USC Football: Trojans 2023 Spring Preview, What to Watch
At the end of the regular season, it appeared that USC was on the verge of its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.
But a surprise loss to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game ended any shot of making the national semifinal, and the Trojans' season ended with a thud after losing to upstart Tulane in the Cotton Bowl Game.
The good news is that Southern Cal returns its most important player, as Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams makes a comeback.
What to expect: 2023 USC Football Schedule
The bad news is one whole side of the football kept this team from realizing its full potential and has to take a giant leap forward in the 2023 season.
Whatever will happen on the field, it all begins in spring football.
Let's go three and out and preview what you should be watching as USC returns to the gridiron.
USC Football: Trojans 2023 Spring Preview
Looking ahead to 2023 USC Spring Football
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1. Defensive repairs, improvements
It was a problem. It's not a secret that USC's defense was the glaring weakness of this team last season, through subpar physicality and scores of missed tackles, allowing otherwise overmatched Pac-12 opponents to stay in games and ultimately costing the team in its most important moment.
Improve up front. In particular, the Trojans need to reconfigure its run stop, get more physical, and build on their fundamentals in the front seven. USC surrendered a shade under 5 yards per carry last season, second-worst in college football, and allowed 29 touchdowns on the ground, the nation's most.
Ugly numbers. In its last two games, the Pac-12 Championship and the Cotton Bowl, the Trojans allowed 528 combined yards on the ground and a total of seven rushing touchdowns for 7.65 yards per attempt. Any repeat of that effort and USC will have lost a golden opportunity to contend for a championship.
2. Integrating transfers
Lincoln Riley's ability to attract top transfer portal talent has been key to his helping get USC back into the national picture, on offense and defense.
Who are some of the most important players you should be watching?
Mason Cobb. The former Oklahoma State linebacker comes over after finishing an All Big 12 selection last season, bringing a combination of speed and skill that will be a huge help in preventing those big running lanes from opening. Cobb had 96 stops, two sacks, and an interception in 2022.
Jack Sullivan. Somewhat overlooked in the portal, the former Purdue defensive lineman lacks the kind of elite athleticism that jumps off the film, but more than makes up for it with a brand of aggressive, consistent play, recording 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 46 games.
Anthony Lucas. One of the foundational pieces of a legendary Texas A&M recruiting class, the former five-star prospect had limited exposure in his first season, but still projects as one of the nation's premier interior line prospects with burst off the snap and the motor to push through and generate a pass rush.
Dorian Singer. The former Arizona wide receiver caught 66 passes for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns last season and could make a push to be the Trojans' top target on offense.
MarShawn Lloyd. The running back goes from one USC to another, running for nine touchdowns and covering 573 yards in nine games for South Carolina, bringing an added physical dimension to the Trojans' rushing attack.
3. Changes at the line
USC's offense was able to dominate the way it did despite its relative weakness at the line, capitalizing on Caleb Williams' mobility and quick-throw ability.
The transfer portal was good for USC on the offensive line this offseason, with three important additions coming over, including two from Florida.
Ethan White projects as the starter at left guard after not allowing a sack last season, while Michael Tarquin is set to step in at right tackle to protect Williams' strong side.
Jarrett Kingston transferred in from Washington State with experience at both left and right tackle and should step in as starter to hold down Williams' blind side, bringing credible experience and skill, rarely letting edge rushers get to the quarterback.
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