Welcome to the Fierce 40 series of my 2015 College Football Rankings, where I will be counting down the top 40 ranked teams in the NCAA. Today I will be analyzing the USC Trojans, 5 overall for the 2015 college football season.

I will be releasing one NCAA team preview per day, providing my analysis on each team in the top 40 rankings. There will be a focus on every key area of each college football team, thereby determining my overall ranking, with an emphasis on future NFL Draft prospects. Stay tuned.

Previous articles in the Fierce 40 college football rankings series can be found here.

 

#5 USC Trojans

2014 Recap:

Steve Sarkisian enjoyed a 9-4 season in his first year at USC with the year culminating with a 45-42 win over Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. It was a little tumultuous off the field and in the offseason for Sarkisian, but he has all the talent needed to win the Pac 12 and make a run at the College Football Playoff.

Coaching:

Again, Sarkisian and the off-the-field talk has distracted from what the team is setting out to accomplish this season. Clay Helton leads a team that was 29th in the offense while the defense ranked a putrid 115th against the pass and 76th overall. Those numbers are a little deceiving, as all Pac 12 schools are low in pass defense due to the culture of the conference. Justin Wilcox serves as the defensive coordinator.

 

Offensive Analysis

Quarterbacks/Running Backs:

Tre Madden gets his turn at tailback. It doesn't really matter who runs the ball at USC, as the amount of talent at the position is so rich and deep. Madden missed last season with a toe injury, but like last season's workhorse Buck Allen, Madden is an amazing receiver. Madden should end the season with about 40 receptions, and if that number is not achieved it will be because he is splitting time with other backs, not through lack of chances or production. Ronald Jones is a freshman that should see a lot of the field backing up Madden after de-committing from Oklahoma State.

As good and the running backs are, Cody Kessler and the passing game is even better. Even without some of his favorite targets from a season ago, Kessler should rip up opposing offenses and could make a run at the Heisman Trophy.

Best Draft Prospect: Tre Madden RB 3rd Round 2016.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:

JuJu Smith takes over for Nelson Agholor as the top receiver for the offense. Smith can absolutely fly down the football field as is the case with many of the receivers on this team. Whether working short routes or fly patterns, having some serious wheels is concern number one in this offense. Darreus Rogers and Steven Mitchell are the other starting receivers. The biggest problem facing the Trojans is there may not be enough footballs to go around. Speaking of big plays, cornerback and top NCAA return man Adoree Jackson will be used in the passing game and even the occasional run to utilize his big play ability and keeping defenses honest.

Best Draft Prospect: JuJu Smith WR 3rd Round 2017 (if he declares, part of the 2018 draft class).

 

Offensive Line:

USC has a history of producing top flight NFL offensive lineman, with many being tackles. USC is returning an experienced line, but center Max Tuerk looks like the prize of the line, as he will be one of the first centers off the board at the draft. Chad Wheeler shows promise at left tackle, but the junior seems to just be tapping into his potential. Additonal starters include Toa Lobendahn,Viane Talamaivo and the huge Zach Banner.

Best Draft Prospect: Max Tuerk C 3rd Round 2016.

 

Defensive Analysis

Defensive Line:

USC tinkers with their line formations about as often as any team at the FBS level. USC even used five lineman for a number of games as their primary formation a season ago. USC seems like they will utilize a more traditional 4-3 set this year, but they can change instantly, so their lineman have to be versatile. Antwaun Woods looks to be the top prospect and he will have to show he can be the big play man without Leonard Williams beside of him. Delvon Simmons is also back, meaning USC has one of the best defensive tackle starting tandems in the conference. Scott Felix and Greg Townsaend Jr. will be the primary starters at the ends.

Best Draft Prospect: Antwaun Woods DT 2nd Round 2016.

 

Linebackers:

There is depth at linebacker for the Trojans with a nice blend of size and speed, but nobody comes close to Su'a Cravens. Cravens has first round talent but he is one of these versatile players we are talking about. There are some packages where we will see Cravans drop into the secondary as a rover/strong safety type. This is something we have seen in the past with the likes of Darnell Bing and Troy Polamalu.

Best Draft Prospect: Su’a Cravens LB 1st Round 2017 (possibility he declares for 2016).

 

Secondary:

Adoree Jackson is someone we have already talked about, as we have seen him make amazing plays as a corner, as a receiver/running back on offense and as the best return man in the game. Jackson isn't overly stout, standing just under 5'11, but he is very shifty, and teams should try and throw at him a little more this season. Kevon Seymour is a seasoned veteran on the other side at corner with plenty of young talent at the safety positions. As long as the safeties pan out and show some chemistry the defense should become more consistent.

Best Draft Prospect: Adoree Jackson CB 2nd Round 2017 (if he declares, part of the 2018 draft class). .

 

 

Special Teams

Again Adoree Jackson dominates the preview, as he was electric every time he touched the ball last season. He may not have the same numbers as last year, but the impact will be there. Tams attempt to kick away from him, and it should result in better field position for the Trojans.

Best Draft Prospect: N/A.

 

2015 Schedule

USC starts against traditionally tougher opponents that we feel are on down years in Stanford and Arizona State. An October 17th game in Notre Dame could be like a Super Bowl to the Fighting Irish. The November 7th home game with Arizona will be big as well as ending with Oregon and then the grudge match with UCLA. USC has a tough but manageable schedule.

 

Draft Prospects & Outlook

Su’a Cravens looks like the gem at this time, but Adoree Jackson could change that if he becomes more consistent in the secondary. The return value of Jackson, arguably the best return man at the FBS level, could push him into the 1st round by 2017. Antwaun Woods will have to show he can make big plays without Leonard Williams around, and if he can he should go in the 2nd or 3rd round.

 

NCAA & College Football Chat