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USC Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017 season

By Shane Lunnen

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: USC Trojans players look on against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: USC Trojans players look on against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starting Defensive Tackle: Malik Dorton
Backup: Kenny Bigelow

Like their offensive counterparts, the defensive front also has question marks. Junior Malik Dorton was the starter for 2016 at this spot so he probably will return as the starter.  The uncertainty is with Kenny Bigelow. He’s such a great talent, but missed the entire 2016 due to ACL injury. In fact he has had two ACL injuries in his career as a Trojan. Still one has to think the former five-star recruit will get playing time when he is healthy. It’s his final year so time to prove his worth.

Starting Nose Tackle: Marlon Tuipulotu
Backups: Josh Fatu, Kenny Bigelow

USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast is really going to miss departed nose tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu. He was a huge presence in his only season with the Trojans as a transfer from Utah and he often dictated double teams from opposing offenses. In his place could be freshman Marlon Tuipulotu. He enrolled early in January and has really caught on quick.

Josh Fatu battled Tuipulotu in the spring and even though Tuipulotu probably has a slight edge, Fatu should get some playing time in the rotation. Kind of cheating here, but putting Kenny Bigelow here as well because he’s a real wild card when it comes to the front three.

Starting Defensive End: Rasheem Green
Backup: Christian Rector

Junior Rasheem Green is locked in at the defensive end spot. He started 12 games last year and earned All Pac-12 honorable mention while leading the team in sacks (6) and forced fumbles (2). The coaches are going to be looking for him to make an even bigger leap this year and be a leader along the line. He could be an All-American candidate if he steps up his game to the next level.

Christian Rector saw a lot of playing time in the rotation during the spring so he should provide a solid backup to Green. Also possible Rector rotates over to the other end spot part of the time.

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