USC football had some positives in 2018. Some true freshmen look like future superstars. Talanoa Hufanga was leading the team in tackles from his safety spot before he broke his collarbone. Palaie Gaoteote flashed ability we haven't seen at LB since Junior Seau. Amon-Ra
St. Brown looked like the most polished WR on the team and demonstrated explosive short area quickness as well as a gift for getting separation from DB's with ease. Chase Williams had a fantastic debut at safety vs. Notre Dame and Marquese Stepp looks like a future bull at RB.
JT Daniels has a lot to work on but he appeared pretty unflappable for a true freshman and also had some beautiful throws. He needs a different offense than this one to flourish IMO, but he did the best he could. He's learning that college DB's are much better than HS ones.
Senior Chris Brown had a nice year at LG and Austin Jackson displayed some possible All-American potential down the road as a LT-- he has great feet and athleticism. Ced Ware and Vavae Malepai both ran hard and with great physicality, there is no fear in their running styles.
Porter Gustin had a sadly abbreviated season but manage to lead the team with 7 sacks. He has been a GREAT Trojan-- the epitome of a Trojan, really. He will be sorely missed here. Cam Smith has also been a fantastic Trojan and hopefully can carve out a nice NFL career now.
Christian Rector had a decent year and hopefully can build on it for 2019, he is capable of double-digit sacks. The young DL had a learning experience this season; there are some real bears who will only get better: Tufele, Pili, Tuipolutu, Lichtenstein, Jimmons, Trevor Trout.
Marvell Tell leaves USC as a nice NFL safety prospect. Probably didn't have the year he wanted but he had his usual resounding hits. Olaijah Griffin flashed at CB while he played and hopefully he and Isaac Stuart-Taylor are fixtures at that spot for years to come. There is
more help coming back at safety: Isaiah Pola-Mao looked like a stud to begin the season before reinjuring his shoulder. Health permitting, he and Hufanga look like an All-American tandem of the future.
The most exciting young group on USC's team is the LB corps. Gaoteote, Solo, Raymond Scott, and then edge players like Hunter Echols and Kana'i Mauga comprise a very physical and nasty group. I predict they will be the revelation of 2019 with the right DC at the helm.
Few more kids that impressed me who are coming back: WR Devon Williams (big, surprisingly fast, soft hands), WR Trevon Sidney (got shortchanged on PT), G Alijah Vera-Tucker, C Brett Neilon, TE Josh Falo (inconsistent but a really good athlete who needs a better O to utilize him)
Was remiss in not mentioning Velus Jones in this thread. He was terrific this year. Another kid who was mis-used (those fly sweeps were so badly telegraphed, he got killed every time). But his effort was fantastic, and he was one of the more physical guys on the team...as a WR!
Somehow failed to mention Biggie Marshall. Nobody had a better year on the team. He put himself in position to be a pretty high draft pick next Spring. Teams did not throw on him often and killed USC exploiting whomever was opposite him. Fight on to Iman.
