Picked by multiple publications as the preseason No. 1 team
in the country, USC is going with a theme of “Unfinished Business” for 2012.
“We addressed that at the beginning of the spring and we’ll address it at the
beginning of the fall,” coach Lane Kiffin said of the preseason expectations on
Monday. "It does show that SC is at a point where they're getting a
lot of national respect, which is good. That's what we expect.
“Twenty-one months ago, I don't think anyone would've predicted this."
That doesn’t mean he’s in complete agreement.
“It'd be pretty hard for me to pick a team preseason No. 1 that's going to play
with at least 10 less players than everybody else,” Kiffin said of the Trojans,
who concluded their spring practice sessions.
When the Trojans reconvene for the start of Fall Camp in early August — even
as a favorite two win the national championship — they’ll have some questions
heading into the season.
“I would say development of the defensive tackles after George (Uko) and the
running back position,” Kiffin said are his major concerns entering the
fall.
Uko, who Kiffin has called “the perfect three-technique,” showed flashes of
dominance during the spring for the Trojans. Listed opposite him at nose tackle
on the USC depth chart released on Monday is J.R. Tavai, who Kiffin says is
more of a three-technique but is playing the nose instead of sitting behind
Uko.
The running back position, which was already thin entering spring drills, added
some depth in converted linebacker Tre Madden, but that was lost when Madden
went down for the season with a torn knee ligament.
Because of the injury to Madden, incoming freshman Nelson Agholor is going to
get looks at both wide receiver and tailback when he steps onto campus.
"We've got to look at some things because we need to find some yardage in
the passing game out of the running back position," Kiffin said.
A huge concern heading into spring practice appeared to be at the left tackle
position after Matt Kalil declared for the NFL Draft.
That appears to be solved with the emergence of Aundrey Walker. It’s been well
documented how Walker came into the spring a new man, having lost 63
pounds. He began spring practice as the apparent front runner at right
tackle, while Kevin Graf moved from the right side to try to fill Kalil’s
shoes.
The two later swapped positions.
"It just makes too much sense to leave Kevin where he has 12 games under
his belt over there on the right side,” Kiffin said.
Walker, who still has some growing to do on the left side, has showed the
coaching staff tremendous potential.
“Aundrey’s size and length (is so unique). That obviously helps you a lot on
the left side,” Kiffin said. “He has a very high ceiling. It’s exciting
at times when you see some plays that look like first-rounders do. He’s got
that type of ability but he’s got a long ways to go to get there.”
The competition will be open once fall rolls around, when three incoming
freshmen offensive linemen — Zach Banner, Jordan Simmons, and Max Tuerk — enter
the mix. Two of the three are listed as guards on the depth chart, but Kiffin’s
unsure where they’ll end up.
“All three of those guys are all long enough to be tackles,” Kiffin said. “Those three freshman coming in, we don’t know enough about.”
For the Trojans, the fall will have less to do with handling expectations and
more to do with answering questions within the team.
“It’s got nothing to do with how we prepare because some magazine says we’re
going to be No. 1 or No. 2,” Kiffin said. “No team is going to lay down and
give us easy games on Saturdays because of that. We have a lot of work to do.”
