2008 Scouting Reports

I will post the scouting comparisons of USC's 2008 opponents over the next couple of weeks. I'll start with the breakdown of our beloved Trojans. I picked Stafon Johnson as the starting tailback even though C.J. Gable has the most starting experience and Joe McKnight seems to be the odds on favorite. I also made tough calls at DT and WLB, listing Averell Spicer over Christian Toupu and Kaluka Maiava over Luthur Brown.

The last time I did this sort of thing was prior to the 2006 season. How do the 2006 and 2008 squads compare? The 2006 squad averaged 3.89-stars per starter while the 2008 squad averages 4.34-stars per starter! The 2006 squad averaged 4.59-starts the previous season per 1st team player while the 2008 squad averages 6.50-starts! Simply put, the Trojans shouldn't be using inexperience as an excuse this year.

2008 USC Scouting Report

PROBABLE STARTING LINE-UP INCLUDES 11 OF LAST YEAR’S 22 STARTERS:

SE # 1 Patrick Turner (6’5”, 220, SR, 10 starts, 5.0-star recruit)
LT # 71 Charles Brown (6’6”, 295, JR, 1 start, 3.5-star recruit)
LG # 53 Jeff Byers (6’4”, 285, SR, 13 starts, 5.0-star recruit)
C # 61 Kristofer O’Dowd (6’5”, 300, SO, 3 starts, 5.0-star recruit)
RG # 74 Zack Heberer (6’5”, 300, SO, 2 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
RT # 68 Butch Lewis (6’5”, 300, SO, 3 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
TE # 86 Anthony McCoy (6’5”, 255, JR, 0 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
FL # 7 Vidal Hazelton (6’2”, 210, JR, 9 starts, 5.0-star recruit)
QB # 6 Mark Sanchez (6’3”, 225, JR, 3 starts, 5.0-star recruit)
FB # 31 Stanley Havili (6’0”, 225, SO, 13 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
TB # 13 Stafon Johnson (5’11”, 215, JR, 0 starts, 5.0-star recruit)

DE # 93 Everson Griffen (6’3”, 265, SO, 2 starts, 5.0-star recruit)
DT # 75 Fili Moala (6’5”, 295, SR, 13 starts, 3.0-star recruit)
DT # 99 Averell Spicer (6’2”, 295, JR, 0 starts, 4.5-star recruit)
DE # 84 Kyle Moore (6’6”, 270, SR, 11 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
SLB # 10 Brian Cushing (6’3”, 255, SR, 8 starts, 4.5-star recruit)
MLB # 58 Rey Maualuga (6’2”, 260, SR, 12 starts, 5.0-star recruit)
WLB # 43 Kaluka Maiava (6’0”, 230, SR, 1 start, 4.0-star recruit)
CB # 7 Cary Harris (6’0”, 180, SR, 12 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
SS # 4 Kevin Ellison (6’1”, 230, SR, 13 starts, 3.0-star recruit)
FS # 2 Taylor Mays (6’3”, 230, JR, 13 starts, 5.0-star recruit)
CB # 24 Shareece Wright (6’0”, 180, JR, 1 start, 4.0-star recruit)

USC average stars per projected 2008 starter = 4.34 stars
USC average 2007 starts per projected 2008 starter = 6.50 starts

IMPACT RECRUITS: The Trojans pulled in another stellar recruiting class. It wasn’t rated quite as high nationally as we’ve become accustomed to over the past few years because it focused on linemen instead of skill players. The top rated recruits in this class are OL Matt Kalil, OL Tyron Smith, TE Blake Ayles and WR D.J. Shoemate. With the inexperience of the OL in 2008, the true frosh OL recruits such as Kalil, Smith, Khaled Holmes, Daniel Campbell and Matt Meyer (who participated in spring practice) will compete for playing time early. But the Trojans typically redshirt the majority of the linemen. That means that the true frosh most likely to see action early will be Ayles, CB T.J. Bryant and DE Nick Perry. Those three players will be competing at positions of limited depth and experience. The other highly touted recruits that will provide added depth in 2008 include WR Brice Butler, LB Unoa Kavienga and DT Armond Armstead.

SPRING ANSWERS (from ESPN.com): 1. Sanchez the man: As far as epic quarterback competitions, the touted showdown between Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain -- both former national prep players of the year -- didn't exactly go all "Ben-Hur." Sanchez seemed to have a huge head start from the beginning and never relinquished it, his significant experience running the Trojans offense last season when John David Booty was hurt giving him a decided edge. Of course, if Sanchez falters, Mustain will be there waiting -- unless the Arkansas transfer opts to hit the road again. 2. Trojans own a Firstary: It's hard to imagine any team owning a better secondary than the Trojans, with safeties Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison, both All-American candidates, and corners Cary Harris and Shareece Wright. This physical crew gave up only nine touchdown passes a year ago -- the second-best total in the conference was 17. 3. Linebacker U: Of course, the linebackers might be even better than the secondary. Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing are both leading Butkus Award candidates, while Luthur Brown or Kaluka Maiava will capably man the weakside linebacker spot. Also, senior Clay Matthews was impressive this spring manning the hybrid "Elephant" position, which allows him to either rush from an outside position or drop into coverage. Maualuga's backup, sophomore Chris Galippo, by the way, is phenomenal talent. It's hard to imagine him not seeing some playing time.

FALL QUESTIONS (from ESPN.com): 1. Trojans go hog hunting: Four new starters are needed on the offensive line -- including replacements for NFL first- and second-round draft picks. Guard Jeff Byers is the only true returning starter, but last year's talented crew was drubbed by injuries, so many of the names on the depth chart saw action in 2007. Leading that list is center Kristofer O'Dowd, who was surprisingly poised as a true freshman starting three games before going down with an injury. Sophomore Butch Lewis and Charles Brown both started games at tackle last year, as did sophomore Zack Heberer. Still, this will be a very young crew. 2. Who's ready for their close-up?: The offensive depth chart is laden with prep All-Americans, but who will become the go-to playmakers at tailback and receiver? Which receiver will make Sanchez a star: Patrick Turner, Vidal Hazelton, David Ausberry or newcomer Damian Williams? Who's the money tailback(s) among Joe McKnight, C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson, Allen Bradford or Broderick Green? There needs to be a pecking order. Someone needs to step up. 3. Championship or bust?: Does anyone really believe USC won't win an unprecedented seventh consecutive Pac-10 title? In fact, doesn't it seem like, despite welcoming back just 13 starters, the Trojans' season won't be successful without another national title? After all, it's going on four whole years since they won one. And, finally, doesn't it feel like the winner of the USC-Ohio State game on Sept. 13 instantly becomes a front-runner to play in the BCS title game?