NFL
By George Lopez
The USC Trojans football team enters the 2022 season with excitement and buzz not felt around the program since the Pete Carroll days. The Trojans were ranked 14th in the preseason AP poll. The Trojans finished the 2021 season with a record of 4-8. Clay Helton was fired during the season. In the off-season, the Trojans made a huge splash when they hired Lincoln Riley to be their next head coach. Riley immediately began to rebuild the roster.
The roster was rebuilt, not through the traditional route of high school recruiting. Coach Riley used the transfer portal to bring in 14 new players to USC, some who are expected to have an immediate impact. One of the biggest names to transfer is quarterback Caleb Williams, who was Coach Riley’s starting quarterback at Oklahoma last season. Last season, Williams took over the Sooners’ quarterback duties as a freshman and threw for 1912 yards with 21 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Williams also added 442 yards rushing with 6 touchdowns. With Williams knowledge of Coach Riley’s offense, he should be in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy.
The USC Trojans Offense
Besides Caleb Williams, wide receiver Mario Williams also transferred to USC from Oklahoma. Last season, Mario Williams caught 35 passes for 380 yards and 4 touchdowns. Look for those numbers to improve this season. 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison joins the Trojans receiving group after transferring from Pitt. Last season, Addison caught 100 passes for 1953 yards and 17 touchdowns. He brings a strong work ethic to the receiver’s room that will pay dividends on the field. Brenden Rice, son of NFL great Jerry Rice joined the Trojans from Colorado. Addison, Williams, and Rice are expected to be the starting wide receivers for the Trojans, with Gary Bryant, Jr, Terrell Bynum, and John Jackson III expected to see significant playing time.
At the running back position, the Trojans returned to the transfer portal and brought in Travis Dye from Oregon. Last season, Dye led the Ducks with 1271 yards rushing with 15 touchdowns. Dye has the ability to make defenders miss him in the open field and the quickness and strength to get through the hole at the line of scrimmage. Dye enters the season as the starting tailback. Austin Jones, Darwin Barlow will also see plenty of playing time in the Trojans backfield. Incoming freshman and 5-star recruit Raleek Brown should see some time on the field as well.
On the offensive line, the Trojans return starters Andrew Vorhees, Justin Dedich, and Brett Neilon. Last season, Neilon did not allow a sack the entire year, and Vorhees was the only lineman in the NCAA to score a 90+ grade for both run and pass blocking by Pro Football Focus. Redshirt Senior Bobby Haskins and redshirt sophomore Jonah Monheim are listed as starters on the depth chart to fill out the offensive line. For the Trojans’ offense to have any success this season, the offensive line will need to be able to open up the running lanes for the running backs and give Caleb Williams time to hit his wide receivers in Riley’s vaunted passing game.
The USC Trojans Defense
The Trojans’ defense had an underwhelming year last season. The defense gave up an average of 32 points a game. New defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was brought in to improve the Trojans defense. The defensive line will need to improve on their numbers from last season. They averaged less than 2 sacks a game. The return of Nick Figueroa should help bolster the defensive line. Junior defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu had a huge season for the Trojans last season. He had 34 tackles, 17 quarterback hurries, and 6 sacks. His numbers should be even better in Coach Grinch’s defense. Redshirt junior Stanley Ta’ufo’ou is slated to start alongside Figueroa and Tuipulotu.
At the linebacker position, Shane Lee transfers in from Alabama and slides right into the starting middle linebacker spot. Playing at Alabama, Lee brings the experience of playing in big games and should play a leadership role on the defense. Senior Ralen Goforth slots in at the weakside linebacker position, with Romello Height slated to start as the edge rusher. Look for former 5-star recruit Korey Foreman to see significant playing time for the Trojans defense.
In the secondary, the Trojans are expected to play a nickel defense primarily. The projected starters are Mekhi Blackmon and Joshua Jackson, Jr. at the cornerback positions. Calen Bullock returns as the starting free safety, and Xavion Alford at strong safety. Redshirt junior Max Williams is penciled in as the starting nickelback. Alford will be looked on to be a leader in the secondary. Last season, he had 31 tackles with 3 interceptions. If the front seven is able to put pressure on the opposing offense, the secondary should have a monster season.
On special teams, the Trojans will look to new players as they lost their punter, placekicker, and long snapper. For the punter position, walk-ons Will Rose and Michael McAllister are competing for the position. Redshirt senior Alex Stadthaus is likely the starting placekicker.
In what will be their final season in the PAC12, the Trojans will have 3 of their toughest conference games on the road as they will visit Oregon St, Utah and their crosstown rivals UCLA. They end their season at home against intersectional rival Notre Dame. Both Utah and Notre Dame are ranked in the AP poll top 10, coming in at number 5 and 7, respectively. USC will also face 25th-ranked Fresno St. early in the season. Though they are unranked, UCLA will be a formidable team this season, and the Trojans to erase the memories of the 62-33 defeat UCLA handed to them last season. The outcome of these 5 games will go a long way in determining the Trojans rankings at the end of the season and whether they will play in the CFP, New Year’s six bowl game, or qualify for a bowl game.
