Breaking down the USC Football depth chart by star rating

USC Football’s official depth chart for the 2017 season includes a loaded two-deep of five- and four-star talent, with three-star overachievers.

With a roster filled via four-straight Top 10 recruiting classes, it’s no surprise to see a USC Football depth chart that is stocked full of elite talent.

The Trojan two-deep features five former five-star prospects, 26 four-stars, 14 three-stars and one former walk-on. They’re be looking to deliver on the promise of all that ability in 2017.

Here’s a breakdown of USC’s 2017 two-deep, including star ratings and national recruiting ranks, per the 247Sports composite.

Note: USC’s official depth chart includes a bevy of OR designations in backup positions. To compile a true two-deep, backups were limited to players with the best chance to contribute.

Offense

Wide Receiver:

Jalen Greene (RS-Jr.) ★★★ [483]Tyler Vaughns (RS-Fr.) ★★★★ [35]

Slot Receiver:

Deontay Burnett (So.) ★★★ [690]Velus Jones Jr. (RS-Fr.) ★★★ [465]

Tight End:

Tyler Petite (Jr.) ★★★★ [209] ANDDaniel Imatorbhebhe (RS-So.) ★★★ [603]

Right Tackle:

Chuma Edoga (Jr.) ★★★★★ [27]Clayton Johnston (RS-So.) ★★★★ [327]

Right Guard:

Viane Talamaivao (Sr.) ★★★★ [86]Jordan Austin (RS-Jr.) ★★★★ [1017]

Center:

Nico Falah (RS-Sr.) ★★★★ [216]Cole Smith (RS-So.) ★★★★ [580]

Left Guard:

Chris Brown (RS-Jr.) ★★★★ [232]Roy Hemsley (RS-So.) ★★★ [354]

Left Tackle:

Toa Lobendahn (RS-Jr.) ★★★★ [131]Austin Jackson (Fr.) ★★★★ [35]

Wide Receiver:

Steven Mitchell (RS-Sr.) ★★★★ [67]Michael Pittman (So.) ★★★★ [72]

Quarterback:

Sam Darnold (RS-So.) ★★★★ [148]Matt Fink (RS-Fr.) ★★★ [473]

Running Back:

Ronald Jones II (Jr.) ★★★★ [40]Aca’Cedric Ware (Jr.) ★★★ [486]

Defense

Strongside Linebacker:

Uchenna Nwosu (Sr.) ★★★ [861]Oluwole Betiku (So.) ★★★★★ [16]

Defensive End:

Rasheem Green (Jr.) ★★★★★ [24]Christian Rector (RS-So.) ★★★ [443]

Nose Tackle:

Josh Fatu (Sr.) ★★★ [165*]Marlon Tuipulotu (Fr.) ★★★★ [60]

Defensive Tackle:

Malik Dorton (RS-Jr.) ★★★ [420]Liam Jimmons (RS-Fr.) ★★★ [952]

Predator Linebacker:

Porter Gustin (Jr.) ★★★★ [42]Connor Murphy (So.) ★★★★ [259]

Middle Linebacker:

Cameron Smith (Jr.) ★★★★ [190]Jordan Iosefa (So.) ★★★ [784]

Weakside Linebacker:

John Houston (RS-So.) ★★★★ [50]Levi Jones (Fr.) ★★★★ [93]

Cornerback:

Iman Marshall (Jr.) ★★★★★ [4]Jamel Cook (RS-Fr.) ★★★★ [100]

Nickelback:

Ajene Harris (RS-Jr.) ★★★ [1497]Ykili Ross (RS-So.) ★★★★ [85]

Strong Safety:

Chris Hawkins (RS-Sr.) ★★★★ [51]C.J. Pollard (RS-Fr.) ★★★★ [297]

Free Safety:

Marvell Tell III (Jr.) ★★★★ [61]Matt Lopes (RS-Sr.) N/A

Cornerback:

Jack Jones (So.) ★★★★★ [22]Isaiah Langley (Jr.) ★★★★ [98]

The average national ranking for USC’s offensive two-deep is 308. On defense, that number is 285. Across both sides of the ball, the Trojans’ average ranking is 296, meaning USC averages a Top 300 recruit.

More from Reign of Troy

Nearly half of the Trojans’ 46-man two-deep ranked in the Top 100 of their respective recruiting classes.

USC’s average star rating on the 2017 two-deep is 3.8.

At the start of the 2016 season, 70 percent of the players on USC’s two-deep were former four- or five-star prospects.

This year, the Trojans boast elite prospects across 67 percent of the line up despite the departure of former five-stars like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Adoree’ Jackson, Leon McQuay III and Max Browne.

CHECK OUT: 20 Best Three-Star Recruits in USC History

Meanwhile, three-star overachievers like Deontay Burnett, Daniel Imatorbhebhe, Uchenna Nwosu and Ajene Harris are set to play major roles for USC in 2017 as well.

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