The 2016 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as part of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference. They were led by head coach Clay Helton in his first full season after replacing Steve Sarkisian in the sixth game of the 2015 season. They finished the season 10–3, 7–2 in Pac-12 play to finish in second place in the South Division. They were invited to the Rose Bowl where they defeated Big Ten Conference champion Penn State.

Personnel

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atUSC Alma mater Before USC Clay Helton Head coach 6 Houston (1994) Memphis – Oc coordinator (2009)John Baxter Special teams coordinator / tight ends coach 5 Iowa State (1987) Michigan – St coordinator (2015) Ronnie Bradford Secondary coach 1 Colorado (1995) LA Tech – DB Coach / st coordinator (2015) Neil Callaway Offensive line coach 1 Alabama (1977) Western Kentucky – OL Coach (2015)Tyson Helton Quarterbacks coach / pass game coordinator 1 Houston (1999) Western Kentucky – QB Coach / offensive coordinator (2015) Tee Martin Offensive coordinator / wide receivers coach 5 Tennessee (2000) Kentucky – WR Coach (2011)Johnny Nansen Outside linebackers coach / recruiting coordinator / assistant head coach 3 Washington State (1997) Washington – St coordinator / rb coach (2013)Clancy PendergastDefensive coordinator / inside linebackers coach 3 Arizona (1990) San Francisco 49ers – LB Coach (2015)Tommie RobinsonTailbacks Coach / run game coordinator 2 Troy (1985) Texas – TB Coach (2015)Kenechi UdezeDefensive line coach 2 USC (2003) Pittsburgh – Assistant strength and conditioning coach (2014) Ivan Lewis Strength and conditioning 3 San Diego (2003) Washington – Strength and conditioning (2013)

Roster 2016 USC Trojans Football rosterQuarterback 10 Jalen Greene – Sophomore (6′1, 195) (+WR) 14 Sam Darnold – Freshman (6′4, 215) 15 Thomas Fitts – Freshman (6′2, 195) 16 Holden Thomas – Freshman (6′5, 195) 19 Matt Fink – Freshman (6′3, 180) *

Tailback 16 Dominic Davis – Sophomore (5′10, 175) (+WR) 22 Justin Davis – Senior (6′1, 195) 25 Ronald Jones II – Sophomore (6′0, 185) 26 James Toland IV – Junior (5′11, 185) 28 Aca'Cedric Ware – Sophomore (6′0, 200) 29 Vavae Malepeai – Freshman (6′0, 190) *

Fullback 38 Chris Edmondson – Freshman (5′11, 210) * 47 Reuben Peters – Sophomore (6′0, 225)

Wide receiver  1 Darreus Rogers – Senior (6′1, 215)  6 Michael Pittman Jr. – Freshman (6′4, 210) *  7 Steven Mitchell – Junior (5′10, 190)  9 JuJu Smith-Schuster – Junior (6′2, 215) 13 De'Quan Hampton – Senior (6′4, 220) 15 Isaac Whitney – Senior (6′3, 205) 17 Josh Imatorbhebhe – Freshman (6′2, 210) * 21 Tyler Vaughns – Freshman (6′2, 180) * 23 Velus Jones Jr. – Freshman (6′0, 185) * 41 Milo Stewart – Junior (5′9, 170) 44 Jake Russell – Freshman (5′11, 170) 80 Deontay Burnett – Sophomore (6′0, 170) 81 Trevon Sidney – Freshman (5′11, 170) * 85 Jackson Boyer – Junior (6′3, 195)

Tight end 48 Taylor McNamara – Senior (6′5, 245) 82 Tyler Petite – Sophomore (6′6, 235) 86 Cary Angeline – Freshman (6′6, 230) * 87 Alec Hursh – Sophomore (6′3, 210) 88 Daniel Imatorbhebhe – Freshman (6′4, 225) 

Offensive lineman 50 Toa Lobendahn – C – Junior (6′3, 290) 51 Damien Mama – OG – Junior (6′4, 355) 56 Jordan Austin – OG-OT – Sophomore (6′5, 280) 60 Viane Talamaivao – OG – Junior (6′2, 320) 62 Khaliel Rodgers – Junior (6′3, 305) (+DT) 63 Roy Hemsley – OG-OT – Freshman (6′5, 315) 65 Frank Martin II – OG-OT – Freshman (6′5, 310) * 66 Cole Smith – C – Freshman (6′4, 280) 68 Jordan Simmons – OG – Senior (6′4, 325) 70 Chuma Edoga – OT – Sophomore (6′4, 280) 72 Chad Wheeler – OT – Senior (6′7, 280) 73 Zach Banner – OT – Senior (6′9, 360) 74 Nico Falah – C-OT – Junior (6′4, 285) 76 Clayton Johnston – OT – Freshman (6′6, 290) 77 Chris Brown – OG – Sophomore (6′5, 295) 78 Nathan Smith – OT – Freshman (6′6, 265) *

Defensive tackle 44 Malik Dorton – Sophomore (6′2, 275) 53 Kevin Scott – Freshman (6′5, 300) 79 Connor Rossow – Freshman (6′2, 305) 92 Jacob Daniel – Sophomore (6′4, 325) 93 Liam Jimmons – Freshman (6′5, 265) * 94 Rasheem Green – Sophomore (6′5, 285) 95 Kenny Bigelow Jr. – Junior (6′3, 290) 96 Stevie Tu'ikolovatu – Senior (6′1, 320) 98 Josh Fatu – Junior (6′3, 290)

Defensive end 45 Porter Gustin – Sophomore (6′5, 250) 49 Matt Bayle – Freshman (6′2, 215) 89 Christian Rector – Freshman (6′5, 260) 90 Connor Murphy – Freshman (6′7, 255) * 99 Oluwole Betiku Jr. – Freshman (6′3, 250) *

Placekicker 39 Matt Boermeester – Junior (6′0, 180) 46 Wyatt Schmidt – Sophomore (6′3, 215) 49 Michael Brown – Freshman (6′2, 195) (Blueshirt)

Punter 36 Chris Tilbey – Sophomore (6′5, 220) 38 Reid Budrovich – Sophomore (5′11, 185) 47 James Bermingham Jr. – Sophomore (6′4, 185) Linebacker 10 John Houston Jr. – Freshman (6′3, 220) 18 Quinton Powell – Senior (6′2, 205) 19 Michael Hutchings – Senior (6′1, 225) 34 Olajuwon Tucker – Junior (6′3, 235) 35 Cameron Smith – Sophomore (6′2, 245) 42 Uchenna Nwosu – Junior (6′3, 210) 50 Grant Moore – Sophomore (6′0, 220) 51 Joel Foy – Junior (6′1, 225) 52 Christian Herrera – Junior (6′1, 210) 56 Jordan Iosefa – Freshman (6′2, 215) *

Cornerback  1 Jack Jones – Freshman (5′11, 170) *  2 Adoree' Jackson – Junior (5′11, 185) (+WR & RET)  8 Iman Marshall – Sophomore (6′2, 200) 14 Isaiah Langley – Sophomore (6′0, 165) 17 Keyshawn Pie Young – Freshman (5′11, 175) 23 Jonathan Lockett – Junior (5′11, 180) 27 Ajene Harris – Sophomore (5′11, 185) (+WR) 29 Kevin Carrasco – Junior (6′0, 185) 34 Yoofi Quansah – Junior (5′8, 165) 38 Jalen Jones – Sophomore (5′8, 155)

Safety  4 Chris Hawkins – Junior (5′11, 190)  7 Marvell Tell – Sophomore (6′2, 190) 21 Jamel Cook – Freshman (6′3, 185) * 22 Leon McQuay III – Senior (6′1, 190) 24 John Plattenburg – Junior (5′11, 185) 26 Davonte Nunnery – Sophomore (5′10, 205) 28 C.J. Pollard – Freshman (6′1, 185) * 30 Ykili Ross – Freshman (6′2, 185) (+CB) 31 Richard Hagestad – Freshman (6′1, 205) 37 Matt Lopes – Junior (5′11, 185) 41 Deion Hart – Senior (6′0, 195)

Long snappers 61 Jake Olson – Freshman (6′4, 195) 92 Zach Smith – Senior (6′1, 220) : 2016 USC Trojans Football Commits (January 24, 2016)

Returning starters

USC returns 32 starters in 2016, including 17 on offense, 13 on defense, and two on special teams.

Key departures include Cody Kessler (QB – 14 games), Tre Madden (TB – 6 games), Jahleel Pinner (FB – 4 games), Max Tuerk (C – 5 games), Antwaun Woods (NT – 13 games), Delvon Simmons (DT – 14 games), Greg Townsend Jr. (DE – 13 games), Claude Pelon (DE – 2 games), Su'a Cravens (LB – 14 games), Scott Felix (LB – 10 games), Anthony Sarao (LB – 13 games), Lamar Dawson (LB – 1 game), Kevon Seymour (CB – 4 games), Alex Wood (K – 13 games), Kris Albarado (P – 14 games).

Other departures include Soma Vainuku (FB), Connor Spears (TE).

Offense (17) Player Class Position Games started Justin Davis Senior Tailback 8 games JuJu Smith-Schuster Junior Wide receiver 14 games Darreus Rogers Senior Wide receiver 11 games Steven Mitchell Junior Wide receiver 6 games Jalen Greene Sophomore Wide receiver 3 games Isaac Whitney Senior Wide receiver 1 game Taylor McNamara Senior Tight end 14 games Tyler Petite Sophomore Tight end 2 games Zach Banner Senior Offensive tackle 13 games Chad Wheeler Senior Offensive tackle 13 games Damien Mama Junior Offensive guard 13 games Toa Lobendahn Junior Offensive line 7 games Viane Talamaivao Junior Offensive guard 9 games Khaliel Rodgers Junior Center 6 games Chuma Edoga Sophomore Offensive tackle 2 games Chris Brown Sophomore Offensive line 2 games Nico Falah Junior Offensive line 1 games

Defense (13) Player Class Position Games started Noah Jefferson Sophomore Defensive tackle 1 game Cameron Smith Sophomore Inside linebacker 9 games Olajuwon Tucker Sophomore Inside linebacker 3 games Porter Gustin Sophomore Outside Linebacker 2 games Michael Hutchings Senior Inside linebacker 1 game Uchenna Nwosu Junior Linebacker 1 game Adoree' Jackson Junior Cornerback Wide receiver 13 games 1 game Iman Marshall Sophomore Cornerback 12 games Jonathan Lockett Junior Cornerback 2 games Chris Hawkins Junior Safety 14 games John Plattenburg Junior Safety 8 games Leon McQuay III Senior Safety 2 games Marvell Tell Sophomore Safety 2 games

Special teams (2) Player Class Position Games started Matt Boermeester Junior Kicker 14 games Zach Smith Senior Long snapper 14 games

Depth chart

Official Depth Chart 2016

True Freshman Double Position : *

Recruiting class

Scholarship distribution chart

Position Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior 2017 signed QB 3 (1) Matt Fink – – TB 6 (1) Vavae Malepeai Dominic Davis Ronald Jones II Aca'Cedric Ware Justin Davis FB 1 – – – WR 11 (1) Josh Imatorbhebhe Velus Jones Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Trevon Sidney Tyler Vaughns Deontay Burnett Juju Smith-Schuster De'Quan Hampton Darreus Rogers TE 4 (1) Cary Angeline Tyler Petite – OL 16 (3) Frank Martin II Nathan Smith Chuma Edoga Toa Lobendahn Damien Mama Viane Talamaivao DT 8 Liam Jimmons Jacob Daniel Rasheem Green Josh Fatu DE / OLB 4 (3) Oluwole Betiku Jr. Connor Murphy Porter Gustin – – ILB 7 (1) Jordan Iosefa Cameron Smith Uchenna Nwosu Olajuwon Tucker Michael Hutchings Quinton Powell CB 7 Jack Jones Keyshawn Pie Young Isaiah Langley Iman Marshall Adoree' Jackson Jonathan Lockett – S 8 (1) Jamel Cook C.J. Pollard Marvell Tell John Plattenburg Leon McQuay SP 4 (1) Zach Smith ATH (3) x x x x

/ / * : Former walk-on

– 85 scholarships permitted, 79 currently allotted to players. (Note: Max Browne, E.J. Price, Noah Jefferson, Jabari Ruffin & Scott Felix is still "counts" for 2016, bringing the total to 84).

– .

– USC can sign 25 players in the class of 2017.

2016 NFL draft

Round Pick Player Position NFL team 2 53 (22) Su'a Cravens (Junior) Outside linebacker / Safety Washington Redskins 3 66 (3) Max Tuerk Center San Diego Chargers 3 93 (30) Cody Kessler Quarterback Cleveland Browns 6 218 (43) Kevon Seymour Cornerback Buffalo Bills UFA – Claude Pelon Defensive tackle New York Jets UFA – Tre Madden Tailback Seattle Seahawks UFA – Soma Vainuku Fullback Houston Texans UFA – Greg Townsend Jr. Defensive end Oakland Raiders UFA – Delvon Simmons Defensive tackle Indianapolis Colts UFA – Antwaun Woods Defensive tackle Tennessee Titans UFA – Anthony Sarao Linebacker Indianapolis Colts UFA – Jahleel Pinner Fullback – UFA – Lamar Dawson Linebacker –

Schedule

Game summaries

Alabama

(Q1, 12:33) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 47 yard Field Goal – USC 3–0 (Q2, 7:54) ALA – #13 ArDarius Stewart 39 yard pass from #2 Jalen Hurts (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 7–3 (Q2, 3:30) ALA – #99 Adam Griffith 29 yard Field Goal – ALA 10–3 (Q2, 2:48) ALA – #26 Marlon Humphrey 18 yard interception return (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 17–3 (Q3, 13:53) ALA – #13 ArDarius Stewart 71 yard pass from #2 Jalen Hurts (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 24–3 (Q3, 11:01) ALA – #2 Jalen Hurts 7 yard run, (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 31–3 (Q3, 6:00) ALA – #2 Jalen Hurts 6 yard run, (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 38–3 (Q3, 2:38) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 41 yard Field Goal – ALA 38–6 (Q4, 13:16) ALA – #9 Bo Scarbrough 6 yard run, (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 45–6 (Q4, 9:34) ALA – #14 Gehrig Dieter 45 yard pass from #8 Blake Barnett (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 52–6

Utah State

(Q1, 11:55) USC – #9 JuJu Smith-Schuster 3 yard pass from #4 Max Browne, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 7–0 (Q2, 8:08) USC – #80 Deontay Burnett 13 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 14–0 (Q2, 0:24) USC – #7 Steven Mitchell 2 yard pass from #4 Max Browne, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 21–0 (Q3, 6:43) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 20 yard Field Goal – USC 24–0 (Q3, 4:06) USC – #2 Adoree' Jackson 77 yard punt return (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 31–0 (Q3, 0:01) UTS – #83 Wyatt Houston 6 yard pass from #2 Kent Myers, (#63 Brock Warren kick) – USC 31–7