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USC Football: Way-too-early 2022 depth chart projection

By Jackson Caudell

Nov 27, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (1) battles for a pass against BYU Cougars defensive back Kaleb Hayes (18) in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (1) battles for a pass against BYU Cougars defensive back Kaleb Hayes (18) in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 3, 2018; Corvallis, OR, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Brandon Pili (91) and defensive lineman Christian Rector (89) sack Oregon State Beavers quarterback Jake Luton (6) during the second half at Reser Stadium. The Trojans beat the Beavers 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2018; Corvallis, OR, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Brandon Pili (91) and defensive lineman Christian Rector (89) sack Oregon State Beavers quarterback Jake Luton (6) during the second half at Reser Stadium. The Trojans beat the Beavers 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

Starting defensive ends: Tuli Tuipolotu, Korey Foreman
Backups: Nick Figueroa, Tyrone Taleni

Starting nose tackle: Brandon Pili
Backup: Earl Barquet

This is a position of concern for USC. There are not many guys that are talented enough to be able to contribute and USC should look to add more guys through the transfer portal after spring practice.

A couple of guys that played for the Trojans should be easy starters, but depth is going to be a major concern for the defensive line. New defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is going to deploy a 3-3-5 scheme and is going to need multiple impact players on the defensive line.

USC is not there yet.

At defensive end, Tuli Tuipolotu is the best lineman returning to USC and he will be the leader up front. Brandon Pili should fill in at nose tackle, but he is coming off of an injury and has had trouble staying healthy his entire time at USC. At the other end, former five-star recruit Korey Foreman will hopefully step up and take that spot. Foreman was inconsistent, but he has elite talent and the coaching staff needs to get it out of him.

Nick Figueroa should be the first guy in as a backup. Kansas State transfer Tyrone Taleni and TCU transfer Earl Barquet are going to be depended on to add some depth to the line.

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