USC’s offense—which averaged 455 total yards, including a school-record 335 passing yards, and 32 points a game—returns its top 3 passers, top 6 rushers, 7 of its top 8 pass catchers and 3 starting linemen from 2019. Quarterback Kedon Slovis, who was the 2019 Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American first teamer, completed a Pac-12 record and NCAA freshman record 71.9% of his passes for a USC frosh record 3,502 yards with 30 TDs to rank in the national Top 20 in completion percentage, passing yards, completions, passing efficiency, passing TDs and total offense. Wide receivers Amon- Ra St. Brown (77 catches) and Tyler Vaughns (74) each hauled in 6 touchdowns last fall, while Drake London added 5 TDs among his 39 grabs. Tailbacks Vavae Malepeai, Stephen Carr, Markese Stepp and Kenan Christon combined for 1,579 rushing yards with 16 scores last year. Tight ends Erik Krommenhoek, Josh Falo and Daniel Imatorbhebhe (he sat out the past 2 years while injured) have 58 career receptions among them. Six linemen—All-Pac-12 first teamer Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jalen McKenzie, Andrew Vorhees, Liam Jimmons, Brett Neilon and Justin Dedich—have extensive starting experience.
The Trojan defense welcomes back 12 of its top 13 tacklers from 2019, as well as its leaders in sacks, tackles for loss, interceptions, deflections and forced fumbles. The defensive line is anchored by All-Pac-12 first teamer Jay Tufele, Freshman All-American first team pick Drake Jackson, 2-year starter Marlon Tuipulotu and often-used Brandon Pili. Inside linebackers Palaie Gaoteote IV and Kana’i Mauga together tallied 119 tackles in 2019, while Jordan Iosefa was set to start last fall before being sidelined by injury. Safeties Talanoa Hufanga (90) and Isaiah Pola-Mao (73) were second and third on USC in tackles last year, while Pola-Mao added a team-best 4 picks. Cornerbacks Olaijah Griffin (team-high 9 deflections), Greg Johnson (at nickelback), Isaac Taylor-Stuart and Chris Steele all saw plenty of action in 2019.
Almost all of USC’s 2019 specialists return: placekicker Chase McGrath, who has 32 career field goals, Aussie punter Ben Griffiths (41.2 average in 2019), who doubles as the holder, kickoff specialist Alex Stadthaus, 3-year starting long snapper Damon Johnson and punt returners Tyler Vaughns and Amon-Ra St. Brown.