The how, the who's and even some what's still need to come into focus, but it seems a safe bet that one way or another USC's offense is going to be highly compelling in 2022 with Lincoln Riley at the helm.
Again, let's refer to Exhibit A:
Riley's offenses at Oklahoma as coordinator and head coach, in terms of yards per game production and national rank, from 2015-21: 530.2 YPG (7th nationally), 554.8 (2nd), 579.6 (1st), 570.3 (1st), 537.6 (3rd), 494.7 (11th) and 450.1 (18th). And by scoring average: 43.5 PPG (4th), 43.9 (3rd), 45.1 (3rd), 48.4 (1st), 42.1 (6th), 43.0 (6th) and 39.1 (8th).
Can the Trojans fall anywhere on that spectrum? Even if they're close to the bottom end of that production in Year 1 it will put a jolt in the Coliseum.
We went position-by-position on the offensive side, sizing up the key storylines. Catch up on those stories here:
QB | USC coaches highlight the quality they feel sets QB Caleb Williams apart
OL | USC OL coach Josh Henson talks recruiting approach to rebuild line
RB | Kiel McDonald promises 'one of the most competitive' RB groups nationally
WR | Deep dive into USC's revamped receiving corps and the coaches shaping it
TE | Assessing USC's TE personnel: 'The TEs play a huge role in this offense'
Putting all of that together, let's look at the offense as a whole, how we project the depth chart at this point and more storylines we'll be focused on come spring practice.
RELATED: USC Spring Practice: Defensive preview, projected depth chart, storylines
Projected USC offensive depth chart
Note: Many players on this list received a free extra year of eligibility due to the 2020 COVID season, but their class standing reflects the natural progression of their years in the program. See attached notes for clarification on actual remaining years of eligibility, where relevant.
Quarterback
1. Caleb Williams, sophomore
2. Miller Moss, redshirt freshman
(Mo Hasan, redshirt senior (Out with Achilles injury, status for season unknown)
There won't be any easier projection on any pre-spring depth chart nationally. The only question is whether USC finds a way to bring in another scholarship quarterback for depth in light of Hasan's Achilles injury. That's going to be much harder than one might think. QBs generally only transfer for better playing time opportunities, and the Trojans can't offer that with Williams in place for two more years and five-star prospect Malachi Nelson arriving in 2023, not to overlook the reality that Moss was a highly-coveted four-star prospect who retains plenty of intriguing upside. Depth will likely be the only issue at this position, but it is an issue if injuries strike.
Running back
1. Travis Dye, redshirt senior
2A. Darwin Barlow, redshirt junior (but with 3 years of eligibility)
2B. Austin Jones, senior (2 years of eligibility)
(All-purpose back Raleek Brown arrives in the summer)
There is some guesswork involved here and this should be among the most intriguing competitions of spring and fall camp. For now, we'll give the nod to the guy with 3,111 career rushing yards, 869 receiving yards and 29 total touchdowns. While the new staff is responsible for bringing Jones here, we're not ready to slot him over Barlow, who has averaged 5.2 yards per carry in his career going back to TCU -- a full 1.0 YPG better than Jones. Barlow transferred to USC last year with the idea that he would be in line to start this season after Keaontay Ingram left for the NFL. That's been complicated now by the high-profile transfer additions, but we still like his chances to have a significant role. That top-loaded depth chart chased redshirt freshman Brandon Campbell into the transfer portal about a week before spring practice.
Also note, we're not putting incoming five-star freshman Raleek Brown on this list, as he figures to start out operating more out of the slot. He could receive carries, especially of the jet sweep variety, but until we have more clarity on his usage our assumption remains that he won't actually be part of the true running back competition right away. (He also doesn't arrive until the summer).
Tight end/H-back
1. Jude Wolfe, redshirt junior
2. Lake McRee, redshirt freshman
3A. Malcolm Epps, redshirt senior (2 years of eligibility)
3B. Josh Falo, redshirt senior
5. Ethan Rae, redshirt junior
As we noted in the tight end story, this is the hardest position group to project because Riley's Oklahoma offenses relied heavily on more of an H-back in 6-foot-2, 248-pound Jeremiah Hall, who was often used as a lead blocker on run plays but was significantly involved in the passing game as well. Before Hall emerged the last three years, the Sooners had a true fullback involved, speaking to the priority they put on supporting the running game. USC doesn't have anybody who totally fits that mold, as they've recruited for different needs at the tight end position. Wolfe, who was primarily a blocking tight end in high school but also is a capable pass-catcher, shares the most overlapping traits with what would generally fit a Riley offense -- but not exactly. So, until we see the offense in action this spring, there's a lot of guesswork here. But McRee outplayed Epps last season in his limited chances and projects as a better blocker, so we'll give him the nod behind Wolfe for now. There's also room for a second tight end on the field in this offense, but with the depth at receiver that doesn't seem like the best use of personnel for this team.
