Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve been fielding your questions for our Mailbag Monday feature, so let’s celebrate the start of the work week by getting right into the burning topics on USC Football, as editor Michael Castillo answers your questions.

Chevyn from Facebook asks: Is USC going to be able to land Matthew Thomas?

Michael: At this point, it looks like Florida State is going to hold firm and not release Thomas over fears of setting precedence. Though, there is a precedence of five-stars leaving before enrolling, with there being three notable cases of five-stars seeking releases of late. Seantrel Henderson was outright released by USC in 2010, as was Delvon Simmons from North Carolina in 2011. Chris Martin, who signed with Cal in 2010, wasn’t granted a release from Jeff Tedford and had to go through the typical NCAA transfer process, which saw him sit out a year before having eligibility at Florida. Right now, it looks like Thomas is going wind up going the way of Martin and get forced to sit out a year. Should that happen, expect a 60-40 chance that Thomas lands in Georgia over USC. He has family in the state of Georgia and it could be family compromise to play for the Bulldogs. But with as fluid as this story has been, it’s still anyone’s guess where he plays in 2013, 2014 or even 2015 for that matter.

Jon from Facebook asks: Of the new 13 new kids, how many are expected to redshirt?

Michael: Barring medical redshirts, the immediate one that comes to mind is Nico Falah. Not only does he likely need the extra year to fill out physically, but there isn’t a place on the depth chart for him to contribute to immediately. The same could be said for Khaliel Rodgers in terms of playing time, but expect him to compete at center and get some time there in camp, even with Marcus Martin, Max Tuerk and Cyrus Hobbi getting reps. Also, if Max Browne and Ty Isaac outright lose position battles in camp, it might beneficial for Lane Kiffin to redshirt them to save roster space for 2014 and beyond, especially Browne.

@retired728 from Twitter asks: How critical is the depth at DT?

Michael: I think it’s an overstated concern that is getting too much talk, to be perfectly honest. Leonard Williams, Antwaun Woods and George Uko return, Kenny Bigelow joins the fray, Cody Temple returns from an injury, as does J.R. Tavai. There’s going to be shuffling on the line, and even though there’s now three defensive tackle positions in the 5-2 scheme, Clancy Pendergast has some flexibility to move round guys if he needs to.

Brandon from Facebook asks: Is USC going to have another receiver shine to offset the pressure that Lee brings and help spread the field around more to open the offense up a bit?

Michael: They’re going to need to if they want to avoid being one-dimensional. Nelson Agholor is the obvious choice to replace Robert Woods, but don’t discount Darreus Rogers. He’s a prototypical split end that could very well be a Keary Colbert or Windrell Hayes-type possession receiver for the Trojans, which would compliment Marqise Lee nicely. Then there’s Steven Mitchell, who very much resembles Agholor, only smaller and perhaps more agile. He is probably your ideal slot receiver, though the Trojans typically utilize tight ends in the slot, as opposed to receivers.

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Most important player: USC Trojans
(Kevin Gemmell | ESPN Pac-12 Blog )

So why Kennard over, say, Morgan Breslin or Leonard Williams or Dion Bailey (who by the way should flourish back at his natural safety spot)? Because Kennard could blow up in 2013 in this new scheme. There is going to be so much focus on Breslin — we know what we’re getting with him — that Kennard is going to get plenty of one-on-one opportunities to make plays in the backfield and/or stuff the run.

Buffalo Bills “In Conversation” to Start Robert Woods as No. 2 Receiver
(Josh Hill | FanSided)

The Bills obviously aren’t going to rush the decision to start Woods, but he’s got the chops to do so and the time spent between now and the beginning of the season can go a long way in preparing him to be one half of a potentially deadly receiving duo. But for now, Woods says he’s just trying to get settled in with the Bills and their new system. “Right now it’s just trying to catch the pace and the rhythm and keep it going,” Woods said, via WRG 550 AM. “Right now we’re just setting the fundamentals of the game. It’s going to get different when the whole team comes back.”

Breaking Down 2014 Offers by the Numbers
(Rick McMahan | Bleacher Report )

At least early on, there are specific units that are being targeted for re-stocking and in looking at the 2013 roster; it is easy to see how graduation and reduced numbers to start with are mandating increased attention in these areas. Obvious units of need—such as defensive line—are receiving increased attention while others, well, not so much.

Ole Miss Offers Juju Smith
(Ricky Widmer | FanSided 150 )

2014 athlete John “Juju” Smith received another offer from the Ole Miss Rebels. Smith is the 2nd best athlete and California recruit. He is also ranked 39th on the Fansided150 2014 Football Rankings.Out of eight predictions, the 247 Sports Crystal Ball currently has Notre Dame and USC as the favorites to land the 2014 recruit. Although the Irish and Trojans are the leaders, some of the experts are predicting UCLA to make a push when it comes to Smith.

Tweets of Note

Lakeland (Fla.) Lake Gibson safety Kendall Gant tells me #USC assistant Ed Orgeron offered him a scholarship today es.pn/10oosMp

— Blair Angulo (@bangulo) May 14, 2013

2014 CB Denzel Fisher of Compton Centennial –> RT @denzelfish: USC and San Jose State visited practice !

— Blair Angulo (@bangulo) May 15, 2013

Per @bellevuefb, USC has offered Budda Baker

— Scott Enyeart (@ScottEnyeart) May 15, 2013

Alright gang, it’s time to board the Twitter Express! Join us while we peruse some of the best bits from your favorite Trojans. Remember, retweets are not endorsements, and neither are embeds. So punch your tickets, and let’s get this show on the road:

These @eagles vets are fantastic! True pros who love the game and are always trying to get better

— Matthew Barkley (@MattBarkley) May 13, 2013

Awesome getting to meet and interact with the vets today.There is so much to learn and it’s awesome being around knowledgable pros!

— Khaled Holmes (@KhaledHolmes) May 13, 2013

Fish doesn’t want to win a ring without @kobebryant . Come on now guys. Of course he was going to turn that over. #LakerForLife

— Taylor Ashton (@TaylorAshton17) May 14, 2013

Well that explains everything.

Ugh RT @_happy_gilmore: Here’s the gif of Bryce Harper running face first into the wall and dying -> bit.ly/16w51FL #prayers

— Alex Holmes (@Trojan81) May 14, 2013

Yikes!

Ghetto politics on my timeline all the time lol. All irrelevant everything.

— Tony Burnett (@NoCutz) May 14, 2013

Yes, that.

One of my favorite letters to write was a capital L. Just awesome look to it.

— Taylor Ashton (@TaylorAshton17) May 14, 2013

It is a pretty nice letter.

Hitting my squabble In Tampa …

— Nelson Agholor (@NelsonAgh15) May 14, 2013

…squabble?

I HATE when people stand UNDER my a** in line…. Chipotle is FAMOUS for this mess…. CAN I LIVE?

— Dominique Byrd (@TheRealDByrd) May 14, 2013

Hey. The push for chicken burritos is REAL.

Had a great weekend up in Seattle for #rookieminicamp Such a great opportunity that I’ll never forget… instagram.com/p/ZRqX0BKsxc/

— Drew McAllister (@DMAC_19) May 14, 2013

Good luck, Mr. McAllister!

Everyone ease go read this article written on my former teammate & good friend Rhett Ellison athletesquarterly.com/athletes/rhett…

— Emon Saee (@SaeeUSC17) May 14, 2013

Well, if you insist.

Instead of celebrating how crazy Titus Young is, why doesn’t someone help him? Media making fun of him isn’t helping.

— Alex Holmes (@Trojan81) May 14, 2013

Excellent point, Mr. Holmes.

I think I should be a pro wrestler

— Zack Kusnir (@REAL_ZackKusnir) May 13, 2013

Well you do have the look.

Do you have any goals? Or u just out here?

— Tony Burnett (@NoCutz) May 13, 2013

Did anyone else see what OJ looks like now??? Wow

— Kevin Greene (@KevinGreene81) May 13, 2013

The mighty have fallen. HARD.

Summer has officially begun! Just finished last final!

— Leonard Williams (@LWtrojan94) May 13, 2013

Way to handle that first year of college. One down, three to go!

Ladies: If you’re a Cancer, tell me ahead of time….. give me a chance to run

— Dominique Byrd (@TheRealDByrd) May 13, 2013

Welp. I guess I am out of the running.