USC was in full pads again for Friday's practice, which also involved scrimmaging. Here's a rundown of the news:
WR Michael Pittman suffered an AC sprain in his shoulder early in practice. It was the same side in which he broke his collarbone in the spring of 2016. X-rays were negative. Clay Helton said he could return next week.
TB Vavae Malepeai (hamstring), who has been pretty limited since returning to practice Tuesday, could be full-go next week.
Helton said S Isaiah Pola-Mao and CB Greg Johnson will not partake in live tackling this spring. "They're both cleared for thud tempo but not going to the ground," Helton said.
Helton said Marlon Tuipulotu's rehab has been going well and he's expected to be ready by the beginning of training camp.
Don't think I've mentioned this previously but backup K Michael Brown remains out. Thomas Fitts, who switched from quarterback to placekicker, is getting the backup reps to Chase McGrath, who kicked very well Friday.
Helton highlighted the play of WR Tyler Vaughns, TB Aca'Cedric Ware (strength) and WR Josh Imatorbhebhe. I asked Helton what's the next step for Imatorbhebhe, who had a couple of long plays.
"He's getting lined up right, he looks confident," he said. "Confusion always creates hesitation. You can see him reacting so much faster. His natural ability and explosiveness is off the charts."
USC worked on a lot of third-down scenarios today and Helton was pleased with how the quarterbacks responded to the pressure.
We saw a few fumbled exchanges. Helton felt the running backs were the primary culprits, though it didn't always seem that way from my vantage point.
I asked who has stood out on defense thus far and Helton mentioned OLB Porter Gustin, ILBs Cam Smith, John Houston and Levi Jones, and DT Brandon Pili.
He also complimented OLBs Kana’i Mauga ("the football instincts") and Hunter Echols ("the first step he has off the ball"), and he offered heavy praise for S Talanoa Hufanga: "Wow. ... He seems to get to the ball in a flash. He's got great football instincts."
Helton was asked a good question by Dan Weber, who brought up Sam Darnold working primarily under center and running play-action during his Pro Day workout -- and he was excellent doing so -- and wondered if USC would utilize more of that moving forward. Helton said they're installing some plays under center, while noting that because they plan to lean more on the running game this season they'll have the QB under center more or be in a Pistol formation.
Former players LenDale White, Hershel Dennis and Chad Wheeler, and incoming freshmen J.T Daniels and Devon Williams were among those in attendance today. Helton said practice will never be closed to former players. I am hoping to collaborate with LenDale in the near future.
1-on-1s (OL vs. DL)
Juliano Falaniko beats Erik Krommenhoek
Chuma Edoga stops Christian Rector
Andrew Vorhees stops Malik Dorton
Brandon Pili beats Brett Neilon
Chris Brown stops Liam Jimmons
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Austin Jackson stops Porter Gustin
Jordan Iosefa beats Krommenhoek
Krommenhoek stops Bryce Matthews
Rector beats Jalen McKenzie
Pili beats Justin Dedich
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Gustin beats Clayton Johnston
Hunter Echols beats Tyler Petite
Petite stops Falaniko
Edoga stops Kana'i Mauga
Pili beats Neilon
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Vorhees stops Jay Tufele
Falaniko beats Petite
Matthews beats Petite
Gustin beats MKenzie
Alijah Vera-Tucker stops Tufele
Impressions from 7-on-7:
Jack Sears showed great anticipation on a deep touchdown to Velus Jones. He saw that Velus would get to the corner of the field and neatly dropped a pass over the top of two defenders.
Sears later hit Petite between two defenders in the back of the end zone. Sears' timing was perfect here, too, and he put it high where only Petite could get his mitts on it. Petite initially tipped it but then plucked it out of the air and got his foot down for the score.
Sears is conducting 7-on-7 like a starter. He works through his progressions, he's decisive, he's accurate. Next step: 11-on-11.
Impressions from 11-on-11:
The period began with Matt Fink fumbling an exchange and getting picked off by Ajene Harris on a throw that was at least five yards from the closest receiver (Petite). Fink also threw a pass that hit Toa Lobendahn on the back of the head during
7-on-7s. That might be a first. He also had a dangerous throw that was nearly intercepted. Rough day at the office, though Helton was praiseworthy of the QB play today.
It wasn't all bad with Fink, who near the end of practice baited the defense right and then dumped a pass to an open Dom Davis for a TD. He then faked a handoff and ran left for a big gain. He finished off with a nice, high pass for the 6-4 Grimes that was dropped.
There were a few drops today, including one each by Vaughns and Imatorbhebhe.
Vaughns was again the leading receiver. Love how sharp his cuts are. he's also showing more speed in his routes.
Imatorbhebhe had one of his finest practices as a Trojan. He caught an intermediate pass from Sears near the sideline and then burned past a series of defenders and delivered a stiff arm en route to a huge gain. Later, he catches a long throw from walk-on QB Holden Thomas in the corner for a TD. We're seeing Imatrbhebhe's athleticism come to life. He's looking like their third outside WR, behind Vaughns and Pittman. Would be fair to say he's probably benefited most from the absence of Joseph Lewis.
They ran Imatorbhebhe on a reverse, though those rarely seem to work in practice for this team and this one was no different. Hufanga was all over it and took Imatorbhebhe down near the line of scrimmage.
Sears showed off his quick feet in this period. On one play, he scooped up a bad snap and and alertly hit a hole to pick up big yards. He evaded a couple sacks as well with his slide step. He finished practice with a really sharp throw to Vaughns for a TD. I think we're seeing a bit more zip from him.
Jordan Iosefa, who I was surprised Helton didn't mention as a standout thus far, stuffed Ware on a run. (We're not seeing much from the running game at this point.) Iosefa has really improved in this area over the last year. As I keep saying, USC needs to shore up its run defense. Josh Fatu had a nice season last year and is a talented pass rusher, but he left much to be desired versus the run.
Ware was later slammed by Juliano Falaniko, whose added size is showing up. A play later, Falaniko pressures Sears. He's got a great base. Helton said they're still figuring out what they've got behind Gustin and Iosefa.
Chase Williams broke up a pass to Imatorbhebhe. I like how aggressive Williams is already.
Also forgot to mention earlier that we saw Davis, Vaughns, Velus and Harris used to fair catch punts. Special teams periods have been limited, so I really don't know yet who all is seriously being considered for returns.
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USC is off for the next three days and will resume practice Tuesday. I'll post my standouts from Week 2 this weekend.
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