Trojans ready for another title run

With the Rose Bowl rout of Illinois behind him, USC Coach Pete Carroll on Wednesday began looking ahead to next season when the Trojans once again will be regarded as contenders for a national title.

Retaining draft-eligible juniors, monitoring the possible movement of staff members and making a final push in recruiting are Carroll’s most immediate concerns before the Trojans begin spring practice in March.

Several juniors, including linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, have said they would return for their final seasons of eligibility. Most, however, are expected to request draft projections from the NFL. Offensive lineman Chilo Rachal said after the Rose Bowl that he was considering turning pro.

“I need to get away real quick and think about what I want,” he said.

Carroll has spoken with Rachal, who missed three games because of a knee injury and also was hobbled for much of bowl preparation.

“He sounds real solid about not making any fast decisions about anything,” Carroll said. “This is not a great time for Chilo to come out.”

Carroll said offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian was contacted by former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick before he was fired and that he expected Sarkisian would draw interest from other teams.

Last year at this time, Carroll was linked to the Arizona Cardinals coaching search and also interviewed for the Miami Dolphins job while on vacation in Costa Rica. Asked Wednesday if he had been contacted by any NFL teams, he said, “There’s nothing going on, no reason to even talk about it.”

USC appears to have another strong class as the Feb. 6 signing date approaches. Fourteen players have made commitments to the Trojans, including six offensive linemen, according to Rivals.com.

Returning players will have their first team meeting on Jan. 14 and will begin off-season conditioning soon after.

The Trojans must replace six starters on offense and four starters on defense from a team that finished 11-2 and played in a record sixth consecutive Bowl Championship Series game.

The competition to replace quarterback John David Booty began during bowl preparation and will heat up again in spring practice.

Mark Sanchez, who started three games after Booty suffered a broken right middle finger, is the front-runner in a competition with Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp.

“We got a great look at Mark and we know he can play on this stage and will be great if he can hold the job,” Carroll said.

Sophomore Stafon Johnson and freshman Joe McKnight return at tailback along with sophomore Allen Bradford. Sophomore C.J. Gable also will be back after redshirting this season following abdominal surgery. Freshmen Marc Tyler and Broderick Green also will play after redshirting.

Anthony McCoy is the leading candidate to replace tight end Fred Davis. The rest of the receiving corps returns intact.

Freshman center Kris O’Dowd played four games in place of senior Matt Spanos before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Butch Lewis and Charles Brown are front-runners to replace tackles Sam Baker and Drew Radovich, respectively.

Redshirt sophomore Averell Spicer could take nose tackle Sedrick Ellis’ spot and freshman Everson Griffen will replace end Lawrence Jackson.

Kaluka Maiava and Malcolm Smith are among the candidates to replace Keith Rivers at the weakside linebacker spot.

Josh Pinkard, coming off a season-ending knee injury for the second time, should battle Cary Harris and Shareece Wright for a starting job at cornerback. Pinkard also could rotate at safety.

Carroll said Maiava would have surgery to repair a second broken thumb suffered against Illinois. . . . The Trojans were penalized 11 times against Illinois, including three times for unsportsmanlike conduct after touchdowns. “I’m not worried about it a bit,” Carroll said. “I just wish it hadn’t happened.” Of Desmond Reed’s flip into the end zone: “I couldn’t have been more upset when it happened, but now that it’s in the history books it’s something he’ll be remembered for.”

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