2013 Outlook - USC

Over the last decade, the USC Trojans have been amongst the best collegiate football programs, in terms of winning, and producing future NFLers.  Many of the guys who have been drafted from the program have come into the league with a lot of hype.  Surprisingly though, with a few notable exceptions, many of these highly touted prospects have truly bombed on the big stage.  So how will the loaded 2013 Trojans fair on the field?



SR QB Matt Barkley passed up on the opportunity to be the third QB selected in this past draft, to take a shot at being the first one selected in the next.  He return to Southern Cal to try and leave the program as one of the best ever.  He has a lot of talent around him, which should help him do just that.  SR RB Curtis McNeal and SO RB DJ Morgan will get most of the carries this year for the Trojans.  They are both talented, and Morgan even projects well at the pro level too, but there is absolutely no depth behind them.  It will be important for these boys to stay healthy.  At receiver, Barkley is blessed with the best weapons in the nation.  I really like the Hunter/Rogers combo at Tennessee, but Woods, Lee, and Farmer are part of the best overall unit in the nation.  JR Robert Woods is not only projecting as the best wide out in the country, but he is projecting as one of the best overall players.  Marquis Lee is entering his SO season after blowing onto the scene last year.  George Farmer was moved around a lot last year as a FR, but he is as talented as either of the other two.  Even SO TE Randall Telfer gets in on the act as a legitimate weapon for Barkley to throw to.  Although the guys up front lost Matt Kalil to the NFL, this year's unit is stronger overall.  They may not have as much star power without Kalil, but it seems that SO OG Marcus Martin could be emerging as the next great USC o-lineman.

Traditionally, USC defenders fly around the field making plays from anywhere.  Although talented, this years defense may not be as dangerous at all levels as defenses of recent past.  The biggest question for this defense is up front.  With Nick Perry now in the NFL, there is a real question about how this unit will get pressure off the edge.  SR DE Wes Horton is the best player up front projected to start, but he is definitely not at Nick Perry's level.  The linebackers are uber-talented as usual though.  Led by SO standouts Dion Bailey, and Hayes Pullard, this group is fast, tough, and ready to make an impact.  The secondary is also quite talented.  This group boasts SR S TJ McDonald as their unquestioned leader.  He is a borderline first round talent, and he is not the only play maker in this unit.  JR CB Nickell Robey is a solid cover corner, who if he continues to develop could easily make an impact on the draft class, either this year or next.

USC is loaded again, and they should be in very good position to make a big run this season.  There are very few teams anywhere that will have a roster talented enough to run with these guys.  Having said that, I still do wonder if I can expect Matt Barkley, Robert Woods, or TJ McDonald to really pan out in the pros.  With the success rate of guys like Matt Lineart, Mark Sanchez, Dewayne Jarrett, Mike Williams, LenDale White, and Taylor Mayes, it is hard to not look at these guys and wonder.