Where the USC offense stands heading into the 2021 season

The long offseason is officially over. It’s game week and the USC Trojans kick off their 2021 season this Saturday against San Jose State. Here’s a position-by-position look at the USC offense as it readies for the fall schedule. Many questions have been answered, though some intriguing ones remain.

Quarterback

Kedon Slovis looked good during camp. Really good. The idea of a bounce back season after some up-and-down performances last year appears to be a guarantee. There have been picture-perfect throws in every practice and interceptions have not been a recurring issue. The connection with Drake London is as strong as ever and those bonds with other receivers appear to be strengthening as the season creeps closer.

True freshman Jaxson Dart is the No. 2 quarterback. That was the biggest question at the position heading into the fall. Miller Moss is No. 3 and now Dart is just a snap away from being called upon this season. Dart is going to be a fun one to watch whenever his time comes, but for now, keeping Slovis upright and on the field is USC’s best chance for a big year.

There are no questions here this week ahead of the season opener. It’s tough to imagine someone on the USC roster wanting to get this season going more than Slovis.

Running back

Keaontay Ingram looks like the potential starter and has so since his first couple touches of spring ball. The Texas transfer brings a sturdy, 6-foot, 215-pound frame with tremendous athleticism to the position. He’s a weapon in the passing game and he’s special with the ball in his hands. He has the ability to make people miss or run them over. He suffered an ankle injury and missed most of camp, but returned last week and picked up where he left off. He’ll be a fun new addition for USC fans to watch this season.

The No. 2 running back spot is one of the more intriguing decisions coaches will need to make heading into the season. Vavae Malepeai returns and was named a captain for the 2021 season. That would seemingly make him an easy choice for a featured role where position coach Mike Jinks is looking for a one-two punch at the top of the depth chart.

But the addition of TCU transfer Darwin Barlow might make this an interesting call. Barlow, too, missed most of fall camp with an injury (hamstring), but when he’s been healthy and active, he’s been electric. He might not have an elite characteristic, but he is so good at so many things. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, he packs a punch with a solid physique and he has plenty of speed. He’s a very talented all-around back, but it might have been telling when Helton said last week that there’s still some improvement that could come in the way of pass blocking and knowing all those assignments. That area is a point of emphasis in this offense and getting coaches completely comfortable with that ability is a good way to see the field.

Jinks has said he wants to feed two backs this season. The Trojans have struggled to develop a running game rhythm when the rotation goes deeper than that, but limiting things to a mostly a top two will leave some talent on the bench.

True freshman Brandon Campbell will probably need to wait his turn, but he and Kenan Christon would likely handle themselves just fine if they were called upon for touches this season.

Wide receiver

Cornerbacks coach Donte Williams called Drake London the Biletnikoff Award winner during fall camp. London was that good. His performance this season might be the most sure thing heading into Saturday’s season opener.

What exists besides London at the position is full of potential, but far from proven.

Gary Bryant had an opportunity to step into the No. 2 role this fall but a hamstring injury limited the impact he could make. Bryant will have a major impact this season. If he’s fully healthy, that could start Saturday.

The guy to watch for USC fans is Tahj Washington, a transfer from Memphis. When he’s locked in, he is every bit the gamebreaker the Trojans need on offense to complement London. He brings speed and wiggle to the position that the Trojans haven’t had in years and can stretch the field vertically and horizontally.

USC fans should also get used to hearing the names Michael Jackson III and Joseph Manjack IV. The true freshmen are going to play this season, beginning productive careers in cardinal and gold.

The depth at the position continues with Kyle Ford, who had a strong fall showing after returning to health from a second ACL injury. Colorado transfer K.D. Nixon and John Jackson III provide USC with veterans who have each had big days on the practice field this fall. And true freshman Kyron Ware-Hudson is just now fully healthy, but is another talent on the outside.

Who steps up when it matters and can the freshmen handle the spotlight? London is a sure thing. Finding several reliable options to go with him could make the USC passing game easily the best in the conference.

Tight end

Here’s a sneaky possibility as the position that could tip the scales for the USC offense. The Trojans need more out of this position than they’ve gotten the past two (or more) years. The talent is there. Erik Krommenhoek, Josh Falo and Jude Wolfe return, and freshmen Michael Trigg is going to do something spectacular at some point this season. Malcolm Epps, the 6-foot-6, 245-pound transfer from Texas, will have a chance to make an impact as well, once he fully returns from a turf toe injury.

This group gives the USC coaches the opportunity to get creative. Players here have the ability to flex out wide, play as an H-back or align next to the tackle. USC can go with two or even three tight ends and still threaten the passing game.

What has to improve dramatically is the tight ends’ presence in the running game. The offensive line bears the brunt of the criticism when things don’t go well on the ground, but a boost from the tight ends would go a long way. That will be one of the key things to watch against San Jose State. If the tight ends are able to get involved, even without the ball in their hands, it would mean good things for the USC offense.

Krommenhoek is reliable and Wolfe is going to play a role. Trigg is a wild card for the USC offense. He’ll get as much as he can handle as he develops in the offense because the talent there is undeniable.

Offensive line

Here it is. This is the position group that will have the most eyes on it when USC takes the field Saturday.

The depth chart won’t be released until Friday, but Courtland Ford is virtually guaranteed to be the starting left tackle when USC takes the field. Replacing Alijah Vera-Tucker means Ford has enormous shoes to fill, but he’s been a steady presence out there. This doesn’t seem like it will be too much for the redshirt freshman.

The interior of the line will remain the same as last season, with Andrew Vorhees at left guard, Brett Neilon and center and Liam Jimmons at right guard. Helton said the right tackle position was the toughest position to name a starter for this USC offense. The expectation is that redshirt freshman Jonah Monheim could get the nod there. He was a standout during the spring and followed that up with a strong fall camp. Position coach Clay McGuire spoke highly of his Football IQ and his ability in the run game.

If Monheim is indeed the starter, it would give the Trojans a pair of veteran backups in Jalen McKenzie and Justin Dedich, who could play any of the five spots on the line. Liam Douglass would be available at guard and Andrew Milek has worked exclusively as the second-team center.

The USC players and coaches need more from the offensive line than it delivered last season. There is a healthy dose of optimism regarding the unit and the fall camp it delivered, but this is a group that will need to go prove it on the field. The pieces on the perimeter are capable. But the USC offense will go as far as this group up front can take it.