USC football drops first 2020 depth chart with new-look defensive front

USC football released the first official 2020 depth chart featuring new starters along the defensive front and a change at kicker.

The first 2020 depth chart for USC football has finally arrived and it’s plenty intriguing.

The Trojans will take on ASU on Saturday with a familiar offensive lineup and some new faces on defense.

The offensive line will take the field as expected: Alijah Vera-Tucker is the left tackle, Andrew Vorhees is the left guard, Brett Neilon is the center, Liam Jimmons is the right guard and Jalen McKenzie is the right tackle.

The defensive line, however, is not exactly as planned. Marlon Tuipulotu will start at nose tackle with Brandon Pili serving in a backup role once again instead of elevating into the starting lineup. That distinction will belong to Nick Figueroa, who gets the start at defensive end, with Caleb Tremblay starting at defensive tackle.

Ralen Goforth will partner with Palaie Gaoteote as the starting inside linebackers.

There’s also a surprise on special teams, where freshman Parker Lewis beat out incumbent starters Chase McGrath and Alex Stadhaus to handle USC’s placekicking and kickoff duties.

USC football’s new 2020 depth chart:

QB

Kedon SlovisMatt Fink

B

Vavae Malepeai ORMarkese Stepp

R

Stephen Carr ORKenan Christon

X

Amon-Ra St. BrownJoshua Jackson Jr.

Y

Drake LondonJohn Jackson III

H

Erik KrommenhoekJude Wolfe

Z

Tyler VaughnsBru McCoy

A

Amon-Ra St. BrownGary Bryant Jr.

LT

Alijah Vera-TuckerCasey Collier

LG

Andrew VorheesLiam Douglass

C

Brett NeilonJustin Dedich

RG

Liam JimmonsCourtland Ford

RT

Jalen McKenzieJonah Monheim

END

Nick FigueroaTuli Tuipulotu

NOSE

Marlon TuipulotuBrandon PiliKobe Pepe

TACKLE

Caleb TremblayConnor Murphy

B BACKER

Drake JacksonHunter Echols ORAbdul-Malik McClain

MAC

Ralen GoforthKana’i Mauga

ROVER

Palaie Gaoteote IVRaymond Scott

NICKEL

Greg JohnsonMax Williams

FS

Isaiah Pola-MaoChase Williams

SS

Talanoa HufangaMicah Croom

LC

Olaijah GriffinDorian Hewett ORJayden Williams

RC

Chris SteeleIsaac Taylor-Stuart

PK

Parker LewisChase McGrath

P

Ben GriffithsWill Rose

KO

Parker LewisMichael Brown ORAlex Stadthaus

SNP

Damon JohnsonJac Casasante

HLD

Ben GriffithsWill Rose

PR

Amon-Ra St. BrownTyler VaughnsOlaijah GriffinGary Bryant Jr.

KOR

Amon-Ra St. BrownStephen CarrOlaijah GriffinKenan Christon

It’s noteworthy that USC is listing two positions for running backs, apparently splitting duties based on style with Vavae Malepeai and Markese Stepp as power options and Stephen Carr and Kenan Christon as speedsters.

Amon-Ra St. Brown starts at two receiving positions, on the outside and in the slot. Bru McCoy is the understudy to Tyler Vaughns in an outside role.

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There aren’t a ton of major surprises on the depth chart but there are some missing names. Walk-on Darmouth grad transfer Micah Coom made the cut over the likes of Briton Allen, Kaulana Makaula and others. Tight end Josh Falo isn’t listed on the two-deep, nor is Tayler Katoa, who just returned from his two-year Mormon mission.