College Football

USC Trojans Football: 5 players to watch in spring game

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:25 p.m. ET

Fansided, Zach Bigalke/FanSided via Saturday Blitz

USC football enters 2017 with high hopes after its comeback victory in the Rose Bowl. Which Trojans should you keep an eye on at this year's spring game?

USC will look vastly different in 2017 than the unit that fans saw on the field for the Trojans' spring game a year ago. Gone are all four of the team captains from last season, including Pitt transfer Max Browne and early draft departure Adoree' Jackson. Yet despite losing a slew of starting talent on both sides of the ball, hopes are still high for a return to the top of the Pac-12 South and a shot at national contention.

Clay Helton enters his second full season as USC head coach after taking over on an interim basis in 2015. His Trojans got to ten wins last season, and they landed a top-five recruiting class in February to continue building for the future. But the parts to win now are already in place, even with the departure of so much talent.

Spring practices have already started for the Trojans, and the April 15 spring game is approaching quickly. Competition will remain fierce as USC concludes its practices. Click ahead to see which five players to watch during the spring game.

January 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Darnold

QB, USC

USC's hopes in 2017 hinge on the continued development of Sam Darnold, the quarterback who broke Rose Bowl records and went 9-1 as a starter as a redshirt freshman. He was already generating NFL Combine buzz despite the fact he can't declare for the draft until next year. For a kid who was battling Max Browne for the starting position this time last year, it is a rapid leap. Now Darnold needs to build upon his first year as the starter if USC is going to make the next leap from contender to champion.

In retrospect it seems silly that he lost out to Browne last fall, and this spring there is no question as to who is leading the offense. Yet there are also signs that not all is perfect for Helton and his offense. Darnold has had trouble this spring with his efficiency, and it is worth watching whether he can get his interception issues under control. The quarterback will be under the microscope on April 15, and his performance in the spring game will be a major storyline.

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Deontay Burnett (80) catches a 27-yard touchdown pass as Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) defends with 1:09 left during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Deontay Burnett

WR, USC

The top two receivers from last year's depth chart are now gone from USC. That leaves the door open for Deontay Burnett to stake his claim as the Trojans' newest top-tier receiving threat. He enters the spring on his own high note.

Burnett caught 13 of Darnold's Rose Bowl passes for a career-high 164 yards and three touchdowns in a breakout performance. Now he will look to maintain that level of performance over an entire campaign as USC's number-one target.

So far this spring, Burnett has been having one stellar practice after another. He is latching onto almost everything Darnold has thrown his way, and has bailed his quarterback out a few times.

No other player on the team has nearly as much experience among the receiving corps, and thus the team's fortunes in the passing game will depend largely on the tone that Burnett sets. If he can continue his run of form into the spring game and once fall begins, the Trojans could go far this season.

Sep 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage as USC Trojans center Nico Falah (74) snaps the ball against the Utah State Aggies during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Brown

OL, USC

Center Nico Falah and right guard Viane Talamaivao are both back in 2017. But Damien Mama, Zach Banner and Chad Wheeler are all gone from last year's offensive line. As a result, USC has more holes to fill than one might expect from a championship contender.

The hope for the Trojans is that they can get an increased contribution from a player like Chris Brown. Brown has regular playing experience in the line rotation, but he has never before grabbed a starting role.

The redshirt junior has racked up the bulk of his playing experience at both guard positions. But at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Brown was recruited as an offensive tackle, and he is capable of playing at either bookend position as well.

Helton needs Brown to assert himself as the starter at one of the three vacant spots. If that happens, USC can maintain and build upon the level of success from last year. Watch to see where he starts in the spring game.

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; The USC Trojans enter the field before the 2017 Rose Bowl game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Fatu

DT, USC

Last year USC leaned heavily on Utah graduate transfer Stevie Tu'ikolovatu at defensive tackle. With Tu'ikolovatu on his way to the NFL, the Trojans might turn to another transfer student on its roster to step into the vacancy.

Josh Fatu, a junior-college transfer from Long Beach City College, was actually brought in last year. Fatu played in all but one of the Trojans' games last season and started against Arizona. His only absence came against UCLA in the Battle for the Victory Bell.

Mostly playing a backup role, Fatu finished his first year with 21 tackles for the Trojans. That experience could serve him well as he is called upon to fill a bigger role in Clancy Pendergast's defense.

Fatu will likely be pushed by incoming freshman Jay Tufele in the fall, but right now he has a prime opportunity to claim the starting tackle position as his own. Watch to see whether Fatu can separate himself from other challengers this spring.

Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) tackles Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) in the second quarter during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Uchenna Nwosu

LB, USC

Uchenna Nwosu did a little bit of everything for the Trojans in 2016 even as he struggled with a sprained MCL. Entering the spring after healing up, he'll look to do even more this year.

Nwosu was sixth on the team last year in tackles. He also had three sacks, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble. If he can stay healthy this year, Nwosu could be the most dynamic among a skilled bunch of linebackers on Pendergast's defense.

So far, Nwosu has looked like one of the Trojans' most dominant defenders this spring. He picked off Darnold and racked up three quarterback sacks in the first spring scrimmage. With a load of questions still lingering along the defensive line, Nwosu and fellow returning linebackers Cameron Smith and Porter Gustin will need to provide critical backup at the second level.

If Nwosu keeps playing like he has so far this spring, he might make Darnold's life miserable during the spring game.