Players to Watch
Matt Fink
As of now, Matt Fink is the only quarterback on the USC roster with any real experience on the field. It’s an incredibly limited sample size and the quarterback hasn’t seen much time at all, but he has more experience than the others.
The sophomore quarterback has thrown just nine passes thus far in his career but also ran the ball as well. He’s a dual-threat that can run as well as he can pass and that makes for an interesting look in Tee Martin’s offense.
Fink is going to have to battle with Jack Sears, Holden Thomas, Thomas Fitts and eventually J.T. Daniels for that starting spot. This is about as wide-open of a quarterback competition as there is at a major program and it is the story of spring for the Trojans.
Replacing Sam Darnold is going to be the toughest thing the Trojans have to do and Fink has some limited experience. Until Daniels is ready, Fink has to be considered the man to watch of the current crop of quarterbacks at this moment.
Michael Pittman Jr.
The Trojans are also going to have to replace some of the production they are losing at the wide receiver spot, with Deontay Burnett and Steven Mitchell Jr. moving on. Fortunately, they have some very talented players waiting in the wings.
Michael Pittman Jr. fits the mold of a dynamic USC skill player. The junior wide receiver is one of the most talented return men in the country and he’s evolving as a wide receiver for the Trojans as well.
Last year, Pittman Jr. had 404 receiving yards on 23 catches, to go along with two touchdowns. In the return game, he also had a major impact. He had a punt return for a touchdown last season and even helped himself on the other side of things by blocking a punt as well.
When you think of great USC skill players, especially wide receivers, you think of the major impact they have also made in the special teams department. This should be a breakout season for Pittman Jr. if all goes well.
Cameron Smith
The strength of the Trojans is going to be their defense this season. They have several returning starters and several star players that are going to make a huge impact in close games that go down to the wire.
Specifically, watch for the play of inside linebacker Cameron Smith. The senior inside linebacker is one of the superstars of the defense and is one of the most complete inside linebacker prospects in the nation.
Last year for the Trojans, Smith boasted an incredible 112 tackles, 11 of which ended up being for a loss as well. The Trojans have a great history of inside linebackers over the years and Smith has been the next to etch his name in stone as one of the better ones they have had.
Alongside John Houston Jr., the Trojans might have the best inside duo in all of college football. If people don’t know the names of these two already, they should. They’re the reason that the Trojans could very well end up having the best defense in the Pac-12.