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USC football: 3 second-year players who’ll become stars in 2023

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans running back Raleek Brown (14) in action during the game between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans running back Raleek Brown (14) in action during the game between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Calen Bullock (7) and defensive back Zion Branch (8) react following the loss against the Utah Utes in the PAC-12 Football Championship at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Calen Bullock (7) and defensive back Zion Branch (8) react following the loss against the Utah Utes in the PAC-12 Football Championship at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Zion Branch came to USC as the Trojans’ second-best defensive back prospect in the class and he probably expected to see the field extensively in year one, but that wasn’t the case.

Branch didn’t record any stats and was redshirting for the Trojans and now that the defense will be looking to improve on that horrid 264 passing yards allowed per game, Branch is going to be one of the major upgrades in the defensive backfield. Alex Grinch will have to utilize a guy like Branch in order to save his job this upcoming season. He’s too good to keep off the field.

The second-year player and former No. 58 overall recruit and sixth-best safety in the 2022 class, per the composite, looks to be the starter at safety next season and the Trojans should be much better against the pass with him on the field.

We’ll see him team up with another 2022 class star in the defensive backfield to improve that USC defense.

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