USC offensive line taking steps forward this spring

The USC offensive line was one of the few pleasant surprises for the Trojans in a 2021 season that saw many areas of the program completely implode. It represented a surprising, significant step forward for the USC big men after a dismal 2020 season. The 2022 season will not produce the same event. That’s not to say the offensive line won’t take a step forward again this year. Only that it won’t come as a surprise. With head coach Lincoln Riley and offensive coordinator and line coach Josh Henson, marked improvement from the line is necessary, and expected.

There is a lot to like about what USC has in the offensive line room, despite the fact that there isn’t a lot in the offensive line room. The Trojans have just 13 scholarship linemen this spring. And that includes Virginia transfer Bobby Haskins, who remains sidelined due injury. USC currently isn’t scheduled to add anybody to this group for the fall, though the Trojans are in the running for four-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. He’s set to announce his commitment on April 8. The Trojans could also find additional bodies in the transfer portal this offseason.

Despite the low numbers, USC coaches like what they’re seeing this spring. It’s just four practices in, but two have come with pads, giving the staff a better look at that group.

“I like our group,” Riley said. “I do. Experience is a tough thing to beat up there. We’ve got a couple of guys…that are really good players, that I think have picked up our stuff very fast, that are good leaders.”

Henson, like the rest of the USC staff, is clear in stating there is plenty of room for improvement. He said bringing hands inside and playing with better pad level can always improve. But he’s found things with which to be pleased early on.

“I see flashes of us operating at a really high level up to this point,” Henson said of his line. “We have a lot of things we can improve on, no question. But you see it headed in the right direction.”

Looking for Depth Along the Offensive Line

The line at this point features, from left tackle to right tackle, Courtland Ford, Andrew Vorhees, Brett Neilon, Justin Dedich and Jonah Monheim. There is a lot of experience in that group and all five started at least four games last season.

“I think overall, I have a really good feel for that first group,” Henson said. “I can see them taking some steps.”

But having five solid starters is just the first step for an offensive line. Growing that depth will be important for multiple reasons. Firstly, injuries often force backups into the starting group throughout the course of a season. Secondly, the better the backups are, the better the starters are.

“The best lines I’ve been on, we had eight or nine guys that could play,” Henson said. “Because of that competition every day. Guys were in there challenging, fighting for jobs. It really elevated the overall play of our line.”

Henson said the challenge for the rest of spring is developing depth behind that first group. That puts the ball this spring squarely in the court of the younger linemen. Linemen such as Jason Rodriguez, Andrew Milek, Maximus Gibbs, Mason Murphy and others have an opportunity to finish spring on a high note, establishing themselves as key reserves and potential starters heading into the summer.

Milek was one of the key reserves last season. Former offensive line coach Clay McGuire said he’d be comfortable inserting Milek into a game if needed. Murphy was also making noise during practice last season before an injury cut his season short.

Haskins might be the one to watch when he returns. Veterans with extensive playing time don’t typically transfer schools and then watch from the sidelines. Although, it did happen with former Colorado receiver K.D. Nixon at USC last season. But Haskins is at USC to play, and Henson said he was impressed with Trojans’ new tackle when he watched his film.

It sounds unlikely that Haskins will be fully healthy and able to participate much this spring, but he’ll eventually compete with Ford at left tackle. Though, Henson made sure to mention that Haskins has also played right tackle.

Right Side Replacements

The right side of the USC offensive line will have two new faces when compared with how the 2021 season ended. Former right guard Liam Jimmons and right tackle Jalen McKenzie are both off to the NFL. In their places, USC has gone with Dedich and Monheim this spring.

Monheim began last season as the starter at right tackle. But he struggled a bit as McKenzie stepped into the starting lineup. Through the early part of spring, Monheim looks headed for a bounceback season. Neilon spoke highly about the third-year lineman.

“I think [No.] 79 right there, Jonah Monheim,” Neilon said when asked about players impressing him so far. “He’s added some really good weight. I think the game’s really starting to slow down for him.”

Another Change for the Offensive Line

Henson is the fourth offensive line for which some of the USC offensive linemen have played. Everybody involved, from coaches to players, said that would be something of a challenge to figure out the way Henson and Riley want things done and put that into action. But they expressed the confidence to get it done.

Vorhees said part of the reason he’s happy he returned to USC this season is how well he’s meshed with Henson.

“I believe in coach Henson and the technique that he’s brought and his preaching toward physicality,” Vorhees said.

“I really like Henson because he’s letting us play off our experience a little bit,” Neilon said. “It’s been great. It just feels like we’re building off a better year where we improve.”