The USC Linebacker Picture

USC football training camp breakdown: linebacker

USC has potential stars in Drake Jackson and Palaie Gaoteote IV, but a lot of injuries to worry about

Adam Grosbard (OC Register)  —  There may not be a position on the USC defense with as much boom-or-bust potential as the linebacker corps. There are a pair of players who seem poised for monster seasons, but looming injury concerns could make an already-depleted unit desperate for production out of redshirt freshmen.

Here’s a breakdown of where USC stands at linebacker:

Key returnees: Hunter Echols (Jr.), Juliano Falaniko (Jr.), Palaie Gaoteote IV (Jr.), Ralen Goforth (So.), Drake Jackson (So.), Kana’i Mauga (Jr.), Abdul-Malik McClain (So.), Clyde Moore (R-Fr.), Tuasivi Nomura (R-Fr.), Eli’jah Winston (So.)

Key losses: John Houston Jr.

Biggest unanswered question: What can we expect from the new hybrid outside linebacker position? Drake Jackson moved to the position as part of the new scheme presented by defensive coordinator Todd Orlando after his arrival this offseason. Jackson made the All-Pac-12 second team as a freshman with 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and three pass breakups.

So the question is how Jackson adjusts at linebacker. It’s a position he trained for growing up (his dad actually tried to put “linebacker, University of Southern California” as part of Jackson’s name on his birth certificate). Behind Jackson, Echols and McClain are viewed as the backups for the position.

Why 2020 production could be better: The biggest reason: Gaoteote. By all accounts, the junior is the breakout player from camp. That’s saying a lot considering Gaoteote had 58 tackles in a supporting role last season. But it looks like the former five-star recruit is prepared to make a major impact for USC this year.

This year will see a much more experienced group of linebackers than in 2019, when Houston was the only senior and there were no juniors. The Trojans are still young at linebacker, but Mauga is a junior after making an impression when pressed into duty as a sophomore. Goforth (left)  has been known as a hard worker since enrolling in the winter of 2019, but now will get the chance to show it in an expanded role.

Why 2020 production could be worse: The injuries are already mounting up. Jackson has missed some time with a hamstring injury. So has Mauga. Jordan Iosefa and Solomon Tuliaupupu are already out for the season.

These are significant losses; Iosefa was voted a captain prior to last season and Tuliaupupu was a four-star recruit out of Mater Dei. A couple more injuries, and USC may have to turn to some players with limited experience to plug the gaps.

ocregister.com

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RialtoTrojan
Noble Genius
RialtoTrojan
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October 29, 2020 8:43 pm

If USC were independent, they would be free to schedule Nebraska as a game Saturday. It is really too bad Wisconsin has bowed out of the game. Do they forfeit or is it just tough ship for Nebraska?

gametv
gametv
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October 28, 2020 12:20 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

i wonder if barely beating Louisville and scoring only 12 points, combined with losing to Clemson badly, will keep them out of the #4 slot. i think that an undefeated Pac-12 team that dominates the division would have a good shot against a one-loss Notre Dame that also didnt dominate all their other games.

Does Notre Dame play in the coastal or atlantic division of the conferece? are they eligible to play in the conference title game against Clemson, or would they be in the same division of the conference? that could be 2 losses against Clemson.

RialtoTrojan
Noble Genius
RialtoTrojan
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October 29, 2020 4:16 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I think what the Jets could get for Darnold would be a line that blocks and a couple of guys who actually catch the ball. That’s what they need for Sam.

Jamaica
Noble Genius
Jamaica
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October 27, 2020 4:47 pm

Injuries have been hitting this program and it could be why Helton was backing off hard hitting practices. It doesn’t help when the recruiting is uneven to cause position shortages. And that has happened too often since Helton took over. But Just the same, other teams go through hard physical practices and survive OK. Proper coaching on weight training-hitting-responding-landing has to be involved as well as good stretching in warmups all help prevent easy injuries.

RialtoTrojan
Noble Genius
RialtoTrojan
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October 27, 2020 8:43 pm
Reply to  Jamaica

I think you are right. Keep the hard practice and develop the backups. I not that old, but I remember when sending in the second or third string players meant no drop off in talent.

rleeholder1
rleeholder1
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October 28, 2020 4:42 am
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

I remember when Clay Matthews, Jr. was a walk-on from Agoura High.