USC football

Five questions facing USC going into training camp:

Which tailbacks will emerge from the logjam?

1. The Trojans begin workouts with a whopping 10 scholarship tailbacks on the roster. Senior Chauncey Washington (744 yards in 2006) and sophomores C.J. Gable (434 yards) and Emmanuel Moody (459) got the bulk of the carries last season, but sophomores Stafon Johnson and Allen Bradford will push for playing time. Freshman Joe McKnight is expected to have an immediate impact, Marc Tyler could as well if he is recovered from a broken leg, and Broderick Green is regarded as a true power back. Sixth-year senior Hershel Dennis will be valuable if his twice-surgically-repaired knee is sound, and senior Desmond Reed is an experienced option as well.

Can the receivers fill the void left by the departures of Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith?

2. Junior Patrick Turner caught 12 passes against Washington last season. The Trojans are not expecting that kind of production every game, but Turner is the most experienced player in the group and could be quarterback John David Booty’s go-to target early in the season. Sophomore Vidal Hazelton had only one reception in 2006 but won the other starting spot in the spring. Redshirt freshman David Ausberry provides a powerful physical presence and sophomore Travon Patterson and redshirt freshman Jamere Holland quickness and speed. Freshmen Ronald Johnson and Brandon Carswell will have plenty of opportunities to show their talent in new receivers coach John Morton’s first training camp.

Is the offensive line a strength or a liability?

3. All-American left tackle Sam Baker is back for his senior season and junior right guard Chilo Rachal will start for the second year, making the Trojans solid at two spots. Less certain is how senior Matt Spanos will perform as a replacement for three-year starting center Ryan Kalil, how converted guard Drew Radovich will play at right tackle and whether oft-injured left guard Jeff Byers can stay healthy. Senior Alatini Malu, sophomores Charles Brown, Thomas Herring and Nick Howell and redshirt freshmen Butch Lewis and Zack Heberer will compete for playing time along with freshman center Kristofer O’Dowd.

Will this be the best defense of the Pete Carroll era?

4. With 10 starters back it certainly could be, but it remains to be seen if the deep and talented unit will dominate as the Trojans return to a traditional 4-3 alignment. Senior end Lawrence Jackson and senior nose tackle Sedrick Ellis anchor a line that is hoping for the emergence of an impact player at the other end spot alongside junior tackle Fili Moala. Junior Kyle Moore will be pushed by freshman Everson Griffen. Senior Keith Rivers and juniors Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing are regarded as one of college football’s best linebacker trios and there is plenty of depth at the position, including freshman Chris Galippo. Senior Terrell Thomas and junior Cary Harris are returning starters at cornerback. Juniors Kevin Ellison and Josh Pinkard and sophomore Taylor Mays give the Trojans a surplus of talented safeties.

Who will be the kicker?

5. David Buehler showed a great leg and the ability to perform under pressure when he kicked a 49-yard field goal last season against California. But matching the accuracy and consistency of the late Mario Danelo will be a huge challenge for Buehler or walk-ons such as El Camino College transfer Joe Houston, Davidson transfer Brad Smith and Blake Van Muijen from Monte Vista High in Danville.

-- Gary Klein