LOS ANGELES — It’s been a relatively quiet few weeks for USC’s football program, with the exception of running backs coach Kiel McDonald heading to the Chargers. But spring ball is now three weeks away, so football — or something that resembles it — is quickly approaching.<\/p>\n
With that in mind, it’s time to start thinking about what USC will look like once practice starts next month and how things shape up for the 2024 season.<\/p>\n
Here’s one thought on each scholarship offensive player. Defense and special teams will come later this week.<\/p>\n
Note: Only players on the roster in the spring are included.<\/p>\n
Miller Moss (R-Jr.): Based on his strong Holiday Bowl performance, experience in Lincoln Riley’s system and established chemistry with his returning teammates, Moss is the strong favorite to win the starting job.<\/p>\n
The media won’t see a ton of actual football during spring practice until the spring game April 20, and even then Riley will probably keep things pretty vanilla. Since he became a head coach in 2017, Riley has never operated throughout an entire season with a starting quarterback like Moss — not a true dual-threat — so it will be interesting to see what the offense looks like.<\/p>\n
Jayden Maiava (R-So.): Maiva made the interesting decision to transfer from UNLV (where he was the sure starter) to USC (where there’s no guarantee he’ll start). But he’s an intriguing player who is both young (he has three seasons of eligibility remaining) and experienced (he led the Rebels to the Mountain West title game in 2023).<\/p>\n
Though Moss is the favorite for the job, it seems pretty clear Maiava will have a shot to compete. The Trojans made a strong push for him once he entered the portal and doubled down on the pursuit even after he committed to Georgia. This spring will be about how quickly Maiava can catch up.<\/p>\n
Jake Jensen (R-Jr.): Jensen has played one snap in two seasons at USC. Barring a massive surprise, he’ll be a depth piece in this position group, which could stand to add another body.<\/p>\n
Jo’Quavious Marks (Sr.): USC lacks experience at this position. Marks totaled 3,108 yards from scrimmage and 27 touchdowns in four years with Mississippi State, and that production makes him the front-runner for a starting role.<\/p>\n
USC has valued backs who can catch out of the backfield, such as Travis Dye and MarShawn Lloyd, and Marks caught at least 45 passes in three different seasons at Mississippi State. That will help his cause.<\/p>\n
Quinten Joyner (So.): Joyner rushed 18 times for 125 yards last season but might be in line for an expanded role in 2024 — potentially as the No. 2 back depending on how things shake out.<\/p>\n
A’Marion Peterson (R-Fr.): Peterson played in just two games last season and carried the ball twice for 14 yards. His path toward playing time isn’t as crowded as last year when he was behind Joyner, Lloyd, Austin Jones and Darwin Barlow. There is an opportunity for carries.<\/p>\n
Bryan Jackson (Fr.): Jackson was a three-star signee who, at 6 feet and 240 pounds, will be USC’s heaviest back by a good margin.<\/p>\n
Jaden Richardson (Sr.): Richardson, a transfer from Tufts, is making the rare jump from Division III to the Big Ten. He’ll provide veteran depth that this position group needs.<\/p>\n
Kyron Hudson (R-Jr.): Hudson has patiently waited his turn, and this season might be his best opportunity to earn an expanded role. He’s been a dependable pass catcher but hasn’t been able to showcase that because of a crowded receiver group. The position thinned out a bit this offseason, and Hudson is the receiver who’s spent the most time in the offense.<\/p>\n
Zachariah Branch (So.): We all saw Branch’s explosiveness last season, particularly in the return game. That speed earned him a spot on USC’s track team, but it shouldn’t force him to miss much of spring ball, according to Riley. Branch should be the Trojans’ No. 1 target, but he has to continue to develop as a receiver, and the staff has to find more creative ways to get him the ball.<\/p>\n
Duce Robinson (So.): Robinson is playing baseball this spring but isn’t expected to miss much football practice. The 6-6 sophomore posted 351 receiving yards in 2023 (third on the team) and built a good rapport with Moss late in blowouts. Robinson has the potential to be one of USC’s top wideouts this year.<\/p>\n
Ja’Kobi Lane (So.): Lane caught three passes during the regular season then caught three passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl. We saw what the 6-4, 180-pound wideout could be: a jump-ball magnet who thrives in the red zone and contested-catch situations. He should benefit from getting more reps this spring.<\/p>\n
Makai Lemon (So.): USC’s depth got so thin in the secondary last season that Lemon was forced to play some corner late in the year. He moved back to wideout for the Holiday Bowl and caught two passes for 75 yards. Lemon is often overlooked because of Robinson and Branch, but he is a former top-50 national recruit, and his progress will be worth tracking this spring.<\/p>\n
Xavier Jordan (Fr.): Jordan was the top-ranked receiver prospect in California in the Class of 2024 and should benefit from the fact this group isn’t as deep as it was a year ago. He should get plenty of reps in the spring.<\/p>\n
Lake McRee (R-Jr.): McRee sustained a serious injury during Holiday Bowl practices and is expected to miss significant time (including spring practice).<\/p>\n
Carson Tabaracci (R-So.): Tabaracci moved to tight end from linebacker last spring due to a lack of depth at the position. He should work with the first-team offense with McRee out.<\/p>\n
Kade Eldridge (R-Fr.): Eldridge played in just one game last season (the Holiday Bowl) and didn’t receive any targets, so there’s still plenty to learn about him as a player. He’ll get a lot of snaps this spring.<\/p>\n
Joey Olsen (Fr.): The 6-5, 220-pound Olsen was the top-ranked prospect in Oregon in the 2024 recruiting cycle. He was a multisport athlete in high school (he also played baseball, basketball and track and field) so he brings size and athleticism to this group. It’ll be interesting to see how Riley utilizes Olsen — and all of the tight ends — as the program moves to the Big Ten.<\/p>\n
Gino Quinones (R-Sr.): Quinones figures to be a key rotation piece along the interior of the offensive line, but he isn’t expected to participate in spring practice while he recovers from an injury suffered early last season.<\/p>\n
Cooper Lovelace (R-Sr.): Lovelace hasn’t received much meaningful playing time in two seasons, and it’s difficult to envision a path toward that this season.<\/p>\n
Jonah Monheim (R-Sr.): Monheim is USC’s best offensive lineman and has spent the majority of his career at tackle. He started at guard in the bowl game. Will USC move him there full time?<\/p>\n
Emmanuel Pregnon (Sr.): Pregnon was a hyped addition last offseason when he transferred from Wyoming. He started at left guard but was inconsistent in his first season at USC. The Trojans need him to develop and become a steady performer as they transition to the more physical Big Ten.<\/p>\n
Mason Murphy (R-Jr.): Murphy began last season as the backup right tackle then became the starting right guard but struggled against UCLA and didn’t start the bowl game. He is a key piece up front in 2024.<\/p>\n
Elijah Paige (So.): Paige played well as the starting left tackle in the Holiday Bowl and show plenty of promise. Though he’s inexperienced, he’ll probably be given the first crack at starting there this spring.<\/p>\n
Alani Noa (So.): Noa was the opening-day starter at right guard but fell out of the rotation after the first few games. He was pressed into action against UCLA but had rough moments. Noa has the size and strength but will have to continue to refine his game.<\/p>\n
Micah Banuelos, Tobias Raymond and Amos Talalele (R-Fr.): These three are in similar positions. They all redshirted last year and were allowed to develop behind older players. USC should have a better idea of what it has with them this spring, and we’ll see if any can crack the two-deep.<\/p>\n
Jason Zandamela, Justin Tauanuu and Kalolo Ta’aga (Fr.): These three recent signees will be going through their first college practices next month. Zandamela was a top-150 prospect and one of the highest-ranked offensive line recruits USC has signed in years. There’s always a learning curve for true freshman linemen, but there is a chance he could play early.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOS ANGELES — It’s been a relatively quiet few weeks for USC’s football program, with the exception of running backs coach Kiel McDonald heading to the Chargers. But spring ball is now three weeks away, so football — or something that resembles it — is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":35212,"menu_order":0,"template":"","acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n