The USC Trojans enter the season with a roster that has undergone many changes from the 2023 regular season. The Trojans return four starters on offense, three on the offensive line and one at tight end, who will likely start against the LSU Tigers. The rest of the starters will come from underclassmen and a record-setting transfer from the SEC. Of note on the USC offensive depth chart: an update to the right guard position. More on that below.

We all know how important this game is for USC. The winner will gain a lot of traction and improve their position in the College Football Playoff push right from the start, while the loser will suffer a huge setback and will have to deal with very narrow margins for the rest of the season. USC has a great opportunity to shape their season in a favorable way. If the Trojans can win on Sunday, they can lose twice in their remaining 11 games and still make the playoffs with an overall record of 10-2. USC’s strong schedule means that if the Trojans win 10 games, they will almost certainly be in the playoffs. It is virtually impossible to see USC not making the playoffs at 10-2, so this brings us back to LSU and how the Trojans can win.

Here’s the depth chart for the USC offense, released Thursday night. Here are the players lined up to take the first snap against LSU in Vegas:

Left Tackle – Elijah Paige (6-7 / 320 / R-Fr.)

Paige developed as a tackle by being placed on the scout team to get reps against USC’s first-team defense. That, along with the development of offensive line coach Josh Henson, allowed him to step up and shine in the 2023 Holiday Bowl last season.

DEPTH CHART: Micah Banuelos (6-2 / 310 / R-Fr.)

Left guard – Emmanuel Pregnon (6-5 / 320 / R-Sr.)

Pregnon transferred from Wyoming to USC last season. He played well at times, but lacked the consistency to help lock down the left side of the line last year.

DEPTH CHART: Gino Quinones (6-3 / 302 / R-Sr.)

Center – Jonah Monheim (6-5 / 310 / R-Sr.)

Jonah Manheim is a returning starter who had a remarkable run at left tackle for the Trojans in 2023. He’ll move inside in 2024, where he’ll likely see NFL action, but PFF says he would have been one of the best left tackles in college if he stayed outside. He replaces last year’s starter, Justin Dedich.

DEPTH CHART: Kilian O’Connor (6-1/291/Jr.)

Right Guard – Alani Noa (6-5 / 335 / So.) OR Amos Talalele (6-4 / 340 / R-Fr.)

Noa was forced into action as a true freshman when Gino Quinones was injured early in the season. Talalele has been pushing Noa all offseason, so this could be a game-time decision.

Right tackle – Mason Murphy Mason Murphy (6-5 / 315 / R-Jr.)

It seems to be a theme on the line, but Murphy has the build and talent to earn a spot among the starters, but consistency has plagued him throughout his USC career. He’s drawn praise from everyone, including head coach Lincoln Riley, Henson and starting quarterback Miller Moss.

Tight End – Lake McRee (1.93 m / 113 kg / R-Jr.)

McRee has proven to be a reliable, physical receiver who can make tough catches over the middle. He played in every regular season game but missed the Holiday Bowl with a serious lower-body injury.

DEPTH CHART: Kade Eldridge (6-4 / 250 / R-Fr.), Walker Lyons (6-4 / 235 / Fr.)

X Ontvanger – Kyron Hudson (6-1 / 205 / R-Jr.) OF Duce Robinson (6-6 / 220 / So.)

Team captain and veteran Mater Dei receiver Hudson and two sports stars Robinson (pictured) are being mentioned as potential starters for Sunday. The way Riley rotates his receivers should ensure plenty of action from both receivers against the Tigers.

DEPTH CHART: Jaden Richardson (6-1/205/R-Sr.)

H Receiver – Zachariah Branch (5-10 / 175 / So.)

USC’s one and only freshman First Team All-American made everyone gasp when he touched the ball last year, becoming only the third USC player to ever score on a kick return, punt return and a receiving touchdown in the same season.

DEPTH CHART: Jay Fair (5-10/185/Jr.)

Y-Receiver – Makai Lemon

Lemon saw action in nine games, splitting time between cornerback and receiver. In limited action, he showed he can attack fearless tight ends over the middle with the speed and athleticism to rack up yards after the catch.

DEPTH CHART: Josiah Zamora (5-8 / 180 / R-Jr.)

Z Receiver – Ja’Kobi Lane OF Kyle Ford (6-1/225/R-Sr.)

Lane (pictured) is one of the most unpredictable players on the USC roster. Whether it’s marching with the band to practice or showing off his incredible catch radius by sliding and reaching back for a reception, he’s quick to spot in a crowd. Expect the Trojans to utilize his height and leaping ability with fades in the red zone.

Speaking of fades in the end zone, Ford will always be remembered for his final-minute touchdown to Caleb Williams to beat the Bruins in 2022. Expect him to use his combination of size and speed again with the Trojans in 2024.

DEPTH CHART: Charles Ross (6-1 / 165 / R-Sr.)

Quarterback – Miller Moss (6’2″ / 200 lbs / R-Jr.)

Much time and effort was spent discussing the quarterback competition between Moss and UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava. Ultimately, it would take a supernatural effort to oust the redshirt junior from Bishop Alemany HS. Moss has endured adversity throughout his career at USC with a head coaching change and two seasons behind a Heisman-winning quarterback. Maiava got a huge push in the spring and fall, but Moss confirmed what Riley saw in the Holiday Bowl — Moss’ mental game allows him to slow the game down and consistently make the right reads and adjustments.

DEPTH CHART: Jayden Maiava (6-4 / 220 / R-So.), Jake Jensen (6-1 / 212 / R-Jr.)

Runner – Woody Marks

Marks is the all-time leader in receptions (214), consecutive games with a catch (45), and receiving yards (1,225) at Mississippi State. His receptions rank eighth all-time in the SEC, and had he returned for his final year of eligibility, he would have broken Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews’ all-time record with just 48 catches (he averaged over 53 receptions per year). Marks has the strength and burst to get through the gap and the speed to break corners in the secondary.

DEPTH CHART: Quinten Joyner (5-11 / 216 / R-Fr.), Bryan Jackson (6-0 / 230 / Fr.) OR A’Marion Peterson (6-0 / 220 / R-Fr.)

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC Offensive Depth Chart for LSU Updates Battle for Right Guard