USC Trojans Football: 5 players to watch in spring game

2 of 5

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Deontay Burnett (80) catches a 27-yard touchdown pass as Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) defends with 1:09 left during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The top two receivers from last year’s depth chart are now gone from USC. That leaves the door open for Deontay Burnett to stake his claim as the Trojans’ newest top-tier receiving threat. He enters the spring on his own high note.

Burnett caught 13 of Darnold’s Rose Bowl passes for a career-high 164 yards and three touchdowns in a breakout performance. Now he will look to maintain that level of performance over an entire campaign as USC’s number-one target.

So far this spring, Burnett has been having one stellar practice after another. He is latching onto almost everything Darnold has thrown his way, and has bailed his quarterback out a few times.

No other player on the team has nearly as much experience among the receiving corps, and thus the team’s fortunes in the passing game will depend largely on the tone that Burnett sets. If he can continue his run of form into the spring game and once fall begins, the Trojans could go far this season.

Home/USC Trojans