USC football’s spring camp is set to begin next week. The practices reps are valuable and may put some players on the path to more playing time in the fall. As part of our spring camp preview series, USCFootball.com identifies seven players with a chance to break out during spring practice.
Desman Stephens – Second-Year Sophomore Linebacker
The USC coaching staff will give Stephens a real opportunity to break out in the spring. Right now, Stephens projects as USC’s starting MIKE linebacker alongside Eric Gentry. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Mason Cobb, last year’s two starting ‘backers, are out of eligibility, so Stephens and a healthy Gentry will be given elevated roles. Stephens played in nine games last season and logged 105 defensive snaps. He popped with an interception against Penn State, and on the season, he made 13 tackles with one forced fumble. At 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds, Stephens has that prototypical linebacker size. He’s in line to have a huge fall, but he’ll have to earn his reps in the spring.
By all accounts, Williams had a tremendous spring camp last year as an early enrollee. But that didn’t translate to early playing time as Williams only appeared in one game (Utah State) in his true freshman season. USC lost its top four cornerbacks from last season (including nickel Greedy Vance Jr.), so Williams will have a much better chance at playing this fall with another strong spring camp. The current plan is for Williams to play cornerback this season, but he could potentially play nickel too. Either way, Williams will have the opportunity to lock down a spot on USC’s two-deep this spring. Can he take it?
Kameryn Fountain – Second-Year Sophomore Defensive End
Fountain had arguably the biggest impact of any true freshman at USC last season. He played 248 defensive snaps, and he made 19 tackles with two sacks in eight games. At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Fountain has the body of an NFL prospect. He’ll face stiff competition for a starting spot from Braylan Shelby, Anthony Lucas (if he’s 100 percent cleared after last year’s injury) and Jahkeem Stewart, but don’t be surprised if Fountain emerges as USC’s top pass rusher. The next step in his development comes this spring.
Bryan Jackson – Second-Year Sophomore Running Back
Due to transfers and opt outs, Jackson emerged as RB1 for USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, and he made the most of his opportunity rushing for 66 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in a 35-31 win over Texas A&M. Jackson ended his freshman year with 36 carries for 188 yards and a score. He managed to beat out the older A’Marion Peterson on the depth chart last season and will now face a position battle with JUCO transfer Waymond Jordan and New Mexico transfer Eli Sanders this spring. If Jackson locks down a spot on the two-deep heading into the fall, he’ll be primed for a breakout season. He’s going to face stiff competition to make that happen though.
Justin Tauanuu – Second-Year Freshman Offensive Tackle
When left tackle Elijah Paige went down with an injury in the Las Vegas Bowl, Tauanuu came into the game and held up well allowing only two pressures on 69 offensive snaps. While Tauanuu’s future lies at left tackle, we know he won’t play there this fall with Paige returning. USC has an opening at right tackle though. Tobias Raymond is the leader in the clubhouse to win that position battle right now (assuming DJ Wingfield plays guard), but could Tauanuu give Raymond a run for his money? We’ll have to see. Tauanuu enters spring camp as the likely back up left tackle. Will he be given the chance to compete at right tackle?
Jamaal Jarrett – Third-Year Junior Nose Tackle
At 6-foot-5 and 349 pounds, Jarrett gives USC something it lacked last season: a true nose tackle. The Georgia transfer will compete with Kentucky transfer Keeshawn Silver and Kobe Pepe for reps in the middle of USC’s defensive line this spring. Jarrett is a former top 100 recruit, so he brings high upside to USC, but he didn’t play much at Georgia (126 career defensive snaps) due to struggling to stay in shape, according to Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.
“He has a little more stamina, but there’s still an area for improvement that he’s got to be able to play more consecutive snaps,” Smart said in December. “That’s what we challenge him to do each and every day.”
A strong offseason could lead to a big role for Jarrett, but he will face fierce competition.
Prince Strachan – Third-Year Junior Wide Receiver
Strachan comes to USC from Boise State with a real chance to be the team’s WR3 behind Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon. The wide out caught 25 passes for 304 yards and one touchdown for a run-first Boise State team last season. Strachan is a native of the Bahamas who only started playing football in 2019, so he could certainly take a leap developmentally ahead of next season. At 6-foot-5 and 204 pounds, Strachan is a bigger receiver who has the potential to give opposing teams trouble as a vertical threat. Think of Strachan as the replacement for Duce Robinson. Could his first year in Cardinal ‘N Gold be a breakout one? It’s certainly possible.
