USC spring football preview: Trojans return starting cornerbacks
USC cornerback Iman Marshall steps in front of UCLA’s Jordan Payton to make an interception.
USC starts spring practice on Tuesday.
Cornerbacks
Coach: Ronnie Bradford
Key departure: Kevon Seymour
Key returners: Junior Adoree’ Jackson, sophomore Iman Marshall
Returners: Junior Jonathan Lockett and sophomore Isaiah Langley
Newcomer: Freshman C.J. Pollard
Joining in the fall: Freshman Jack Jones
Outlook: Cornerback should be a strength of USC’s defense with returning starters Jackson and Marshall, though depth must be developed. Spring will be an opportunity for several young players to get reps.
Jackson is not expected to participate in spring practice, with his attention turned to track and field, where he is attempting to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in the long jump.
In 2015, Jackson broke up eight passes, deflected nine others and intercepted a pass and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown.
As a freshman, Marshall took over as starter in the third game of the season. He made three interceptions.
Lockett and Langley could be the beneficiaries of Jackson’s absence.
Lockett, now a junior, has been a backup defensive back the past two seasons.
As a freshman, Langley played mostly on special teams.
Pollard, a highly regarded recruit from Gardena Serra High, has enrolled in spring semester courses and will be available to practice. He is the son of former Trojans defensive back Marvin Pollard.
Jones, a five-star player from Long Beach Poly, will join the team in the fall.
The defensive backs will be coached by first-year assistant Bradford, who held the same position at Louisiana Tech for the past three seasons.
Spring previews:
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
