2010 LOOK AHEAD: Even before the upheaval of coach Pete Carroll leaving for the Seattle Seahawks, USC figured to be picked second in the Pac-10 behind Oregon. The Ducks have more experience than USC coming back, and the Trojans have many questions to answer beyond Lane Kiffin's coaching abilities. USC lost six senior starters, and three players early to the NFL -- leading WR Damian Williams, RB Joe McKnight and DE Everson Griffen. DT Jurrell Casey (nine tackles for loss) and DE Nick Perry (eight sacks) should be forces up front, and the starting linebackers, led by Malcolm Smith (72 tackles) and Chris Galippo (70) return intact. Much will depend on the maturation of QB Matt Barkley, who will be surrounded by flashy new skill players. USC opens at Hawaii, playing a 13-game regular season.

SPRING SNAPSHOT
Freshman Dillon Baxter will try to make a dent in the running back rotation, which features Allen Bradford, C.J. Gable and Marc Tyler, among others. While Ronald Johnson and Brice Butler figure to be the top two receivers, early enrollee Kyle Prater gets an early start on the playbook in the spring and could be a factor. One of the key issues will be developing depth on the defensive line and at linebacker. The Trojans fell a little short in recruiting in bringing in more depth at linebacker, signing junior college transfer Glen Stanley and high school senior Hayes Pullard. "We did think we needed more people there to create more competition," Kiffin said.

PRO POTENTIAL

--WR Damian Williams -- He left a great lasting impression for pro scouts with 12 catches for 189 yards in the Emerald Bowl victory over Boston College. Williams' run-after-catch skills will serve him well, too.

--FS Taylor Mays -- He could have been a first-round pick last season but decided to come back for what turned out to disappointing season for the team and for him. He hasn't been a playmaker on the ball as a free safety, but he's still a big hitter, and he has the size to move closer to the ball in the pros as a strong safety. Didn't thrill the scouts at the Senior Bowl, however.

--TE Anthony McCoy -- Nice size, at 6-5, 250, and he averaged a stunning 20.8 yards on his 22 catches last season.

--OT Charles Brown -- The all-conference lineman is more quick and athletic than a brawler, and he certainly faced many speedy edge rushers in the Pac-10. Could end up being a first-rounder based on postseason workouts.

--OG/C Jeff Byers -- Technically-sound sixth-year senior is not a mauler, but he's heady and can play any of the inside positions, adding value as a late-round possibility.

--RB Stafon Johnson -- Suffered a life-threatening throat injury in weight-lighting accident in late September after rushing 32 times for 157 yards in four games. He could have applied for a medical redshirt, but he decided to test the draft after making a remarkable recovery. He played in the Senior Bowl.

--DE Everson Griffen -- Has incredible physical skills but wasn't the pass-rushing monster he was billed to be out of high school. His sheer athleticism makes him a first-round possibility.

--RB Joe McKnight -- Came out after his junior year after some off-field controversy. He never developed into the "next Reggie Bush" but had a solid junior season and certainly has NFL value as a pass-catcher/third-down back. He might not be an every-down player in the NFL, but his playmaking skills could get him into the second or third round.

ROSTER REPORT

--DB Marshall Jones, who missed last season because of a neck injury, has been cleared for spring ball.

--MLB Uona Kaveinga, who was a deep reserve for USC, announced he would transfer to BYU.

--Senior CB Josh Pinkard suffered an ACL injury in the regular-season finale against Arizona, which was the third ACL tear (two left, one right) of his career. He was still invited to the NFL combine, where he can do interviews and go through the mental tests.

--Junior CB Shareece Wright, who was academically ineligible during the regular season, started in the Emerald Bowl and figures to hold down that spot in 2010.

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