Key USC Position Battles Midway Through Fall Camp

The Trojans are about two and a half weeks away from kicking off the 2023 college football season and fall camp is still full of intriguing and impactful position battles. Depth looks to finally be a strength for this USC program as the roster continues to improve, so backups will be counted on plenty during what looks like a tough 12-game schedule. Head coach Lincoln Riley said following Tuesday’s practice that there are more position battles at this point in fall camp than there were 12 months ago.

Riley said there are positions where the coaches really don’t know which direction things will go in terms of a starter. He added that there are spots where there isn’t much difference in the player running with the first team and the guy running with the third team.

There is healthy competition all over the field right now. Here are some of the spots to where we’ve got our attention tuned.

Left Guard

Gino Quinones began fall camp working with the first team at left guard. But Wyoming transfer Emmanuel Pregnon has been first up the past two times media has been able to watch the offensive line work. This is a spot where both players might be needed in order to make it through the entire season. USC needed to rely on backups at both left and right guard during the 2022 season.

Quinones has experience in the USC offense and started twice for the Trojans last season. But it’s clear that Pregnon’s size and ability to push people around in the run game has the attention of the coaches. If Pregnon can prove he’s consistent enough in his physical movements and understanding of the playbook, he might be in a position to hold onto that No. 1 spot heading into the season.

Quarterback Caleb Williams said recently that Pregnon has done well to come in and quickly pick up the offense.

Cornerback

As USC coaches take a look at Christian Roland-Wallace at nickel and the two safety positions, the cornerback spots are still up for grabs. Domani Jackson and Ceyair Wright started the spring game and might be slightly ahead at this point for the starting spots. But Jacobe Covington is consistently mentioned by coaches as someone who put together a great offseason and is coming on strong. On Tuesday, Jackson and Wright were on the field with the first team.

Last season, Mekhi Blackmon built a huge lead at the left cornerback spot and held it down all season. But the opposite position saw Covington eventually overtake Wright toward the end of the season. This year it doesn’t seem as though there is a Blackmon out there with a commanding lead at one spot. It’s likely all three of those corners, plus Roland-Wallace, will see time this season.

Defensive Line

Here is another spot where multiple players will have to contribute. There is a lot of versatility with just about everybody up front and the coaches continue to look at all of their options. Transfers Kyon Barrs and Bear Alexander are good guesses as to the starters for Game 1 at nose tackle and defensive tackle. But Alexander worked behind Barrs as the No. 2 nose during the opening drill of Tuesday’s practice. It was two returners, Stanley Ta’ufo’ou and Tyrone Taleni, at defensive tackle. What’s clear is that those four, plus De’jon Benton and Jack Sullivan, give the Trojans a true three-deep at both interior spots on the line for the first time in what feels like a decade.

Position coach Shaun Nua said there isn’t much anymore that separates defensive tackles from nose tackles, adding that his guys have to be able to play both spots. That could result in some interesting mixing and matching. But what it should really do it allow those two spots to be consistently fresh. The top of the depth chart is much improved. But it won’t be up to just two or three guys to carry the load anymore.

Defensive end becomes maybe the most interesting spot along the line. At this point, it looks like the two Solos — Solomon Byrd and Solomon Tuliaupupu — are battling there. Both have received praise from teammates for their play this fall. Byrd didn’t see the field during spring ball, but made some big plays for the Trojans last fall in his first season after coming over from Wyoming. He’s been locked and loaded this fall in his return to action.

Wide Receiver

Riley didn’t hesitate to say every wide receiver position is up for grabs right now. It’s tough to imagine Mario Williams and Tahj Washington not out there as the first two inside receivers. But Riley said Washington has missed a little time recently, allowing Raleek Brown and Zachariah Branch to take extended reps there. Those two young guys are going to play this season. How much is still to be determined.

On the outside, Dorian Singer and Brenden Rice look like the best bets as starters. But Michael Jackson III and Kyron Hudson will continue to push. Both have consistently made plays whenever they’ve been on the field, whether in practice or in games. And here come the rest of the freshmen, in Ja’Kobi Lane, Duce Robinson and Makai Lemon. Riley said all have been impressive this fall. Lane especially seems to be making plays and grabbing attention of late.

Inside Linebacker

Mason Cobb and Eric Gentry are the likely starters, but true freshman Tackett Curtis seems as though he’s going to push his way onto the field at some point this fall. Raesjon Davis and Shane Lee will factor in as well, but Curtis is really coming on after a strong first offseason.

Kickoff and Punt Returner

Riley said the team didn’t get into live special teams reps during the scrimmage. The Trojans continue to work plenty of options during practice.

Raleek Brown handled kickoffs last season and Michael Jackson III has experience returning punts. Dorian Singer, Makai Lemon, Zachariah Branch and Tahj Washington could be options at both. Domani Jackson and running back Quinten Joyner have worked at kickoff return.

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