Tyson Helton and a New Look for USC Offense in 2016

New USC coach Clay Helton has set about to reshape the Trojan Program with his brother Tyson Helton helping the offense underlining Faith, Family and Football.

Shortly after it was announced that he would be hired on a full-time basis, Helton instilled the core program values of Faith, Family and Football at USC.

Along with honoring the football side of things by hiring respected coach Neil Callaway to oversee the offensive line, and promoting wide receivers coach Tee Martin to offensive coordinator, Helton went with his family, as he brought in his brother Tyson to be the pass game coordinator.

This understated move should have the USC offense moving the ball and scoring points in bunches this fall.

In his previous stint as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky, Tyson Helton oversaw a 2015 attack that finished ninth in total offense, fourth in passing, and third in scoring among all FBS programs.

The offense featured elements of both a wide-open no-huddle offense, and the power-run game.

Under Tyson Helton’s guidance, the Trojans expect to run a diverse, up-tempo scheme.

The Hilltoppers’ scheme utilized not only multiple three and four receiver sets, but also two-tight-end and two-back formations, designed to spread the field and give receivers and running backs the ability to operate in space.

Under Tyson Helton’s guidance, the Trojans expect to run a diverse, up-tempo scheme providing ample opportunities for USC’s deep and talented receiving corps, led by Biletnikoff Award candidate Juju Smith-Schuster and proven veterans, like Darreus Rogers and Steven Mitchell.

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It’s clear by watching the younger Helton at practice that he is excited about the players his offense will feature this fall.

“The talent here is a lot better, and when I say, ‘a lot better’, I’m talking about overall,” Helton said early in camp. “You’ve got to count the offensive line, the depth in the running back position and all of that. At Western, we had several guys that were high-caliber and potential pro players. Here, you’re dealing with sure NFL football players.”

Indeed, this year’s USC roster is far deeper than in recent years.

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Along the offensive line alone, the Trojans return six veteran players with extensive game experience. center Toa Lobendahn appears on the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy.

Even with a deep and skilled receiving corps, the USC coaching staff plans to take full advantage of its talent in the trenches by running the ball early and often this season.

Sophomore Reuben Peters brings a return of the fullback position that was, at times, lost under previous head coach Steve Sarkisian.

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He will help the offensive line pave the way for a deep running back unit led by Justin Davis and Ronald Jones II, who combined to rush for 15 Touchdowns and more than 1,889 yards last year.

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“This is the best group that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Davis said “I think that we have a lot of talent, a great O-line in front of us that will allow us to use our God-given abilities and run..”

Although the Trojans will be breaking in a new quarterback, many of the elements of a successful offense are still in place at USC, with a physical and experienced offensive line, a ground game capable of running around and through defenses, and a deep receiving corps with big-play ability.

Tyson Helton’s input, coupled with familiar talent, means the Spirit of Troy will have plenty of opportunities to make themselves heard this fall, celebrating first downs and touchdowns often in 2016.