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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