USC’s five most important position battles

USC’s five most important position battles

QB

Connor Mitch vs. Everybody Else

Mitch is the most talented and the coaches are confident in him, but Steve Spurrier has held off on naming Mitch the No. 1 guy. He (rightly) wants to go through preseason and develop the backups, because they may be needed. Mitch simply doesn’t have that much experience, and he won’t until he gets out there on Sept. 3. If he’s good, that’s great, no problem, see you against Kentucky. If not, the backups’ reps in the preseason will come in handy.

LT

Brandon Shell vs. Mike Matulis/Mason Zandi

It was a surprise to see Shell listed as the starter at left tackle after starting the last three seasons at right tackle, but the coaches are making a calculated move – they need somebody big, powerful and experienced to protect the QB’s blind side, and that’s Shell. A move to left tackle early in his career didn’t work, but USC has to put its most talented lineman in the most important position. Matulis, who has the talent but has fought injuries, and the block-out-the-sun Zandi, who has played sparingly, are at right tackle. If Shell doesn’t take to LT this time, there will be an awful lot of inexperience at an awfully crucial position.

DT

Phillip Dukes vs. Ulric Jones

Dukes has played and played a lot, but the former four-star prospect (and national No. 101, according to Rivals.com) hasn’t had an impact, collecting a mere 37 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and no sacks in 31 games. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Jones had 43 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks in junior college last year, and has already created a buzz by offering some rather choice words to Clemson QB Deshaun Watson. Jon Hoke wants to see pressure from his linemen, and if Jones can offer that, Dukes might have a short stay on top of the depth chart.

RB

Brandon Wilds vs. David Williams

Wilds is physical, deceptively quick and has proven he can run hard in big games. Williams is the future, showing a lot when he played last year but having his chances lessened by a pass-heavy attack. There isn’t any doubt that Wilds will get the first carry of the season – if, in a line that’s been repeated through his career, he can stay healthy. Wilds has had legit injuries (there are no bruised ribs or toe pulls here) but if he goes down during his senior year, it’s going to give Williams the opportunity he’s craved.

SPUR

T.J. Gurley vs. Jasper Sasser

Spur/nickel/whatever Hoke wants to call it, it’s always been a position that’s flourished at USC and it needs to this year. The Gamecocks are still very unimpressive in the secondary, and the hybrid spot between the LBs and the DBs needs to be what it was in the days of Darian Stewart, DeVonte Holloman and Antonio Allen. Gurley is one of the most experienced defenders and has been known to lay a Swearinger-esque hit on any player who dares venture into his territory, while Sasser has sparse experience but has already established a penchant for big plays. He picked off a pair of passes in the spring game and his biggest play during the 2014 season was recovering a blocked punt at Florida that led to the game-tying touchdown. USC needs production in that spot.