USC Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

High expectations followed Rasheem Green when he signed with the Trojans in 2015.  It comes with the territory when you are a five-star recruit, especially to a program like USC. He played in eight games during his freshman year, recording 19 tackles, one for a loss and a half-sack. The highlight for him that year though was his fumble recovery against UCLA and his subsequent 31-yard scamper into the end zone.

In 2016 he started 12 games and recorded 55 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles. He led the team in the two latter categories and it was enough to earn him an All Pac-12 honorable mention.

Now it’s time for Green to put it all together in his junior year and have a huge year. He’s certainly primed for it and he’ll be expected to be a leader this year on the defense.

Coming into fall camp, he was the only starter along the defensive front that was solidified. If he can develop his game into being a consistent force and game changer every down, the rewards will follow. He needs to bring his ‘A’ game this fall for the Trojans to have a great defense.