USC wrapped up its third spring practice Friday, its first in shells. I took a lot of notes during what was an extended 11-on-11 period. But first, here's a rundown of the news:
- Freshman OL Andrew Vorhees is getting married this evening and Jack Sears is one of the groomsman. The two were thus absent Friday. Helton said he would be heading to the wedding after practice.
- Brandon Pili and Jacob Lichtenstein didn't finish practice. I didn't see what happened with Pili but Lichtenstein suffered a lower body injury. Coach Clay Helton said he is hopeful both will return after spring break (which begins now).
- Vavae Malepeai and Marlon Tuipulotu spent a considerable amount of time running. Helton said previously he hopes to have Malepeai back after the break.
- Jamel Cook, who's said to be deciding on where he will transfer, attended part of Friday's practice. So did former O-linemen Chad Wheeler and Damien Mama, and 2019 CBs Chris Steele and Jeremiah Criddell.
Notes:
Helton summoned the entire team before the end of the final team period after what he deemed one too many post-play scuffles. (There were at least three.) He told us afterward he wants everyone trained to immediately look toward the sideline after a play since USC is a no-huddle offense and often faces no-huddle offense. Today's practice was chippier than usual, perhaps because they were dealing with contact for the first time since the Cotton Bowl.
Helton said Jay Tufele and Jacon Lichtenstein have stood out thus far among the young D-linemen. I would add Caleb Tremblay had a strong practice Friday.
Helton said now that Baxter is no longer coaching tight ends, he (along with Helton) is freed up to monitor the entire team's fundamentals and techniques, which they deemed subpar against Ohio State.
Helton was asked about Kana'i Mauga and noted that the freshman OLB has added 12 pounds of muscle, and without sacrficing movement skills. "He reminds me a lot of a young Jordan Iosefa," Helton said.
It dawned on me recently that in the time Helton has been here (2010-present), USC hasn't featured two receivers at the same time that are as tall as Michael Pittman (6-4) and Tyler Vaughns (6-2). I would think this could be an important trait for a new quarterback, so I asked Helton what their size could mean for the offense.
"As you see sometimes with those smaller corners, to be able to go up the top and play at the rim is advantageous," he said. "What I love about both guys is they're big men but they have little-man skills. They have the ability to transition, both of them, and you see those guys glide in and out of cuts with ease. That's what makes both of them truly special.
"They have the size to dominate you physically but they really have the transition skills to be able to to run correct routes as well as make yards after contact. ... We're going to need them to play big."
1-on-1:
Biggie breaks up a pass to Pittman
Ajene Harris beats Trevon Sidney
Vaughns beats Isaiah Langley
Keyshawn Young beats Jonathan Lockett
Marvell Tell breaks up a pass to Velus Jones
Tyler Petite beats C.J. Pollard
***
Grimes beats Chase Williams
Pittman beats Greg Johnson
Jones draw a PI from Ykili Ross
Erik Krommenhoek beats Bubba Bolden (short pass)
Vaughns beats Langley
Jones beats Biggie
***
Harris beats Young
Talanoa Hufanga nearly intercepts a pass to Petite
Williams beats Grimes
Biggie breaks up a pass to Pittman
Sidney beats Ross
Pollard beats Krommenhoek
11-on-11:
Grimes makes a catch and takes a hit from Williams.
Matt Fink hits Vaughns on a post route and then on a short pass.
Dom Davis is popped by Langley during a short gain.
Fink throws short to Pittman and Biggie breaks it up. This was one of the best practices we've seen from Biggie since training camp last year.
Fink completes a short pass to Vaughns.
Fink is picked off by Ross, and there was really no receiver in the neighborhood.
Fink's next throw is directly in the chest of Iosefa, who can't corral the INT.
Fink hits Vaughns on a deep out. (Up and down day for Fink, as you can probably tell.)
***
Holden Thomas hits Young short on consecutive plays.
Thomas has Krommenoek open and it goes throw the young tight end's hands.
Thomas throws deep for Jones and it's very incomplete.
Thomas connects with Grimes for a 20-yard gain. Great extension from Grimes near the sideline.
***
Aca'Cedric Ware is stopped by Tremblay.
Fink throws too far for Sidney and then throws behind him a play later.
Fink rolls left, throws into traffic and is picked off by Langley.
***
Thomas hits Jones for a first down over the middle.
Jones takes a carry out of the backfield and runs through a defender for a nice gain.
Davis is stopped by Hufanga.
Davis is given a nice hole and he scoots right through for a 20-plus yard TD run.
***
Thomas hits Grimes for a first down -- Johnson was in coverage. (Positive sign that he was participating in this contact period. Didn't see Isaiah Pola-Mao out there during 11-on-11. As I mentioned yesterday, the plan is to ease him into full contact over the course of spring as he works his way back from shoulder surgery.)
Thomas targets Young, who reaches back to make a nice catch on Williams. Young then turns upfield for a TD, and that's how practice ends. It should be noted, Williams did have a pick-six earlier during 7-on-7s. It's been good to see many young players get a healthy amount of reps in Week 1.
USC is off for the next week and will return to practice Tuesday, March 20. I'll continue the
18 for '18 series, which I intentionally spilled into spring break so that I'd have a better handle on possible developments over the final four weeks of practice. I'll also list my standouts of the week at each position.
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