Three essential players USC can't afford to lose in 2024

In the game of football, injuries always play a role in how a season unfolds. USC was reminded of that fact in 2023.

This year, the Trojans are hoping for better luck in that regard. Of course, with the brevity of the college football season, any injury that costs a player to miss even one game is significant. That's why the training staff of each program is usually the unsung hero of the entire operation.

With that said, injuries are unavoidable. That's where a program's depth comes into play. This year, the Trojans are stocked with talent at key positions such as quarterback, wide receiver, and running back so should an injury pop up at one of those spots, there's hope that the next man up will be able to step in and provide some key snaps.

At other positions, though, the Trojans must stay healthy. So let's look at the three players that Lincoln Riley and Co. can least afford to lose this season.

Kamari Ramsey, S

We begin by examining the importance of a new face to the program, UCLA transfer Kamari Ramsey. Though the USC secondary is fairly well stocked with talented players, this sophomore safety is a star in the making and he could be the leader of the defensive backfield in his first season with the Trojans.

That's because Ramsey played for new USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn last season. In the process, he racked up 40 tackles with five pass breakups and one interception.

This year, he could be in for a huge jump as players typically make significant progress in their second year of starting in college football, especially those who play a ton of snaps as a freshman as Ramsey did in 2023.

With former starters Max Williams and Calen Bullock gone, Ramsey instantly becomes a leader given his experience in this defensive scheme. If he goes down, Lynn will lose his security blanket in the secondary and that could lead to more miserable defensive performances like Trojan fans saw last season given that the rest of the secondary is bound to have some growing pains as they learn how to execute Lynn's system.

Bear Alexander, DT

Over the offseason, defensive tackle Bear Alexander provided plenty of drama with his flirtation with the transfer portal. Now, the former transfer from Georgia must be a foundational pillar for the Trojan defense in 2024 and make everyone forget that he ever thought about leaving Southern California.

In the Big Ten, USC will have to stop the run. That was a major issue last year as the Trojans ranked 116th nationally against the run giving up 186.5 yards per game on the ground.

If the 2024 run defense is going to be better, Alexander has to be the type of dominant player that he's been projected to be since he left high school. What's more, if he has to miss time, there's not a clear solution behind him.

Vanderbilt transfer Nate Clifton and Wyoming transfer Gavin Meyer could be nice rotational pieces at defensive tackle but they won't be able to dominate in the Big Ten the way Alexander should. What's more, the rest of the depth at the position is unproven at the college level other than Jamil Muhammad who didn't exactly light the world on fire last year.

Alexander should be the focal point of opposing offensive lines and he will draw plenty of double teams thus allowing his D-line teammates to have one-on-one matchups. What's more, he should be able to be a disruptive force for the Trojans and that's something that no other defensive tackle on the roster can provide.

Jonah Monheim, OL

There is no arguing that the USC offensive line was a disappointment last season. In fact, USC ranked 98th in America by giving up 2.54 sacks per game in 2023.

This year, Jonah Monheim, the program's best lineman has moved to center where he is expected to anchor an improved group. And as the best O-lineman on the roster, he has to be a weekly staple for Riley's squad.

Many feel Monheim has a future at center in the NFL. Finding linemen of that caliber isn't easy so he must be the glue that holds the rest of the offensive line together.

Don't forget that USC has a major question to answer at right guard. Right now, we don't know who will man that role. But whoever lines up there will be greatly aided by playing next to a player of Monheim's caliber.

In the Big Ten, USC will face larger and better defensive lines than it saw most weeks in the PAC-12. Thus, Monheim will be essential to the team's success. He is the program's best offensive lineman and losing him would cause an already questionable group to have to shuffle the deck again and that's something that the Trojans can't afford in 2024.