USC Spring Depth Chart: The Offense

Apr 13, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Max Wittek (13) and coach Lane Kiffin during the spring game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

USC Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin released the 2013 spring depth chart on Monday, after the conclusion of spring camp.

As expected, a definitive starter at the quarterback position is not listed, and a few other positions have co-starters listed as well.

Here’s a look at the 2013 Spring Depth Chart for the offense:

KEY:Projected 2013 starters in bold“OR” indicates co-startersFall 2013 enrollees listed alphabetically in (parentheses)“#” indicates the coaches could not evaluate that player during the spring“*” indicates players that missed a significant part of 2013 spring campCAPS indicates returning 2012 starters“^” indicates co-starters in 2012

OFFENSE

LEFT TACKLEAundrey Walker^Nathan Guertler(Nico Falah)

LEFT GUARDMAX TUERK^Giovanni Di PoaloErick Jepsen(Khaliel Rodgers)

CENTERMARCUS MARTINCyrus Hobbi

RIGHT GUARDJOHN MARTINEZJordan SimmonsDavid Garness

RIGHT TACKLEKEVIN GRAF ORChad Wheeler*Zach Banner

TIGHT ENDXAVIER GRIMBLE^* ORRANDALL TELFER^*Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick

WIDE RECEIVERMARQISE LEEDarreus Rogers*Victor BlackwellRobby KolanzGeorge Farmer*

QUARTERBACKMax Wittek ORCody Kessler ORMax BrowneConner Sullivan#

FULLBACKSOMA VAINUKU ORJahleel PinnerSimione Vehikite

TAILBACKSILAS REDD^* ORJustin Davis ORTre Madden*D.J. Morgan ORJavorius AllenJohn Akiba# ORTaylor Ross# ORAlec Jaffe#(Ty Isaac)

WIDE RECEIVERNelson AgholorDe’Von FlournoyGeorge Katrib*Cody Skene ORChristian Tober(Steven Mitchell)

In looking at the offensive portion of the depth chart,a few things are worth noting. First, Kiffin has listed Silas Redd, Justin Davis and Tre Madden as co-starters, which suggests an interesting battle for the starting job come the fall. Davis easily had the best spring of the running backs, and of all the players on the team as a whole. He utilized his increased reps when Redd went down with a torn meniscus to show that he has very good hands and that he is ready to step up despite his inexperience. Madden we didn’t get to see much of because he was not cleared for contact following an ACL injury last season, but the fact that he could start speaks volume about the faith that Kiffin has in this athlete. Redd will certainly have his work cut out for him when fall camp begins in August.

Next, there’s the listing of Kevin Graf and Chad Wheeler as co-starters at right tackle. Graf has been a two-year starter in Troy, but according to coach Kiffin, he had an “up-and-down” spring this year. Conversely, Wheeler had a “great spring” per the head coach, so much so that it propelled him up the depth chart.

Kiffin elected not to name a starter at the end of spring camp–as expected–but he did list Max Wittek first, which is interesting. Cody Kessler had the most impressive showing in the spring game, and it could be argued that he is the most deserving of the spot. However, we will have to wait to see who be given the honor of becoming the new face of USC football once this saga culminates in August.

For a look at the defensive portion of the 2013 Spring Depth Chart, click here.