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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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Defensive Back

Starting safeties: Chris Hawkins, Marvell Tell
Backups: Matt Lopes, C.J. Pollard

Chris Hawkins has been a staple in the USC secondary for the last three years, playing the last two at strong safety. He was a full-time starter in 2015 but his playing time was cut down last year, starting only four games. He has 146 tackles and 3 interceptions in his collegiate career and is looking to go out with his best year in 2017.

Marvell Tell started all 13 games last year at free safety for the Trojans so he’s entrenched here again. The now-junior has 79 tackles and an interception through two seasons.

Redshirt senior and former walk-on Matt Lopes had a really good spring. While he won’t be surpassing the two starters, he definitely will be in the rotation this fall along with redshirt freshman C.J. Pollard. While not listed as a backup, keep an eye on highly touted incoming freshman Bubba Bolden. He may be in line for some quality snaps if he has a good fall camp.

Starting cornerbacks: Iman Marshall, Jack Jones
Backups: Jonathan Lockett, Ajene Harris, Isaiah Langley

Replacing Adoree’ Jackson, who left early for the NFL, is no easy task. However junior Iman Marshall has assumed the role as the team’s top cornerback. He’s coming off a 52-tackle and three-interception season, looking to build off that success.

Opposite of Marshall could be Isaiah Langley. He and Jack Jones had a battle in the spring for the second cornerback spot. Jones probably has a little more upside talent wise, but Langley is right there. These two are really interchangeable and both should receive quality playing time this fall.

Behind both Langley and Jones, there is junior Ajene Harris. Last year, he was used a lot in the nickel formation where he posted 27 tackles and two interceptions. He should continue to be a solid player in the secondary. Senior Jonathan Lockett underwent surgery to repair a hip issue at the end of last year and he was out for the spring practices. He should be back contributing this fall.

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