USC was in full pads for the first time Thursday, as the team worked out at Cromwell Field because of the rain. The bulk of practice entailed individual drills. The team will be in full pads again for Friday’s practice, which will involve scrimmaging. Here's a rundown of today's news:
OLB coach Johnny Nansen underwent a knee replacement and was not at practice.
New defensive analyst Joe DeForest will be responsible for coaching the outside linebackers this spring. DeForest, who briefly coached with Helton at Duke in the mid-1990s, was Kansas’ special teams coach the past two seasons.
Helton also introduced his new offensive analyst, former USC offensive lineman and graduate assistant Lenny Vandermade, and special teams analyst, Andy LaRussa.
Helton said Sam Darnold approached him earlier this week and told him he was hoping it would rain during Pro Day. He specifically wanted to impress the Cleveland Browns brass by performing in inclement weather.
“I don’t know if you could have scripted it any better,” Helton said.
When asked about Cam Smith returning for his senior season, Helton said a second year at middle linebacker in Pendergast’s system is one of the primary benefits. He noted that Cam was allowed to audible the defense during the latter half of last season (and will presumably have more responsibility this year).
“Plus, he keeps our culture intact,” Helton said, while also mentioning Porter Gustin, Marvell Tell and Toa Lobendahn as leaders who help patrol the locker room.
Helton commented on juco transfer Caleb Tremblay for the first time publicly, praising his effort to the ball and quick twitch off the ball.
“He does a good job of getting his hands on the offensive player as fast as humanly possible," Helton said. "Very quick, he’s very strong, great effort player. He’s got a very high ceiling.”
Helton said the key for Tremblay right now is learning the playbook to eliminate some of the confusion.
Chuma Edoga was absent. Jalen McKenzie assumed his first-team reps at right tackle. Also, Clayton Johnston received the bulk of first-team snaps at left tackle and then shifted to right tackle with the second team. Austin Jackson, who has been splitting first-team reps at LT, was the second-team LT today.
As I've mentioned previously, we're seeing a lot more rotating this spring. Hard to say who belongs to the first team on the D-line at this point. Might have a better idea after Friday's practice.
TB Vavae Malepeai (hamstring) still hasn’t been fully cleared. They’re hoping he’ll be available next week.
Incoming freshman J.T. Daniels attended Thursday’s practice, standing nearby the quarterbacks for the duration of practice.
7-on-7:
Cam Smith deflects a pass from Matt Fink to Tyler Petite
Fink checks down to Dom Davis.
Jack Sears hits Josh Imatorbhebhe short.
Holden Thomas hits Erik Krommenhoek over the middle for a first down.
***
Fink hits Tyler Vaughns.
Fink checks down to Davis.
Fink throws over the head of Michael Pittman and it's tipped by C.J. Pollard and then intercepted by Bubba Bolden.
***
Thomas hits Trevon Sidney over the middle.
Thomas is picked off by Talanoa Hufanga.
Thomas connects with Josh Falo downfield. Great job by Falo using his body to shield the defender.
Falo drops a pass and it's nearly picked off by Je'Quari Godfrey.
***
Jonathan Lockett can't hang on to a potential interception.
Erik Krommenhoek drops a pass.
Greg Johnson breaks up a deep pass to Vaughns.
1-on-1 (OL vs. DL):
Clayton Johnston stops Jordan Iosefa
Christian Rector beats Tyler Petite
Bryce Matthews beats Petite
Johnston stops Porter Gustin
Jay Tufele beats Chris Brown
Tremblay beats Justin Dedich
Connor Murphy beats Jordan Austin
Austin Jackson stops Kana'i Mauga
11-on-11:
Fink hits Randal Grimes for a first down.
Rector sacks Fink
Finks keeps it and scores.
***
Sears connects with Imatorbhebhe, who slips a tackle and creates a long scoring play.
Sears scores on a short run.
Sears tries deep for Vaughns and Isaiah Langley and Ajene Harris force the incompletion.
Sears hits Pittman
***
Holden Thomas completes a pair of passes, including one to Pittman that goes for a first down after Pittman fights for extra yards.
Bolden stops Davis.
Aca'Cedric Ware spins away from Marvell Tell for a nice gain.
Sears hits Krommenhoek.
Bolden stops Ware.
Ware bursts up the middle for a long gain before he's met by Bolden.
Krommenhoek catches a short pass.
***
Vaughns commits a rare drop on a ball from Fink.
Fink rolls to his left and fires downfield to an open Sidney, who drops a surefire TD.
Fink hits Pittman, who again picks up a lot of yards after the catch.
Fink hits Petite short.
***
Malik Dorton tackles Davis in the backfield.
Sears goes deep to Pittman but great coverage from Johnson leads to an incompletion.
Tufele stuffs a QB option to Ware.
Tufele and Mauga combine to sack Fink.
Walk-on Chris Edmondson breaks off a long run.
Biggie Marshall breaks up a deep ball, and that's how this practice ends.
The team periods weren't quite at full speed because of the rain but a good day's work nonetheless. Also, no injuries.
We've posted post-practice video interviews with LB Cam Smith, S Bubba Bolden, CB Jonathan Lockett, DT Jay Tufele and DC Clancy Pendergast.
I bumped into Jalen Greene, who announced today he’ll be transferring to Illinois, and he told me he’ll be playing receiver there.
Reminder: USC's third practice of the week is Friday (not Saturday).
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