The Trojans were in full pads for the first time today. We had our normal limited viewing window, but I did get some fun shots of the WRs coming directly at us on downfield routes.
Interview wise, we talked to OL coach Josh Henson, WRs Duce Robinson, Ja'Kobi Lane, Makai Lemon and Josiah Zamora (who was put on scholarship this summer), and OL Mason Murphy and Jonah Monheim.
Everything is uploading. Photo gallery is almost ready.
As for quick notes ...
-I asked Henson about the JUCO OL addition Erwin Taomi, and he made it pretty clear that he's a project at this point. I wouldn't expect him to see the field this year. They spotted him while scouting the Sacramento State football camp and didn't know who he was beforehand but came away impressed with his size and agility. Henson said it's still up in the air whether he lands at tackle or guard.
-Henson confirmed again that Tobias Raymond is the next-up at offensive tackle if needed, and that if Elijah Paige went down on the left side they'd move Mason Murphy over there and play Raymond at RT. He also said freshman Justin Tauanuu is progressing.
-At right guard, it's mainly been Alani Noa and Amos Talalele with Micah Banuelos getting in the mix too. Gino Quinones is still being eased back from knee surgery. Henson made it clearly, believably, that he really has no idea how it's going to shake out.
-Henson has twice now hit on the notion that Mason Murphy is much more "mature" than in the past. Murphy said he felt he made a change in that direction a year and a half ago, said he felt he hadn't prepared well for the 2022 Pac-12 Championship Game and it showed in the game and was a wake-up call. They certainly sound more confident in him than ever before, but we heard the maturity thing touted this time last year as well.
-Duce Robinson was a great interview. He said his main emphasis this year is using his physicality more and realizing he's bigger than anyone else out there. He confirmed he'll continue doing baseball and football. Duce also had a great quote about Josiah Zamora and why he earned his scholarship.
-When asked, Miller Moss highlighted Braylan Shelby, Bear Alexander, Nate Clifton and Gavin Meyer as DL guys that have caught his eye and touted Emmanuel Pregnon on the OL.
-We continue to get to watch linebacker drills every day (but only after cameras are turned off). Matt Entz is quite a show out there -- he has a coaching point or one-on-one instruction with the players on almost every rep. He sounds like he probably lost his voice in 1999 and never got it back. Just very vocal and involved every moment.
-Basketball coach Eric Musselman was watching practice today.
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