USC's Returning Defense

USC is losing most of its amazing defense after this season, including 7 all-conference first or second team starters and 4 solid senior starters. Assuming Josh Pinkard does not get a 6th year of eligibility and Taylor Mays departs for the NFL, here are the Trojans' top returning defensive players.

DE — 96 Wes Horton (6-5, 245, Fr.)

NT – 44 Christian Tupou (6-2, 280, So.)
99 Averell Spicer (6-2, 295, Jr.*)
91 Jurrell Casey (6-1, 280, Fr.)
98 DaJohn Harris (6-4, 285, Fr.*)

DT — 94 Armond Armstead (6-5, 290, Fr.)

DE — 93 Everson Griffen (6-3, 265, So.)
97 Malik Jackson (6-5, 230, Fr.)

SLB — 17 Michael Morgan (6-4, 220, So.*)
37 Jordan Campbell (5-11, 230, Fr.*)
57 Nick Garratt (6-1, 235, Jr.*)
8 Nick Perry (6-3, 240, Fr.)

MLB — 54 Chris Galippo (6-2, 255, Fr.*)
35 Uona Kaveinga (6-1, 235, Fr.) OR
52 Luthur Brown (6-2, 235, Jr.*)

WLB — 6 Malcolm Smith (6-1, 225, So.)

CB — 15 Kevin Thomas (6-1, 185, Jr.*)
30 Brian Baucham (5-11, 190, Fr.)

FS — 27 Marshall Jones (6-0, 185, So.)

SS — 26 Will Harris (6-1, 200, Jr.*)
19 Drew McAllister (6-1, 200, Fr.)

CB — 1 T.J. Bryant (6-1, 190, Fr.)
25 Daniel Harper (5-11, 185, Fr.*)

A lot of those names will be unfamiliar to those outside the Pac-10, but it's a talented bunch, and there are some amazing freshmen who say they are coming, some of whom could step in and compete immediately.