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USC spring game 2018: Players and storylines to watch

By Charles Rahrig V

TEMPE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Cameron Smith (35) of the USC Trojans calls the audible during a college football game between the USC Trojans and the ASU Sun Devils on October 28, 2017, at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Cameron Smith (35) of the USC Trojans calls the audible during a college football game between the USC Trojans and the ASU Sun Devils on October 28, 2017, at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: USC Trojans tackle Toa Lobendahn (#50) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Nick Bosa (#97) during the Cotton Bowl Classic matchup between the USC Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 29, 2017, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Ohio State won the game 24-7. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: USC Trojans tackle Toa Lobendahn (#50) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Nick Bosa (#97) during the Cotton Bowl Classic matchup between the USC Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 29, 2017, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Ohio State won the game 24-7. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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.

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