The 2018 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and competed as members of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Clay Helton.
Despite being ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll's preseason rankings, the Trojans finished the season 5–7, the program's first losing record since 2000 and missed a bowl game for the first time since that year (The 2010 and 2011 teams were banned from postseason play due to NCAA sanctions.) USC lost to both of its major rivals, UCLA and Notre Dame, in the same season for the first time since 2013, and it also lost to all other California Pac-12 schools (UCLA, California, and Stanford) in the same season for the first time since 1996. The team went 4–5 in Pac-12 play, tying Arizona for third place in the Pac-12 South Division.
On November 25, USC athletic director Lynn Swann announced that head coach Clay Helton would return in 2019 despite the disappointing season.
Personnel
Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atUSC Alma mater Before USC Clay Helton Head coach 8 Houston (1994) Memphis – Offensive coordinator (2009) John Baxter Special teams coordinator 7 Iowa State (1987) Michigan – Special teams coordinator (2015) Ronnie Bradford Secondary coach 3 Colorado (1995) LA Tech – Defensive backs coach / special teams coordinator (2015) Keary Colbert Tight ends coach / inside receivers coach 4 USC (2006) Alabama – Offensive analyst (2015) Tim Drevno Tailbacks coach / offensive line coach / running game coordinator / pass protection coordinator 2 Cal State Fullerton (1992) Michigan – Offensive coordinator / offensive line coach (2015) Bryan Ellis Quarterbacks coach 2 UAB (2011) Western Kentucky – Wide receivers coach (2015) Tee Martin Offensive coordinator / wide receivers coach 7 Tennessee (2004) Kentucky – Wide receivers coach (2011)Johnny Nansen Linebackers coach / recruiting coordinator / assistant head coach 5 Washington State (1997) Washington – Special teams coordinator / Tailbacks coach (2013)Clancy PendergastDefensive coordinator 5 Arizona (1990) San Francisco 49ers – Linebackers coach (2015)Kenechi UdezeDefensive line coach 4 USC (2010) Pittsburgh – Assistant strength and conditioning coach (2014) Ivan Lewis Head strength and conditioning coach 5 San Diego (2003) Washington – Head strength & conditioning coach (2013)Prentice GillOffensive graduate assistant – Wide receivers 4 Old Dominion (2012) San Jose State – Graduate assistant (defensive backs) (2015)Trevor GuytonDefensive graduate assistant – Defensive line 1 California (2013) Saskatchewan Roughriders – Defensive line (2014)Michael HutchingsDefensive graduate assistant – Linebackers 1 USC (2017) USC – Inside linebacker (2016)Dane StevensOffensive graduate assistant – Tight ends 2 USC (2016) USC – Student assistant coach (2016)
Roster 2018 USC Trojans Football rosterQuarterback 4 Trevor Scully – Freshman (5′11, 170) 10 Jack Sears – Freshman (6′3, 205) 13 Brandon Perdue – Freshman (6′4, 215) 16 Holden Thomas – Sophomore (6′6, 200) 18 JT Daniels – Freshman (6′3, 210) 19 Matt Fink – Sophomore (6′3, 200)
Tailback 7 Stephen Carr – Sophomore (6′0, 205) 28 Aca'Cedric Ware – Senior (6′0, 205) 29 Vavae Malepeai – Sophomore (6′0, 215) 30 Markese Stepp – Freshman (6′0, 230) 37 Ben Easington – Freshman (5′10, 205) 38 Chris Edmondson – Sophomore (5′9, 195) 39 Howard Felder Jr. – Freshman (6′0, 235) 40 Quincy Jountti – Junior (5′10, 205)
Wide receiver 1 Velus Jones Jr. – Sophomore (6′0, 190) 2 Devon Williams – Freshman (6′4, 205) 6 Michael Pittman Jr. – Junior (6′4, 215) 8 Amon-Ra St. Brown – Freshman (6′1, 195) 13 Trevon Sidney – Sophomore (5′11, 170) 17 Josh Imatorbhebhe – Sophomore (6′2, 215) 21 Tyler Vaughns – Sophomore (6′2, 185) 24 Jake Russell – Junior (5′11, 175) 26 Zach Wilson – Freshman (6′1, 200) 34 Matt Nyman – Freshman (6′2, 190) 36 Jack Webster – Freshman (6′0, 185) 44 Matthew Hocum – Junior (5′10, 180) 85 Keyshawn 'Pie' Young – Sophomore (5′11, 170) 87 Randal Grimes – Sophomore (6′4, 205) - John Jackson III – Freshman (6′1, 180)
Tight end 41 Chris Caulk – Sophomore (6′3, 210) 82 Tyler Petite – Senior (6′4, 250) 83 Josh Falo – Sophomore (6′6, 230) 84 Erik Krommenhoek – Sophomore (6′5, 255) 88 Daniel Imatorbhebhe – Junior (6′3, 240) 89 Austin Applebee – Senior (6′6, 250)
Placekicker 15 Thomas Fitts – Junior (6′1, 200) 38 Alex Stadthaus – Freshman (6′2, 195) 40 Chase McGrath – Sophomore (6′0, 195) 49 Michael Brown – Sophomore (6′1, 195)
Offensive Lineman 50 Toa Lobendahn – C-OT – Senior (6′3, 295) 51 Bernard Schirmer – OT – Sophomore (6′6, 290) 52 Jacob Daniel – OG – Junior (6′4, 315) 54 Jalen McKenzie – OT – Freshman (6′5, 310) 56 Jordan Austin – OG – Senior (6′5, 290) 57 Justin Dedich – C – Freshman (6′2, 290) 62 Brett Neilon – C – Freshman (6′2, 295) 64 AJ Mageo – OT – Freshman (6′5, 320) 65 Frank Martin II – OG – Sophomore (6′4, 300) 67 Mark Zuvich – C – Freshman (6′3, 260) 68 Liam Douglass – OT – Freshman (6′5, 290) 70 Chuma Edoga – OT – Senior (6′4, 295) 72 Andrew Vorhees – OG-OT – Sophomore (6′6, 315) 73 Austin Jackson – OT – Sophomore (6′6, 305) 75 Alijah Vera-Tucker – OG-OT – Freshman (6′4, 310) 76 Clayton Bradley – OT – Junior (6′5, 295) 77 Chris Brown – OG – Senior (6′5, 310)
Defensive line 44 Malik Dorton – Senior (6′2, 280) 51 Marlon Tuipulotu – Freshman (6′3, 305) 78 Jay Tufele – Freshman (6′3, 310) 89 Christian Rector – Junior (6′4, 275) 90 Connor Murphy – Junior (6′7, 260) 91 Brandon Pili – Sophomore (6′4, 325) 93 Liam Jimmons – Sophomore (6′4, 290) 95 Trevor Trout – Freshman (6′4, 310) 96 Caleb Tremblay – Junior (6′5, 270) 97 Jacob Lichtenstein – Freshman (6′5, 270)
Outside Linebacker 26 Kana'i Mauga – Freshman (6′2, 240) 31 Hunter Echols – Freshman (6′5, 240) 34 Eli'Jah Winston – Freshman (6′3, 235) 41 Juliano Falaniko – Sophomore (6′4, 230) 42 Abdul-Malik McClain – Freshman (6′4, 240) 45 Porter Gustin – Senior (6′5, 260) 46 Grant Jones – Sophomore (6′2, 220) (+ILB) 48 Peter Esparza – Freshman (6′1, 205) 56 Jordan Iosefa – Junior (6′2, 230) (+ILB) 99 Oluwole Betiku Jr. – Junior (6′3, 240)
Long snappers 39 Jac Casasante – Freshman (6′0, 210) 59 Damon Johnson – Sophomore (6′0, 205) 61 Jake Olson – Junior (6′3, 225) Inside Linebacker 1 Palaie Gaoteote IV – Freshman (6′2, 250) 10 John Houston Jr. – Junior (6′3, 220) 13 Vi Jones – Sophomore (6′3, 220) (+OLB) 18 Raymond Scott – Freshman (6′2, 230) 35 Cameron Smith – Senior (6′2, 250) 47 Reuben Peters – Senior (6′0, 230) (+FB) 49 Matt Bayle – Junior (6′0, 215) 52 Spencer Gilbert – Freshman (6′0, 220) 53 Bryce Matthews – Freshman (6′3, 225) 54 Tayler Katoa – Freshman (6′2, 230) 58 Solomon Tuliaupupu – Freshman (6′3, 240) 59 Isaac Franco – Senior (6′1, 230)
Cornerback 4 Olaijah Griffin – Freshman (6′0, 180) 6 Isaac Taylor-Stuart – Freshman (6′2, 295) 8 Iman Marshall – Senior (6′1, 205) 9 Greg Johnson – Freshman (5′11, 190) 16 Dominic Davis – Junior (5′9, 190) (+TB) 17 Chase Williams – Freshman (6′2, 190) 23 Jonathan Lockett – Senior (5′11, 180) 24 Isaiah Langley – Senior (6′0, 175) 27 Ajene Harris – Senior (5′10, 185)
Safety 7 Marvell Tell – Senior (6′2, 195) 15 Talanoa Hufanga – Freshman (6′1, 215) 21 Isaiah Pola-Mao – Freshman (6′4, 200) 28 C.J. Pollard – Sophomore (6′1, 190) 30 Jordan McMillan – Freshman (5′11, 200) 31 Richard Hagestad – Sophomore (6′1, 195) 37 Davonte Nunnery – Senior (5′10, 210)
Punter 36 Chris Tilbey – Senior (6′5, 210) 46 Reid Budrovich – Senior (5′11, 185) 47 James Bermingham Jr. – Senior (6′4, 185)
Holder 81 Wyatt Schmidt – Senior (6′3, 205) (+SNP)2018 USC Spring Football Roster (03/06/2018)
Returning starters
USC returns 31 starters in 2018, including 11 on offense, 13 on defense, and 5 on special teams.
Key departures include Sam Darnold (QB – 14 games), Ronald Jones II (TB – 13 games), Deontay Burnett (WR – 12 games), Steven Mitchell (WR – 7 games), Jalen Greene (WR – 5 games), Viane Talamaivao (OG – 5 games), Nico Falah (C – 14 games), Rasheem Green(DE/DT – 14 games), Josh Fatu (DT – 12 games), Uchenna Nwosu (OLB – 14 games), Jack Jones (CB – 13 games), Chris Hawkins (S – 14 games), Ykili Ross (S – 2 games).
Other departures include James Toland IV (TB), Matt Lopes (S).
Offense (11) Player Class Position Games started Stephen Carr Sophomore Tailback 1 game Tyler Vaughns Sophomore Wide receiver 10 games Michael Pittman Jr. Junior Wide receiver 6 games Tyler Petite Senior Tight end 11 games Daniel Imatorbhebhe Junior Tight end 4 games Erik Krommenhoek Sophomore Tight end 1 game Toa Lobendahn Senior Offensive tackle 13 games Chuma Edoga Senior Offensive tackle 12 games Chris Brown Senior Offensive guard 14 games Andrew Vorhees Sophomore Offensive guard 9 games Clayton Bradley Junior Offensive tackle 3 games
Defense (13) Player Class Position Games started Christian Rector Junior Defensive line 5 games Malik Dorton Senior Defensive tackle 3 games Brandon Pili Sophomore Defensive tackle 2 games Marlon Tuipulotu Freshman Defensive tackle 1 game Porter Gustin Senior Outside linebacker 2 games Connor Murphy Junior Outside linebacker 1 game Cameron Smith Senior Inside linebacker 13 games John Houston Jr. Junior Inside linebacker 12 games Jordan Iosefa Junior Linebacker 7 games Iman Marshall Senior Cornerback 11 games Ajene Harris Senior Cornerback 10 games Isaiah Langley Senior Cornerback 4 games Marvell Tell Senior Safety 14 games
Special teams (5) Player Class Position Games started Reid Budrovich Senior Punter 14 games Wyatt Schmidt Senior Holder 13 games Chase McGrath Sophomore Kicker 13 games Damon Johnson Sophomore Long snapper 12 games Michael Brown Sophomore Kicker 2 games
Transfers
The Trojans lost 5 players due to transfer.
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Transfer to Jalen Greene #10 WR 6'2 200 Senior Inglewood, CA Utah State Jamel Cook #21 S 6'4 190 Sophomore Miami, FL South Carolina Olajuwon Tucker #34 LB 6'2 220 Senior Harbor City, CA – Roy Hemsley #63 OG 6'5 315 Junior Los Angeles, CA Arizona State Je'Quari Godfrey #22 CB 6'2 185 Freshman Oakland, CA -
Depth chart
Depth Chart 2018
True Freshman Double Position : *
Recruiting class
Scholarship distribution chart
Position Freshman (28) Sophomore (23) Junior (11) Senior (17) QB 3 (2) JT Daniels – – TB 4 (1) Markese Stepp Stephen Carr – Aca'Cedric Ware FB 1 – – – * WR 9 (3) Amon-Ra St. Brown Devon Williams Randal Grimes Michael Pittman Jr. – TE 4 (2) – Josh Falo Erik Krommenhoek Tyler Petite OL 14 (0) Justin Dedich Liam Douglass Austin Jackson Andrew Vorhees Chuma Edoga DL 10 (1) Trevor Trout Brandon Pili Connor Murphy Caleb Tremblay OLB 8 (2) Kana'i Mauga Abdul-Malik McClain Raymond Scott Eli'Jah Winston Juliano Falaniko Oluwole Betiku Jr. Porter Gustin ILB 7 (2) Palaie Gaoteote IV Solomon Tuliaupupu Levi Jones Jordan Iosefa Cameron Smith CB 9 (2) Olaijah Griffin Isaac Taylor-Stuart Chase Williams – Isaiah Langley Iman Marshall S 5 (0) Talanoa Hufanga Bubba Bolden – Marvell Tell SP 5 (1) – Damon Johnson Chase McGrath* – * ATH x x x x
/ / * Former walk-on
– 85 scholarships permitted, 81 currently allotted to players
– 78 recruited players on scholarship (Three former walk-ons)
– OT Jalen McKenzie took an advanced scholarship or "blueshirt" limiting USC's class of 2018 to 24.
Projecting Scholarship Distribution 2018
2018 NFL draft
NFL Combine
The official list of participants for the 2018 NFL Combine included USC football players WR Deontay Burnett, QB Sam Darnold, DE Rasheem Green, RB Ronald Jones II, WR Steven Mitchell Jr. & OLB Uchenna Nwosu.
Team players drafted into the NFL