Which USC players can't, won't, could and will redshirt?

USC isn't quite at the halfway point of the season but we have a pretty good idea who will and wont redshirt in 2019. Forty players were eligible before the season opener and 25 still are. Below is a synopsis of where things stand with each one.

CAN’T REDSHIRT

Safety Briton Allen
Running back Stephen Carr
Tight end Josh Falo
Linebacker Palaie Gaoteote
Linebacker Ralen Goforth
Offensive tackle Austin Jackson
Defensive end Drake Jackson
Running back Quincy Jountti
Tight end Erik Krommenhoek
Wide receiver Drake London
Linebacker Kana'i Mauga
Defensive tackle Brandon Pili
Wide receiver Michael Pittman
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown
Cornerback Chris Steele

Everyone in this group has played all five games. Allen and Goforth are freshmen contributing on special teams and aren’t currently pushing for defensive snaps. Falo is notable because he recently sprained his MCL and could miss a few games. He’s had such a minor role thus far that it would have been worth considering spacing him out a year from fellow junior Krommenhoek if it were still an option.

WON’T REDSHIRT

Cornerback Olaijah Griffin (4 games)
Safety Talanoa Hufanga (4)
Quarterback Kedoon Slovis (4)

All three missed the Washington game. Griffin (back) has already been cleared and Hufanga (concussion, shoulder) and Slovis (concussion) are expected to be soon, although they hadn’t been as of Sunday night. There’s no chance they don’t appear in another game for the rest of the season. USC isn’t Houston.

COULD REDSHIRT

Defensive back Dorian Hewett (3)
Jordan Iosefa (0)
Wide receiver Munir McClain (3)
Linebacker Tuasivi Nomura (4)
Offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees (2)
Cornerback Jayden Williams (4)
Cornerback Max Williams (1)
Tight end Jude Wolfe (0)

Coach Clay Helton said Iosefa could ramp up activity this week. He has yet to practice so he won’t be ready to return to game action, with every missed game seemingly bringing him closer to a decision about his final year of eligibility. Given that he was already behind John Houston before getting injured, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up redshirting. But if he’s able to return by the end of the month, possibly sitting out won’t be an easy call for the senior captain.

Helton said he’d be having this conversation soon with Vorhees, who’s been sidelined for the past month by a foot injury. Vorhees had lost his starting job to Jalen McKenzie at right guard, which has been a sore spot on the offensive line. But if Helton’s already planning to discuss redshirting with Vorhees -- he would need to play just three more games and there are at least seven remaining, and possibly nine -- the plan is to probably hold him out. Hewett, Nomura and Jayden Williams just play special teams, so they could be preserved. McClain has had a small role on offense. He probably won’t redshirt and perhaps should be considered for a larger role given London’s struggles in the slot. McClain plays in a different spot but his performance in training camp suggests he is ready to contribute. Maybe he just needs a look inside.

Max Williams made his debut versus Washington and had a strong first quarter, registering a sack and forced fumble. Greg Johnson, who was being disciplined, reclaimed his spot and played the remaining three quarters. The staff made it clear the starting nickel job still belongs to Johnson, despite his struggles in pass coverage. Williams, though, might have won some snaps moving forward and put himself in position to get back on the field if Johnson falters.

Helton intimated Wolfe would be the beneficiary of Falo being sidelined. USC does use two tight ends on occasion but Falo wasn’t playing all that much otherwise. (He has two catches on three targets.) In other words, it isn’t safe to assume Wolfe will actually play, much less appear in five games this season.

WILL REDSHIRT

Defensive tackle De’jon Benton (0)
Running back Kenan Christon (0)
Quarterback JT Daniels (1)
Wide receiver Kyle Ford (0)
Wide receiver John Jackson III (0)
Defensive back Kaulana Makaula (0)
Wide receiver Bru McCoy (0)
Cornerback Adonis Otey (0)
Offensive lineman Gino Quinones (0)
Tight end Ethan Rae (0)
Offensive lineman Jason Rodriguez (0)
Linebacker Raymond Scott (0)
Defensive lineman Stanley Ta’ufo’ou (0)
Linebacker Maninoa Tufono (0)

All but two of these guys are true freshmen -- Daniels and Scott. Daniels is obviously out for the season, while Scott switched positions a few times this offseason and appears to be a few injuries from seeing the field. It’s unlikely that the 12 rookies listed will find themselves in a prominent role in the coming weeks, but some will play four or fewer games.

-- Adam Maya has been covering USC since 2003. Follow him on Twitter @AdamJMaya.