2017 USC Trojans football team

The 2017 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as members of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Clay Helton. They finished the season 11–3, 8–1 in Pac-12 play to be champions of the South Division. They represented the South Division in the Pac-12 Championship Game where they defeated Stanford to become Pac-12 Champions. They were invited to play in the Cotton Bowl where they were soundly defeated at the hands of Ohio State, 24–7.

Personnel

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atUSC Alma mater Before USC Clay Helton Head coach 7 Houston (1994) Memphis – offensive coordinator (2009) John Baxter Special teams coordinator, tight ends coach 6 Iowa State (1987) Michigan – special teams (2015) Ronnie Bradford Secondary coach 2 Colorado (1995) LA Tech – defensive backs, special teams (2015) Neil Callaway Offensive line coach 2 Alabama (1977) Western Kentucky – offensive line (2015)Tyson Helton Quarterbacks coach, pass game coordinator 2 Houston (1999) Western Kentucky – quarterbacks, offensive coordinator (2015) Tee Martin Offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach 6 Tennessee (2000) Kentucky – wide receivers (2011)Deland McCulloughTailbacks coach, run game coordinator 1 Miami (OH) (1995) Indiana – tailbacks (2016)Johnny Nansen Linebackers coach, recruiting coordinator, assistant head coach 4 Washington State (1997) Washington – special teams, running backs (2013)Clancy PendergastDefensive coordinator 4 Arizona (1990) San Francisco 49ers – linebackers (2015)Kenechi UdezeDefensive line coach 3 USC (2003) Pittsburgh – asst. strength & conditioning (2014) Ivan Lewis Strength and conditioning 4 San Diego (2003) Washington – strength & conditioning (2013) Brett Arce Defensive assistant (DB) 2 Stony Brook (2012) Stony Brook – asst. tight ends (2015) Austin Clark Defensive assistant (DL) 2 California (2014) California – recruiting assistant (2015) Prentice Gill Offensive assistant (WR) 2 Old Dominion (2012) San Jose State – graduate assistant (DB) (2015) Dane Stevens Offensive assistant (OL) 3 USC (2016) USC - student assistant coach (2016) Bryan Ellis Offensive analyst 1 UAB (2011) Western Kentucky – Wide receivers coach (2015)

Roster 2017 USC Trojans Football rosterQuarterback 13 Jack Sears – Freshman (6′3, 195) 14 Sam Darnold – Sophomore (6′4, 225) 15 Thomas Fitts – Sophomore (6′2, 195) 16 Holden Thomas – Freshman (6′5, 195) 19 Matt Fink – Freshman (6′3, 195)

Tailback  7 Stephen Carr – Freshman (6′0, 210) 25 Ronald Jones II – Junior (6′1, 195) 26 James Toland IV – Senior (5′11, 195) 28 Aca'Cedric Ware – Junior (6′0, 195) 29 Vavae Malepeai – Freshman (6′0, 190) 30 Corbin Jountti – Senior (6′0, 205) 37 Ben Easington – Freshman (5′10, 205) 38 Chris Edmondson – Freshman (5′11, 210)

Fullback 47 Reuben Peters – Junior (6′0, 225)

Wide receiver  1 Joseph Lewis IV – Freshman (6′2, 205)  4 Steven Mitchell– Senior (5′10, 190)  6 Michael Pittman Jr. – Sophomore (6′4, 210)  9 Randal Grimes – Freshman (6′4, 205) 10 Jalen Greene – Junior (6′1, 200) (+QB) 15 Keyshawn 'Pie' Young – Sophomore (5′11, 175) (+CB) 17 Josh Imatorbhebhe – Freshman (6′2, 210) 21 Tyler Vaughns – Freshman (6′2, 180) 23 Velus Jones Jr. – Freshman (6′0, 185) 24 Jake Russell – Sophomore (5′11, 170) 36 Jack Webster – Freshman (6′0, 185) 41 Milo Stewart – Senior (5′9, 170) 80 Deontay Burnett – Junior (6′0, 170) 81 Trevon Sidney – Freshman (5′11, 170) 85 Jackson Boyer – Senior (6′3, 185) 87 Matt Nyman – Freshman (6′2, 185)

Tight end 82 Tyler Petite – Junior (6′5, 235) 83 Josh Falo – Freshman (6′6, 235) 84 Erik Krommenhoek – Freshman (6′5, 245) 87 Alec Hursh – Junior (6′3, 210) 88 Daniel Imatorbhebhe – Sophomore (6′4, 240) 89 Austin Applebee – Junior (6′6, 240) 

Offensive Lineman 50 Toa Lobendahn – OT – Junior (6′3, 295) 52 Jacob Daniel – OG – Junior (6′4, 310) 54 Jalen McKenzie – OG – Freshman (6′5, 307) 56 Jordan Austin – OG-OT – Junior (6′5, 300) 60 Viane Talamaivao – OG – Senior (6′2, 315) 62 Brett Neilon – C – Freshman (6′2, 295) 63 Roy Hemsley – OG-OT – Sophomore (6′5, 310) 64 Richie Wenzel – C – Junior (6′3, 250) 65 Frank Martin II – OG – Freshman (6′5, 310) 66 Cole Smith – C – Sophomore (6′4, 280) 68 Alijah Vera-Tucker – OG-OT – Freshman (6′4, 300) 70 Chuma Edoga – OT – Junior (6′4, 290) 72 Andrew Vorhees – OT-OG – Freshman (6′6, 290) 73 Austin Jackson – OT – Freshman (6′6, 290) 74 Nico Falah – C-OT – Senior (6′4, 280) 76 Clayton Johnston – OT – Sophomore (6′6, 285) 77 Chris Brown – OG-OT – Junior (6′5, 300) 78 Nathan Smith – OT – Freshman (6′6, 275)

Defensive tackle 44 Malik Dorton – Junior (6′2, 280) 51 Marlon Tuipulotu – Freshman (6′3, 295) 78 Jay Tufele – Freshman (6′3, 295) 79 Connor Rossow – Freshman (6′2, 305) 89 Christian Rector – Sophomore (6′5, 275) 91 Brandon Pili – Freshman (6′4, 320) 93 Liam Jimmons – Freshman (6′5, 280) 94 Rasheem Green – Junior (6′5, 280) 95 Kenny Bigelow Jr. – Senior (6′3, 295) 97 Jacob Lichtenstein – Freshman (6′5, 255) 98 Josh Fatu – Senior (6′3, 290)

Defensive End / Outside Linebacker 31 Hunter Echols – Freshman (6′5, 240) 45 Porter Gustin – Junior (6′5, 260) 49 Matt Bayle – Sophomore (6′2, 215) 53 Bryce Matthews – Freshman (6′3, 220) 90 Connor Murphy – Sophomore (6′7, 255) 99 Oluwole Betizu Jr. – Sophomore (6′3, 250)

Placekicker 40 Chase McGrath – Freshman (6′0, 190) 49 Michael Brown – Freshman (6′2, 195)

Holder 46 Wyatt Schmidt – Junior (6′3, 210) (+K) Linebacker 10 John Houston Jr. – Sophomore (6′3, 220) 13 Vi Jones – Freshman (6′3, 220) 34 Olajuwon Tucker – Senior (6′3, 230) 35 Cameron Smith – Junior (6′2, 245) 41 Juliano Falaniko – Freshman (6′4, 220) 42 Uchenna Nwosu – Senior (6′3, 235) 50 Grant Moore – Junior (6′0, 210) 52 Christian Herrera – Senior (6′1, 210) 54 Tayler Katoa – Freshman (6′2, 220) 56 Jordan Iosefa – Sophomore (6′2, 215)

Cornerback  8 Iman Marshall – Junior (6′1, 200)  9 Greg Johnson – Freshman (5′11, 195) 16 Dominic Davis – Junior (5′10, 180) (+TB) 18 Jalen Jones – Junior (5′8, 165) 22 Je'Quari Godfrey – Freshman (6′2, 185) 23 Jonathan Lockett – Senior (5′11, 180) 24 Isaiah Langley – Junior (6′0, 170) 25 Jack Jones – Sophomore (5′11, 170) 27 Ajene Harris – Junior (5′11, 190) 30 Yoofi Quansah – Senior (5′8, 170)

Safety  2 Bubba Bolden – Freshman (6′3, 190)  4 Chris Hawkins – Senior (5′11, 185)  6 Isaiah Pola-Mao – Freshman (6′4, 200)  7 Marvell Tell – Junior (6′3, 190) 14 Ykili Ross – Sophomore (6′0, 200) (+CB) 21 Jamel Cook – Freshman (6′3, 185) 26 Davonte Nunnery – Junior (5′10, 200) 28 C.J. Pollard – Freshman (6′1, 185) 31 Richard Hagestad – Freshman (6′1, 205) 37 Matt Lopes – Senior (5′11, 195)

Long snappers 48 Damon Johnson – Freshman (6′0, 205) 61 Jake Olson – Sophomore (6′4, 210)

Punter 36 Chris Tilbey – Junior (6′5, 205) 46 Reid Budrovich – Junior (5′11, 185) 47 James Bermingham Jr. – Junior (6′4, 185)2017 USC Football Roster (07/26/2017)

Returning starters

USC returns 26 starters in 2017, including 12 on offense, 11 on defense, and 3 on special teams.

Key departures include Justin Davis (TB – 6 games), JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – 13 games), Darreus Rogers (WR – 13 games), De'Quan Hampton (WR), Isaac Whitney (WR), Taylor McNamara (TE – 11 games), Zach Banner (OT – 11 games), Chad Wheeler (OT – 11 games), Damien Mama (OL – 12 games), Jordan Simmons (OL – 2 games), Stevie Tu'ikolovatu (DT – 12 games), Quinton Powell (LB), Michael Hutchings (ILB – 13 games), Adoree' Jackson (CB – 13 games), Leon McQuay III (S – 12 games), Zach Smith (LS – 13 games).

Other departures include Joel Foy (LB), Deion Hart (S).

Offense (12) Player Class Position Games started Sam Darnold Sophomore Quarterback 10 games Ronald Jones II Junior Tailback 7 games Reuben Peters Junior Fullback 11 games Steven Mitchell Senior Wide receiver 3 games Deontay Burnett Junior Wide receiver 5 games Daniel Imatorbhebhe Sophomore Tight end 5 games Tyler Petite Junior Tight end 2 games Viane Talamaivao Senior Offensive guard 13 games Nico Falah Senior Center 12 games Toa Lobendahn Junior Center 1 game Chuma Edoga Junior Offensive tackle 2 games Chris Brown Junior Offensive line 1 game

Defense (12) Player Class Position Games started Rasheem Green Junior Defensive tackle 12 games Malik Dorton Junior Defensive tackle 2 games Josh Fatu Senior Defensive tackle 1 game Porter Gustin Junior Outside Linebacker 13 games Cameron Smith Junior Inside linebacker 13 games Uchenna Nwosu Senior Linebacker 13 games Iman Marshall Junior Cornerback 13 games Jonathan Lockett Senior Cornerback 5 games Ajene Harris Junior Cornerback 4 games Marvell Tell Junior Safety 13 games Chris Hawkins Senior Safety 4 games

Special teams (3) Player Class Position Games started Matt Boermeester Senior Kicker 13 games Chris Tilbey Junior Punter 13 games Wyatt Schmidt Junior Holder 13 games

Transfers The Trojans lost 5 players due to transfer. One transfer during the 2017 season.

Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Transfer to Max Browne #4 QB 6'5 220 Junior Sammamish, WA Pitt Kevin Scott #53 DT 6'5 315 Junior Los Angeles, CA Arizona Western / Nevada Khaliel Rodgers Sr. #62 OG 6'3 315 Junior New Castle, DE North Carolina E.J. Price #75 OT 6'6 325 Freshman Dacula, GA Kentucky Noah Jefferson #91 DT 6'6 315 Sophomore Las Vegas, NV Arizona Western / Ole Miss Cary Angeline #86 TE 6'6 230 Freshman Exton, PA N.C. State

Depth chart

Projecting Depth Chart 2017

True Freshman Double Position : *

Recruiting class

Scholarship distribution chart

Position Freshman (36) Sophomore (15) Junior (23) Senior (10) (4) 2018 signed (10) QB 3 (1) Jack Sears – – TB 5 (1) Stephen Carr – Ronald Jones II Aca'Cedric Ware * Markese Stepp FB 1 – – * – WR 10 Randal Grimes Joseph Lewis IV Michael Pittman Jr. Deontay Burnett TE 4 Josh Falo Erik Krommenhoek Tyler Petite – OL 16 (2) Austin Jackson Brett Neilon Alijah Vera-Tucker Andrew Vorhees Chuma Edoga Viane Talamaivao Justin Dedich Liam Douglass DT 10 (3) Jacob Lichtenstein Brandon Pili Jay Tufele Marlon Tuipulotu Jacob Daniel Rasheem Green Josh Fatu Caleb Tremblay DE / OLB 6 (3) Hunter Echols Oluwole Betiku Jr. Connor Murphy Porter Gustin Uchenna Nwosu Olajuwon Tucker Kana'i Mauga Abdul-Malik McClain Raymond Scott ILB 7 (1) Juliano Falaniko Levi Jones Tayler Katoa Jordan Iosefa * Cameron Smith – Palaie Gaoteote IV CB 9 (2) Je'Quari Godfrey Greg Johnson Jack Jones Keyshawn Pie Young Dominic Davis Isaiah Langley Iman Marshall Jonathan Lockett Chase Williams S 8 (1) Bubba Bolden Isaiah Pola-Mao Marvell Tell * Talanoa Hufanga SP 5 Chase McGrath* * ATH x x x x

/ / * : Former walk-on

- 85 scholarships permitted, 85 currently allotted to players.

- USC can sign 15-20 players in the class of 2018 count contingent on 9 graduating SRs (Lockett and Tucker burned redshirt in 2017), NFL early entries and transfers.

Projecting Scholarship Distribution 2017

2017 NFL draft

NFL Combine The official list of participants for the 2017 NFL Combine was released on Wednesday (February 15), featuring USC football players OT Zach Banner, TB Justin Davis, CB Adoree’ Jackson, OG Damien Mama, WR Darreus Rogers, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, NT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu and OT Chad Wheeler.

The eight Trojans were tested at the Combine in Indianapolis beginning on February 28 through March 6.

Trojans who didn't nab an invite include S Leon McQuay III, TE Taylor McNamara, LB Michael Hutchings, LB Quinton Powell, OG Jordan Simmons, WR De'Quan Hampton, WR Isaac Whitney & LS Zach Smith. They waited until USC's Pro Day to get in front of NFL scouts

Team players drafted into the NFL