, or more in 2015.
Special teams: Hediari beat Stanford twice and that's laudatory, but his successor Alex Wood was known to have the bigger leg and was used for Kick offs. He beat off scholarship player Boormeister. Punter Kris Albarado returns and was a little longer in his punts (41.4 yds average) than in the prior year. The Ranking: 7.5 of 10 in 2014. 7.5 of 10 in 2015.
So I see improvements in the units of Coaching, QB, O line, Linebackers, Secondary. Similar marks for WR and Special Teams, and decreases (mostly question marks) in RB, TE, and DL. But overall with the depth improvement and great recruiting classes set to shine, I see this as leading to an improved year.
Your opinions?
Coaching- There is a natural step up from first year to second for coaches after becoming familiar with the personnel. And vice versa with the players. Sharing/ Handing off the play calling allows better game control for an HC. Add in a plus 13-15 players for more depth is big. Rating 2014- 7 of 10. 2015-8 of 10.
Quarterback- Kessler was arguably the #2-3 best QB in the PAC-12 last year and IMO is the best returning PAC 12 QB this year. Add in the emergence of Max Browne as a viable alternative . The Ranking: 8.5 of 10 in 2014. 9.5 of 10 in 2015.
Running Backs- USC wasn't the best of running teams last year (4.0 ypc) but Allen was a viable runner-receiver-blocker. Davis and Toland were a distant 2-3. But little real breakaway threats. This year we will miss Buck but have more able bodies, and maybe a few more breakaway guys, but the latter is still potential. The Ranking: 7 of 10 in 2014. 6.5 of 10 in 2015 until question marks are answered.
O Line- Last year was a mix of Frosh, Sophs and a few Upperclassmen. The lack of depth showed at times. This year Wheeler returns and everyone is a year older. And the depth chart shows possibly 10 experienced and viable starter-level players in the mix. The depth should help the running game. The Ranking: 7 of 10 in 2014. 9 of 10 in 2015.
WR: Loss of all around Agholor hurt, and less so George Farmer (except to himself maybe). But Agholor wasn't perfect (remember the Utah game) and there is a good group of receivers that are more advantageous to me in their height and weight as well as catching ability...there are now 4 of USCs top wide receivers at 215 ponds or more (good for downfield blocking and extra yards on pull away plays) and all are 6-1 (Rogers) to 6-4 (Dequan Hampton), Add in speed players like Adoree Jackson and its close to last year and maybe a bit better. The Ranking: 9 of 10 in 2014. 9 of 10 in 2015.
TE: Still remains the question mark from last year. JCP (grades) and Bryce Dixon ("politics") are further dropouts. There certainly are more bodies than I thought between frosh, transfers, and position changes (Hobbi). We just don't know yet. The Ranking: 7.5 of 10 in 2014. 6.5 of 10 in 2015.
DEFENSE
D Line: You can't lose a Leonard Williams and not hurt. Add in an underrated JR Tavai. But Starters Antuan Woods, and Delvin Simmons return and there are a number of rotation players that could contribute, plus the Freshmen like Dorton and Bigelow. And the Combo OLB/Safety role played by Cravens should help on sacks. The Ranking: 9 of 10 in 2014. 8 of 10 in 2015.
Linebackers: Loss of top tackler Hayes Pullard will hurt but overall the unit is much deeper in Talent. Sua Cravens and Anthony Sarao as returners and Dawson and Ruffin are coming back for injury seasons. This could be a special unit. The Ranking: 7 of 10 in 2014. 8.5 of 10 in 2015.
Secondary: Very young last year and often beaten but it was a learning year and now players with starting experience are Cravens, Adoree Jackson, Leon McQuay III, John Plattenburg and Kevon Seymour. And the backup is nearly as good. USC did lose Bowman and Josh Shaw (though he started but 2 games). The Ranking: 6.5 of 10 in 2014. 8.0 of 10, or more in 2015.
Special teams: Hediari beat Stanford twice and that's laudatory, but his successor Alex Wood was known to have the bigger leg and was used for Kick offs. He beat off scholarship player Boormeister. Punter Kris Albarado returns and was a little longer in his punts (41.4 yds average) than in the prior year. The Ranking: 7.5 of 10 in 2014. 7.5 of 10 in 2015.
So I see improvements in the units of Coaching, QB, O line, Linebackers, Secondary. Similar marks for WR and Special Teams, and decreases (mostly question marks) in RB, TE, and DL. But overall with the depth improvement and great recruiting classes set to shine, I see this as leading to an improved year.
Your opinions?
