The USC Trojans have their eyes set on a national championship in 2012. The UCLA Bruins may not quite be at that level as of yet, but they are a program hungry to return to greatness. Every spring there are players who emerge from workouts and the spring game.
Who might be those players from the Trojans and Bruins for next season? We examine a few guys after the jump.
Pac-12 blogger Ted Miller of ESPN spent the last few months checking out all of the programs in the conference. He highlighted two players from Los Angeles as potential breakout candidates for 2012.
Here was his pick from UCLA:
Steven Manfro, RB, UCLA: Speed and quickness. There is a difference, but Manfro has both. He excelled in the spring sessions and though he sits third on the UCLA depth chart, he might work his way into carries if he continues to show explosive breakaway ability.
And who Miller feels could be in for a big season from USC:
Isiah Wiley, CB, USC: Wiley quietly started the final six games in 2011 and played fairly well. While he's a senior, this is only the JC transfer's second year in the program. This spring, he took a step forward and seems likely to start opposite Nickell Robey.
Most players are currently at home relaxing and preparing for summer camp, which typically begins in July. Football season is just a few short months away, folks. Get excited.
For more on UCLA, check out Bruins Nation. For more on the Trojans, head over to Conquest Chronicles.