The 2018 season is finally upon us. Here’s a list of key players and storylines. (For our rough draft to these lists, click here.)
IRREPLACEABLES
The following five are indispensable to USC's success...
QB JT Daniels - USC will throw more than you think, and the gap between Daniels and his peers is bigger than you think.
LB Cam Smith - He’s been the most productive player on the roster – by a wide margin.
TB Stephen Carr - He might be the best player on the team.
DE Christian Rector - His disruptive nature makes him a perfect piece in Clancy Pendergast’s D.
FS Marvell Tell - This is really a tie with Biggie Marshall, but Tell gets the nod because there’s less experience at safety.
Also considered: WR Tyler Vaughns, CB Biggie Marshall
X FACTORS
If these players are great, USC can be great...
LB Jordan Iosefa - He plays multiple positions and he plays them well.
DB Ajene Harris - Great spring, great training camp, great season?
OT Austin Jackson - USC hasn’t had consistently strong play at left tackle for six years.
OT Chuma Edoga - He was quietly the best lineman on the team last year.
LB Porter Gustin - If he stays healthy…
Also considered: LB John Houston, TE Josh Falo, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, C Toa Lobendahn, WR Michael Pittman, TE Tyler Petite
UNDERDOGS
After having a limited role in 2017, the following players are now in position to make a sizable impact in 2018...
TB Vavae Malepeai – Either he or Ware could be listed here, but being more unlike Carr is a good thing in this instance.
DT Brandon Pili – USC’s run game isn’t the same in practice when he’s on the field.
DT Marlon Tuipulotu – He can (and will) play all three spots on the D-line.
WR Velus Jones – He’ll get his opportunities early and will have to produce for more of them.
SS Isaiah Pola-Mao – Sure, he's the beneficiary of Ykili Ross leaving the team and Bubba Bolden out indefinitely, but IPM has always had the highest ceiling.
Also considered: DL Jay Tufele, TB Aca'Cedric Ware, CB Greg Johnson, CB Isaiah Langley, DL Malik Dorton, LB Hunter Echols, C Brett Neilon
ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
Projecting USC's best true freshmen in 2018...
QB JT Daniels – He makes players around him better.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown – He moves the needle.
WR Devon Williams – Once he figures it out, watch out.
LB Kana’i Mauga – He’ll produce from Day 1.
CB Olaijah Griffin – There’s a path for him to have a big role later in the season.
Also considered: S Talanoa Hufanga, LB Palaie Gaoteote, TB Markese Stepp
POSITION BATTLES
Best position battles heading into the season...
Running back (Carr vs. Ware vs. Malepeai)
Receiver (Pittman vs. St. Brown/Jones vs. St. Brown)
Nose tackle (Pili vs. Tuipulotu)
Cornerback (Langley vs. Johnson vs. Griffin)
Strong safety (Pola-Mao vs. Pollard vs. Hufanga)
IRREPLACEABLES
The following five are indispensable to USC's success...
QB JT Daniels - USC will throw more than you think, and the gap between Daniels and his peers is bigger than you think.
LB Cam Smith - He’s been the most productive player on the roster – by a wide margin.
TB Stephen Carr - He might be the best player on the team.
DE Christian Rector - His disruptive nature makes him a perfect piece in Clancy Pendergast’s D.
FS Marvell Tell - This is really a tie with Biggie Marshall, but Tell gets the nod because there’s less experience at safety.
Also considered: WR Tyler Vaughns, CB Biggie Marshall
X FACTORS
If these players are great, USC can be great...
LB Jordan Iosefa - He plays multiple positions and he plays them well.
DB Ajene Harris - Great spring, great training camp, great season?
OT Austin Jackson - USC hasn’t had consistently strong play at left tackle for six years.
OT Chuma Edoga - He was quietly the best lineman on the team last year.
LB Porter Gustin - If he stays healthy…
Also considered: LB John Houston, TE Josh Falo, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, C Toa Lobendahn, WR Michael Pittman, TE Tyler Petite
UNDERDOGS
After having a limited role in 2017, the following players are now in position to make a sizable impact in 2018...
TB Vavae Malepeai – Either he or Ware could be listed here, but being more unlike Carr is a good thing in this instance.
DT Brandon Pili – USC’s run game isn’t the same in practice when he’s on the field.
DT Marlon Tuipulotu – He can (and will) play all three spots on the D-line.
WR Velus Jones – He’ll get his opportunities early and will have to produce for more of them.
SS Isaiah Pola-Mao – Sure, he's the beneficiary of Ykili Ross leaving the team and Bubba Bolden out indefinitely, but IPM has always had the highest ceiling.
Also considered: DL Jay Tufele, TB Aca'Cedric Ware, CB Greg Johnson, CB Isaiah Langley, DL Malik Dorton, LB Hunter Echols, C Brett Neilon
ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
Projecting USC's best true freshmen in 2018...
QB JT Daniels – He makes players around him better.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown – He moves the needle.
WR Devon Williams – Once he figures it out, watch out.
LB Kana’i Mauga – He’ll produce from Day 1.
CB Olaijah Griffin – There’s a path for him to have a big role later in the season.
Also considered: S Talanoa Hufanga, LB Palaie Gaoteote, TB Markese Stepp
POSITION BATTLES
Best position battles heading into the season...
Running back (Carr vs. Ware vs. Malepeai)
Receiver (Pittman vs. St. Brown/Jones vs. St. Brown)
Nose tackle (Pili vs. Tuipulotu)
Cornerback (Langley vs. Johnson vs. Griffin)
Strong safety (Pola-Mao vs. Pollard vs. Hufanga)
