Four USC Trojans among ESPN’s Top 50 Newcomers, and four more who could have made It

Four of the top 50 newcomers across college football will be suiting up for the USC Trojans this fall according to a list compiled by ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren. The list looks at incoming true freshmen as well as players who moved via the transfer portal this offseason.

USC will take the field against the top three players on the list this season. The No. 1 overall player is cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter of Colorado. Teammate and quarterback Shedeur Sanders is No. 3. Both followed head coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State to Boulder. Between them is new Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman, who joined the Fighting Irish after a successful career at Wake Forest.

But it’s the new Trojans we’re focused on here. Where did the new USC arrivals land on the list?

LB Mason Cobb – No. 8

The USC player to come in highest on the list was linebacker Mason Cobb, at No. 8.

Cobb is a good guess as to the transfer who will have the biggest impact on the USC defense. He’s already shown his leadership qualities as the defensive representative for USC at Pac-12 Media Day. Cobb is likely he guy who could most change the narrative when it comes to USC’s poor tackling on defense. USC was 106th in total yards allowed per game last season and 124th in yards allowed per play. Cobb recorded 96 tackles last season, a number that would have led the Trojans by a large margin.

WR Dorian Singer – No. 14

Dorian Singer was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2022 and brings a 1,000-yard receiving season with him from Arizona to USC. The Trojans need a No. 1 wide receiver to step up following Jordan Addison’s departure to the NFL. Singer brings a ton of talent and perhaps the best hand-eye coordination and ball skills in the conference. What will be interesting to watch is the split in terms of receptions logged by each of USC’s standout receivers. Addison caught just nine more passes than Tahj Washington last season, but those came in what basically amounted to four and a half fewer games. Had Addison been healthy all season, he would have significantly stretched that team lead.

Will the split be more even this season without a clearcut first-round NFL pick on the roster? If Singer can provide the same security blanket that Addison did for quarterback Caleb Williams, he’ll be a huge addition to the offense.

DL Bear Alexander – No. 25

If defensive lineman Bear Alexander provides the kind of impact many are hoping he does along the defensive front, No. 25 might wind up seeming extremely low. He has the ability to be a top-10 impact player this season. But he’ll need to be an absolute standout for the Trojans. It’ll be far more difficult to be the expected standout of a USC defensive line as opposed to a piece of a dominant front at Georgia. Alexander’s explosiveness has been lauded by players and coaches since his arrival at USC this summer. Is he up to the task of being one of the leaders of a defensive turnaround for the Trojans?

WR Zachariah Branch – No. 27

Wide receiver Zachariah Branch is the No. 2 true freshman on the list, one spot behind safety Caleb Downs of Alabama. Branch took absolutely no time to start making an impact as a spring enrollee and he is virtually guaranteed to make an impact this season. Just how much of an impact remains to be seen. But it won’t be surprising if he’s a consistent presence on the field very early in the season. USC brings back two talented, veteran slot receivers in Mario Williams and Washington. But Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams are going to find ways to get Branch touches. He’s electric with the ball and his physical presence for a true freshman is going to surprise some opponents.

Four Other USC Trojans Who Could Have Made the List

With a list of just 50 players, it’s tough to ask for more than four Trojans to make the list. USC tied with Colorado for the most selections. Florida State, LSU, Miami and Michigan each had three. But there are a few other Trojans who could have been on this list. And, far more importantly, could find themselves on a postseason list of the top newcomers.

DL/RE Anthony Lucas

As much attention as Cobb has gotten since his arrival, Anthony Lucas has been there step-for-step. No defensive player has been mentioned more for the disruption they’ve caused to the offense as Lucas. He spent time along the defensive line during the spring but looks to be working extensively at rush end. That’s a position the USC coaches expect more from, so Lucas could have a huge role to play for the Trojans. If he produces the way some of the best rush ends in this system have previously, he’ll be regarded as one of the nation’s most impactful transfers.

RB MarShawn Lloyd

USC players and coaches have been upbeat about the running game this fall. The make-you-miss ability and explosiveness Lloyd brings to the position should help the Trojans generate more big plays on the ground this season. Lloyd is still battling with Austin Jones for a spot at the top of the depth chart. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see them share the field at times. And it won’t be surprising to see Lloyd put together a huge season.

LB Tackett Curtis

True freshman Tackett Curtis is both turning and taking heads this fall. He’s been praised repeatedly for the jump he took since the spring. It’s a lot to ask a true freshman to play significant minutes at inside linebacker, but Curtis looks to have the ability and mindset to handle it. USC brings back veterans in Eric Gentry, Shane Lee and Raesjon Davis to go with Cobb. But it sure sounds like Curtis is on his way to real playing time as a true freshman.

OG Jarrett Kingston

USC’s offensive line was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award in 2022. If the Trojans find themselves there again, Jarrett Kingston will likely be a big part of it. The Washington State transfer came over and immediately settled in at right guard. Riley called him maybe the strongest offensive lineman and he’s been a standout pass blocker throughout his career. If the Trojans can be strong up the middle, it should give Williams a chance to get plenty done in and out of the pocket. And Kingston should also be a weapon on the move in the running game.

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