WeAreSC Roundtable: Trojan time machine
If you could take any current or former USC football player and put him on any Trojans team throughout history, which player would you like to see added to which team?
Erik McKinney
The first answer that comes to mind is virtually anyone who ever played in the back seven in the history of USC being placed on that 2005 defense. The Trojans simply ran out of bodies late in the season and it showed against Texas. Adding literally any of USC's talented linebackers, safeties or cornerbacks there could have made a difference.
As it pertains to this 2020 team, I'd love to see what Markese Stepp could do if he was put on a team in the heyday of student body right. It doesn't really matter the year, and apologies to any back he'd be replacing, but I think he'd have an opportunity to be an all-timer give the same number of opportunities per game as guys like Ricky Bell and Anthony Davis (it's unlikely any back will get the touches Charles White received). Stepp averaged 6.4 yards per carry during an injury-shorted redshirt freshman season. That's tied with Joe McKnight's career average at USC, and of USC backs with at least 300 career carries, only Reggie Bush's 7.3 yards per carry is higher.
Chris Arledge
My answer would be the same for 2020 and every other year other than 2008*: give me Junior.
Junior Seau was the most physically dominant defensive player I’ve every seen wear a USC uniform. And you could use him as an edge rusher (as he was used in college) or on the inside (as he was used in the NFL), and in both spots you’re getting one of the very best to ever play the game. And you’re also getting a guy who may be the most fun player I’ve ever watched.
So I would put Junior Seau on the 2005 football team because I believe Junior, on at least a few occasions, would have been able to tackle Vince Young, and if we could only have tackled Vince Young on a few occasions, we can put that game – and the three-peat – in the good guys’ column.
* The 2008 team was already so dominant defensively that I’d give that team an offensive playmaker. For 2008, let’s go with Mike Williams, with OJ a close second.
Greg Katz
I would put Sam Darnold on this year’s 2020 team. Why, when we already have Kedon Slovis? Because Sam is tougher, more durable, has incomparable mobility, and a gamer. He would be a major running threat, which I think this team needs to be successful for a run at a title since it appears that the current system has no real commitment to running the ball.
Darrell Rideaux
If I could take any one player, past or present and put him on any team, I would put Willie McGinest as a Leo edge rusher on the left side of that 2005 USC team that played Texas in the Rose Bowl. Willie McGinest on the edge--I cant see him losing containment, period!
As for the 2020 Team, seeing how effective Markese Step has been in this offense, when healthy, I can't help but wonder how effective could Reggie Bush be in an offense that spreads the defense out and can create the out of the back field match ups you would look for. He would have rushed for 1800 yards and 1,000 out of the backfield.
Kevin Bruce
I’ll take Tyron Smith and put him on any offense and they instantly would have a championship season. Yes, he is that good.
Which USC player would you add to which Trojan team? Come share your thoughts on the WeAreSC message board.
