USC 2007 Preview

It is a measure of how far Pete Carroll has taken the USC program that an 11–2 season, highlighted by a victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl, was considered a disappointment by many of the Trojans’ boosters.

Now, the expectations at USC now are the BCS Championship Game or bust. Missing it for the first time in three years was difficult for Trojans fans to take, particularly when a late 13–9 loss to dreaded crosstown rival UCLA knocked them out of the cherished postseason bid.

But Carroll — with 15 starters returning, including 10 on defense, and a banner recruiting class overflowing with blue-chip athletes — should have the Trojans right back in the thick of the BCS title race.

The key will be juicing up a running game that sputtered badly, particularly late last year, and replacing receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, who were arguably the finest pass-catching tandem in the nation last year. The schedule also will be more demanding, with most of the tougher games on the road.

But with enough potential star power at tailback to stock an American Idol tryout, some of the more exciting incoming freshmen anywhere and a defense that completely overwhelmed Michigan in the Rose Bowl, USC begins another season looking like the deepest and most talented team in the nation.

Quarterbacks 
Although he enjoyed a solid season as a first-time starter, senior signal-caller John David Booty’s future was somewhat clouded before the Rose Bowl. But then his 391-yard, four touchdown-pass performance in Pasadena silenced his critics and secured his status, even turning him into an All-America and Heisman candidate heading into 2007. More relaxed and confident, Booty had a good spring in contrast to Mark Sanchez, the highly regarded sophomore who seemed to regress somewhat. Certainly, there is no longer any doubt about the identity of the No. 1 quarterback on this roster. If Booty, hardly as tall as his listed 6'3", does have a fault, it’s a knack for getting passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage. New offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian took steps to address that in the spring, installing a shotgun formation that could be utilized in pivotal situations.

Running Backs 
USC could fill the entire Pac-10 with starting tailbacks. Including the fall enrollees, there will be 11 on the roster when camp begins in August. The question is, will Carroll settle on a couple of primary runners, the way he did with Reggie Bush and LenDale White? Or will he continue to revert to a tailback-by-committee game plan? “We’ll find a way,” Carroll says, and he probably will. He certainly won’t lack for talent. Chauncey Washington made a late springtime surge to finish as the likely No. 1 heading into fall practice, but C.J. Gable and the unheralded Hershel Dennis weren’t far behind. The oft-injured Dennis, who needs the NCAA to grant him a sixth year of eligibility, shocked everyone by flashing some of his old moves in the spring. Then there is Emmanuel Moody, who was the shiftiest of the tailbacks a year ago, and power-running Allen Bradford, as well as a trio of incoming freshmen led by Joe McKnight, considered the No. 1 high school recruit in the country from Louisiana. A terrific pass-catcher, McKnight will be utilized immediately as a receiver out of the backfield. Broderick Green and Marc Tyler are two more touted freshmen who will be interesting to watch. Much of the problem with the running game — the Trojans had only 48 yards rushing against Michigan and 55 yards vs. UCLA — was a result of injuries at fullback. Carroll is confident that will change with versatile redshirt freshman Stanley Havili taking over as the full-time starter, although the position still remains dangerously lacking in depth. Freshman Jordan Campbell looks like the possible backup, but other players also could be moved there.

Receivers 
Jarrett and Smith are both headed for the NFL, but USC won’t lack for talented wide receivers. Junior Patrick Turner, with 41 career receptions, moves in at Jarrett’s spot and, at 6'5" and 230 pounds, becomes the likely go-to guy on third downs. Sophomore Vidal Hazelton, at 6'3", seemed to win the other job in the spring, although redshirt freshman David Ausberry will get plenty of balls thrown his way, too. The new dimension will be added by sophomore Travon Patterson, a 5'11" flyer who should be a legitimate deep threat. Patterson, one of the fastest players on the team, was the star of the Trojans’ spring game. Further depth will be provided by Brad Walker, Jamere Holland and another of those highly regarded freshmen, Ronald Johnson. A trimmed-down Fred Davis, coming off a strong spring of his own, should be much more prominent at tight end.

2007 Schedule
S. 1	Idaho	W
S. 15	at Nebraska	W
S. 22	Washington State	W
S. 29	at Washington	W
O. 6	Stanford	W
O. 14	Arizona	W
O. 20	at Notre Dame	W
O. 27	at Oregon	W
N. 3	Oregon State	W
N. 10	at California	*
N. 22	at Arizona State	W
D. 1	UCLA	W
Games in bold represent swing games. W or L indicates a projected win or loss.

Offensive Linemen 
Two-time All-America tackle Sam Baker leads a group that figures to be quicker and more athletic. Ryan Kalil, the All-America center and leader of this unit, will be missed, but new additions Matt Spanos at center and Jeff Byers, a former National Prep Player of the Year, at guard should help. Experienced starters Chilo Rachal, at guard, and Drew Radovich, moving from guard to tackle, round out the group. Depth shouldn’t be a problem, with huge Thomas Herring showing vast improvement in the spring, and Nick Howell, Alatini Malu and Zack Heberer all good enough to start at most schools.

Defensive Linemen 
Nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, an All-American voted the top defensive lineman in the Pac-10 a year ago, leads a strong, athletic bunch that should provide a better, more consistent pass rush than the Trojans mustered last season. End Lawrence Jackson, a preseason All-American in 2006, had a rather disappointing junior year, although he did come on strong in the final few games. He could play as if he has something to prove this season. Steady Fili Moala will start at the other tackle, with Kyle Moore likely to begin as the starter at right end. The player to watch, however, is freshman Everson Griffen. “He’s a very, very exciting football player,” Carroll says.

Linebackers 
This is as talented a group as any in the country. The middle linebacker is Rey Maualuga, an All-America candidate who will be on the Butkus Award list. Maualuga is a raging junior with a Butkus-like mentality who is so strong and aggressive he can sometimes veer slightly out of control. Senior Keith Rivers, in his third year as a starter, is the solidifying factor and should have his best season yet at weak-side backer, while Brian Cushing, the defensive MVP in the Rose Bowl, moves from end to strong-side linebacker to replace Dallas Sartz. The reserves could start for most teams. Thomas Williams will see plenty of playing time behind Maualuga with Kaluka Maiava and Clay Matthews both solid backups on the outside. True freshman Chris Galippo could also sneak in some minutes.

Defensive Backs 
If depth was a problem here in the past, it’s not anymore. All four starters return, along with two others who have had starting experience. Sophomore free safety Taylor Mays received freshman All-America honors from several outlets. But he’s being pushed by junior Josh Pinkard, who was described by Carroll as “our best football player” before a knee injury in the opener against Arkansas sidelined him for the rest of the season. The strong safety is Kevin Ellison, who had an excellent sophomore season. At cornerback, Terrell Thomas and Cary Harris both started a year ago, with experienced Kevin Thomas, versatile Mozique McCurtis and gifted Shareece Wright also in the mix backing them up.

Specialists 
The tragic offseason death of placekicker Mario Danelo left a gaping hole to fill, but David Buehler had a good spring and will get first shot at the job. Greg Woidneck returns as the punter. Desmond Reed will return punts, with Patterson also available. Kickoff returns will be handled by Gable and Vincent Joseph, although freshmen McKnight and Johnson will get long looks as well.

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