USC football nickel safety depth: Who will step up and claim starting role?

Jaylin Smith took most of the first team reps this spring

With spring practice in the books, we've put out our projected USC football depth chart for the fall. But let's go deeper. Over the course of the next few weeks, we'll release position-by-position breakdowns of USC's roster.

Who is back from last season? Who's new? Who will have the biggest impact? Who's an under-the-radar player to watch? What does the future of the position look like?

We'll answer all of those questions and more.

We started our breakdowns with the quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, offensive line, cornerbacks, linebackers and safeties. Let's now move to the nickel safety.

THE ROOM

The two players who logged the most snaps at nickel safety last season — Jaylin Smith and Latrell McCutchin — are both back for the Trojans. But expect those two to be pushed. Zion Branch is the main contender to potentially earn some run at the position after missing all of last year with a knee injury. Tre'Quon Fegans or Prophet Brown could also factor in at nickel. Both Fegans and Brown have more experience at cornerback, but could make a move to nickel during fall camp. 

PROJECTED LINEUP AND DEPTH CHART

1. Jaylin Smith (Jr.) OR Latrell McCutchin (Jr.)

2. Zion Branch (R-Fr.) OR Tre'Quon Fegans (R-Fr.) OR Prophet Brown (R-So.)

Smith was USC's first team nickel safety for the majority of spring practice due to McCutchin and Branch being banged up. He's the likely starter heading into the season with McCutchin as his primary backup. If Branch or Fegans puts together a good camp, they could certainly earn playing time. 

2022 BY THE NUMBERS

Smith: Started 9 of the 10 games he played in. Made 37 tackles. Allowed 19 receptions on 30 targets. 

McCutchin: Played in 12 games with 1 start. Made 22 tackles with 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Allowed 20 receptions on 29 targets.

Brown: Played 2 games on defense logging 18 snaps at wide corner. Made 4 tackles. Allowed 1 reception on 1 target.

Branch: DNP

Fegans (at Alabama): DNP

WHAT TO EXPECT

Both Smith and McCutchin played a high number of snaps in their first years under Alex Grinch. Heading into year two, the experience from last season should lead to better play. Additionally, the room will be deeper with Branch and potentially Fegans and Brown jockeying for playing time if the staff elects to play them at nickel.

Nickel safety wasn't one of the strengths of USC's defense last season. The pieces are in place for a turnaround in 2023 though. 

Branch feels like the x-factor here. He's a former top 100 recruit who gives the USC staff a very high ceiling at the position. With Branch working back from a knee injury, he may not contribute early in the year, but could play more when USC's schedule gets tougher as the season goes on. 

The hope is that one of Smith, McCutchin, Branch or maybe Fegans gives USC a better output than it got last year. 

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF THE POSITION LOOK LIKE?

Branch and Fegans will be back in 2024. Smith and McCutchin will likely return too, but if one of them has a breakout season it's possible they'd declare for the NFL Draft. 

In terms of departures, what's more likely is someone from this group entering the transfer portal if a player was to leave. 

USC plans to take two safeties in its 2024 recruiting class and one will likely be a nickel. Four-star Texas safety Myles Davis took an official visit to USC last weekend and walked away wowed by the trip. Davis has similar measurables to McCutchin and could potentially play nickel for the Trojans in the future.