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17 for '17: Michael Brown

Our countdown of USC’s most intriguing players to watch in spring practice continues. Note: This is a list of guys who have the most to gain and are best positioned to do so.

For each player, we examine the depth chart, back story, outlook, key questions and how their role could swing in spring.

(Ed. note: Michael Brown was not initially included on this list. Now that Matt Boermeester might not return to the team, Brown has emerged as one of the more important figures in spring football. If I were re-ranking, I would have listed Brown somewhere in the 10-15 range.)

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BONUS: MICHAEL BROWN

Profile: 6-2, 195, redshirt freshman

Current pecking order: With Matt Boermeester suspended, he is the lone scholarship kicker participating in spring practice.

Background: Brown basically came out of nowhere. When special teams coach John Baxter left Michigan for USC last January, he immediately sought to add a scholarship kicker to the 2016 class. USC made a late surge for top-rated Quinn Nordin, who would sign with Michigan, likely in part because of Baxter’s recruiting. The Trojans’ contingency plan included an unofficial visit for Brown from nearby Temecula Linfield Christian. He committed just before signing day and agreed to blueshirt, allowing USC to bring in an extra scholarship player (defensive tackle Josh Fatu). Brown, who was unrated by the major recruiting services and did not have any other scholarship offers, received high marks coming out of high school from noted kicking coach Chris Sailer.

"Michael is a big time kicking prospect," Sailer wrote on his website. "A great athlete with one of the strongest legs in the nation. Field goals are excellent off the ground. Kickoffs are near the top of his class. Also shows some punting potential. Does well under pressure. Has all the tools to dominate at the next level. A fine young man with a great attitude and work ethic. Outstanding prospect."

Brown initially competed for the starting job when he arrived last fall but was clearly behind Boermeester before going down with a quad injury. The plan was for him to redshirt all along, anyway. Brown’s practice reps were mostly confined to short range and he was fairly accurate most days.

Outlook: Let’s make this clear: If Boermeester isn’t on the team, Brown is the favorite to take over. It just wouldn’t be unprecedented for him not to be the guy. Just two years ago, walk-on Alex Wood, who had yet to attempt a field goal, beat out Boermeester in training camp and served as the primary placekicker for the entire 2015 season. When Brown was out for some time last fall, most of his practice reps just went to Boermeester but some went to redshirt junior Reid Budrovich, who’s also the backup punter. The bulk of Budrovich’s attempts were under 45 yards and he was very accurate. Wyatt Schmidt has also gotten the occasional practice rep. This would be Brown’s job to lose, though.

Key questions: Is he the best option? How accurate is he and what’s his long? How good is he with kickoffs?

Swing potential: He could win the starting job or back up a walk-on (or Boermeester, should he return).

Discuss on Trojan Talk

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17 FOR '17

No. 17: Andrew Vorhees

No. 16: Chris Hawkins

No. 15: Jamel Cook

No. 14: Vavae Malepeai

No. 13: Clayton Johnston

No. 12: Daniel Imatorbhebhe

No. 11: Josh Fatu

No. 10: Jordan Iosefa

No. 9: Deontay Burnett

No. 8: Marlon Tuipulotu

No. 7: Roy Hemsley & John Houston

No. 6: Chuma Edoga

No. 5: Jack Sears

No. 4: Matt Fink

No. 3: Michael Pittman

No. 2: Jack Jones

No. 1: Vaughns, Imatorbhebhe & Jones

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