USC safety Isaiah Pola-Mao out for season opener against San Jose State

USC starting safety Isaiah Pola-Mao will miss the Trojan’s season opener against San Jose State due to health and safety protocols, per USCFootball.com.

Pola-Mao is a two-time captain entering his fifth season at USC. He is the Trojan’s most experienced defensive back heading into the 2021 season.

Redshirt freshman Texas transfer Xavion Alford is listed as Pola-Mao’s backup on the depth chart. Auburn transfer Chris Thompson Jr. could also see playing time.

In 21 career appearances, Isaiah Pola-Mao has recorded 121 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five interceptions, seven pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumbles.

Last season, Isaiah Pola-Mao started all six games for the Trojans, recording 40 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and led the team with five deflections and three fumble recoveries.

As a unit, the Trojans defense lost defensive tackles Marlon Tuipulotu and Jay Tufele, cornerback Olaijah Griffin, safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Palaie Gaoteote IV this offseason. The task of replacing Tuipulotu and Tufele will be expected to be filled by a committee led by sophomore Tuli Tuipoluto. Filling the hole left behind by Gaoteote is expected to be filled by senior Kana’i Mauga.

The Trojans will be led by a front that features star EDGE Drake Jackson, who is entering his final season at USC, and freshman phenom Korey Foreman, a five-star recruit in the 2021 cycle that is already listed as the second-string defensive end and projects to contribute all season. Foreman was named to On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-America Team.

In the secondary, Chase Williams, Greg Johnson, Chris Steele and Isaac Taylor-Stuart will be the other starters beside Isaiah Pola-Mao for USC. In addition to transfer additions Alford and Thompson Jr, safeties Anthony Beavers Jr and Calen Bullock are new additions, as members of the 2021 recruiting class.

Bullock in particular had a strong fall camp and looks to contribute this season at nickel behind Greg Johnson.

USC enters the 2021 season looking to build off last season’s 5-1 season that ended in a loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship. The Trojans and Ducks could very likely meet again in the Pac-12 championship this year.

Offensively for USC, quarterback Kedon Slovis and wide receiver Drake London are the headliners. At running back, Texas transfer Keontay Ingram and sixth-year back Vavae Malepeai will see the bulk of snaps. The Trojans wide receiver room features a lot of fresh faces. Outside of London, freshman Joseph Manjack IV, Memphis transfer Tahj Washington and Texas transfer Malcolm Epps will start on Saturday.

USC faces off against the reigning Mountain West Champion San Jose State in the Coliseum on Saturday