Ranking the Top 25 USC Trojans: Nos. 5-1

We’re closing in on the start of fall camp for the 2023 USC Trojans. Pac-12 media day is set for July 21 and the Trojans will take to Howard Jones/Brian Kennedy Fields several days later. Here, we’re ranking the top 25 USC Trojans heading into the 2023 college football season.

This ranking mixes in a little bit of everything. We’re considering overall talent, production, projection, importance to the position group and importance to the roster overall. It’s the first time in what feels like a while that the group of top 25 players listed doesn’t come close to including all the players who will likely make major contributions this fall. That’s a list that could pretty easily go 40 deep.

If you missed the first part of the countdown, here are the previous four entries:

Nos. 25-21
Nos. 20-16
Nos. 15-11
Nos. 10-6

No. 5 DL Bear Alexander

Georgia defensive lineman Bear Alexander (Perry McIntyre/UGA Sports Communications)

There wasn’t a transfer in the second window this offseason more impactful than Bear Alexander coming to USC from Georgia. He’s a major talent at a position of need and is coming off winning a national championship. Alexander has just nine total tackles to his name at this level. But anybody good enough to grab playing time along that Bulldogs’ defensive line as a true freshman is someone to expect plenty of as a sophomore. He finished the season on a major high note with two tackles for loss, including a sack, against TCU in the national championship game.

USC’s depth along the defensive line was much improved this spring. Alexander has a chance to make it a strength for the Trojans. After committing to the Trojans, he spoke about his positional versatility and USC’s need to replace the production of Tuli Tuipulotu up front at defensive end. It’ll be interesting to see how he’s utilized by the Trojans this season. That’s a big body who should become a presence against the run and give the Trojans some pass rush as well. There probably isn’t a defensive player on this roster surrounded by more intrigue heading into fall camp than Alexander.

No. 4 OC Justin Dedich

USC Trojans center Justin Dedich (#57) prepares for the snap during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl game between the USC Trojans and Tulane Green Wave on January 02, 2023 (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Justin Dedich might be the key to the USC offensive line this season as he moves from right guard to center. He put together a strong 2022 season despite battling injury for a good chunk of the year. He comes into this season as one of the top returning interior linemen in the country.

Dedich is part of a very veteran group up front and should be a big part of a successful offense. Last season, Dedich was there as an obvious backup to Brett Neilon at center. He’d performed there before and the concern about going to the No. 2 there was small. No such backup exists this season. Andrew Milek worked at center previously but was at guard this spring. Cooper Lovelace and Jonah Monheim work on snapping and could be called upon in an emergency. But keeping Dedich healthy and on the field will be critical this season.

He and Jarrett Kingston are both strong pass blockers, which will be big in front of Caleb Williams. We saw last season how good Williams is at sensing and avoiding pressure from the edge. If Dedich can keep things clean up the middle, Williams should have plenty of good pockets from which to work.

No. 3 S Calen Bullock

USC safety Calen Bullock returns an interception for a touchdown against Rice (Anthony Scott/acscottphotography)

Calen Bullock is the nation’s best eraser as a deep safety. There likely isn’t a better safety in the country in terms of ability to cover ground and make plays on the football. The tackling from last season needs to improve, but the weight Bullock added this offseason should help there.

And if Bullock’s primary responsibility is to defend the pass, he’s literally got that covered. He finished the 2022 season with five interceptions, five pass deflections and 48 tackles.

Bullock might be the defensive player who benefits the most from what should be a much-improved defensive front for the Trojans. If that group of big guys can get quick and consistent pressure on the quarterback, Bullock’s elite ability to read a pass, get a jump and cover ground could result in him pushing for the national lead in interceptions this season. He’s seen heading into the season as a major playmaker and potential first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Bullock has to be a major part of the Trojans’ big step forward on defense in 2023.

No. 2 LB Mason Cobb

USC linebacker Mason Cobb during a Trojans’ spring ball practice (Erik McKinney/WeAreSC)

Linebacker Mason Cobb was an absolute difference-maker in his first season as a fulltime starter at Oklahoma State in 2022. He finished the year as a Second-Team All-Big-12 selection after posting 96 tackles with an interception and forced fumble.

What really stands out about Cobb is that his best traits are what USC badly needs from its inside linebackers. Cobb recorded 13 tackles for loss in 2022 and was Oklahoma State’s best run-stopper and pass rusher. For a USC defense that needs its players to create havoc and make plays behind the line of scrimmage, Cobb could be a star. Via PFF, he’s credited with 22 pressures, 12 quarterback hurries and an 86.9 pass-rush grade that would have led the 2022 Trojans by a wide margin. He was also among the nation’s best when it came to stopping the run. ESPN’s Bill Connelly credited Cobb with 26 run stops last season, one of the top numbers in the country. PFF has Cobb with 51 “stops,” which is a tackle they consider resulting in a “failure” for the offense. Shane Lee led USC with 30 stops last year. The No. 2 player for Oklahoma State had 39.

The new defensive linemen will have a major impact this season. But Cobb will be one of the most impactful players when it comes to changing the narrative on that side of the ball at USC.

No. 1 QB Caleb Williams

Tom Pennington / Staff PhotoG/Getty

Quarterback Caleb Williams is the best player in college football. His spot at No. 1 on this list needs no further explanation. The Trojans can still win some games if he’s sidelined for some reason. But USC isn’t a national championship contender without him. He’s special and could cement himself as the best USC quarterback of all time in just two seasons.

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