Some things I learned, some things I wasn't sure about and some things I found to be flat out interesting from Cam Smith on Pac-12 Media Day:
1. He has no regrets about coming back for his senior season.
He's said in the past he returned because he wanted to improve his draft stock. Today he also made mention of wanting to complete his degree, be an All-American and he said he and the team have "a lot more to prove." He participated in graduation ceremonies this past May and has just one class remaining to graduate, an eight week, one-unit course on first aid.
2. He deeply respects Porter Gustin.
"We kind of all want to be like him but it’s tough because he’s trained pretty much his entire life for his body to be like that and respond that way, I look at him as a true inspiration, to work out with him. I’m just trying to get as much knowledge as I can about my body and eating and bettering myself through him. He’s a freak of nature."
3. The closeness of their friendship has directly led to Smith adopting a better diet.
"Believe it or not, I’m craving something sweet. That’s like my biggest weakness, is something sweet. I love candy and sour stuff and I swear I think about Porter. Would he want—would he look at me and say, man, what a disappointment you are right now? His discipline level, passion for to be great is something that I think about all the time. Like I said, he’s an inspiration for me, motivates me to want to be better. It’s my last go around and I got one more shot to leave my legacy here and be the best player I can and I’m giving it my all because of him and with his help and the rest of my teammates."
4. He's also motivated by USC's great linebackers of the past. In recent years, he's gotten to know Chris Claiborne and Willie McGinest.
"Those guys are the reason why we wake up early in the morning, in my opinion. Those guys started it all. They created what USC means to people and the tradition of excellence. Those guys every day, they motivate me to wake up and want to be like them. … I model my game after some of those great guys."
5. There were hard learning lessons from games like Ohio State and Notre Dame last year
"All those games rely on us to be together as a whole, together as a team. No matter what happens during the game, it’s important for us to continue to grow and have each other’s backs and love each other and be brothers. That’s what’s important. It’s never anyone’s fault. We got to grow together as a team. Those games are always either in front of us or in the back of our head. It's motivation for us to get better and that’s our goal."
6. There's not a clear answer as to why USC is 16-0 at home under Clay Helton but 10-10 outside the Coliseum.
"I think anybody is tough to play on the road. You’re not with your fans, its not comfortable, you got to travel, whatever, that’s how it is. We have to rise above that and play our football no matter where we’re at, no matter who we're against, no matter what time of day it is. That’s something Coach Helton preaches every day. We don’t just get to roll our helmet out there every day. We got to show up."
7. When asked who the best QB in the Pac-12 is, he mentioned Oregon's Justin Herbert, Stanford's K.J. Costello and Arizona's Kahlil Tate.
Regarding Tate, he said: "He’s so dynamic and such a threat to defenses whether it’s him throwing the football or running the football. Those dual threats and option quarterbacks are tough to play because they can do a lot. ... You don’t ever think you have him down. If you think that you’re mistaken. I’ve seen him in the few games I’ve watched, get out of anything and everything. He’s a great player and I look forward to playing him."
8. The trait that oughest quarterback to play against is a smart quarterback.
"For example, Luke Falk, last year, that was one of the games I made sure I watched a lot of film of what he was doing, pre-snap stuff and what he was switching to. There were times where we would almost battle against each other when we were changing our calls. A guy that prepares really well, knows his offense inside and out as well as knows our defense and what we’re doing. That makes it tough because they can switch and call any play and I got to be o my toes and be ready to call something new too. Those guys that have that ability and pre-snap reads make it tough."
9. Practice isn't the same without Sam Darnold under center, but the defense is not particularly concerned about who wins the QB competition.
"It's different just because we had that comfortability of having a guy that we knew exactly what it was going to be like when he steps on the field. We have an older guy right now in Matt Fink who’s seen Sam lead the team and Max Browne as well be a leader, and just their variations in styles. And then Jack Sears, who’s showing his athleticism and his difficulty for our defense to play against him. I think he’s done a really good job. And then JT’s coming in and doing his thing as well and just kept his head down and focused on improving. I think we’re in a good position with three guys. No matter what happens in fall camp, we got their back and we’re ready to go no matter what happens."
10. The QB situation being unsettled does put a bigger onus on the defense, even in training camp.
"We’ve actually all talked about this with our defense. During fall camp, we’re going to give every quarterback their own challenges because we’re comfortable in our defense. We know what we’re doing, with our third year being here. It’s our time, it’s our job to challenge them, to disguise our coverages, to get after them, to talk to them, to get in their heads. Because that’s what they’re going to face when they see the opponent. Right now that’s our role in terms of fall camp and getting these guys ready and getting the offense ready. When the season starts its our job to get the ball in their hands."
11. While the projections aren't as high coming into the season, the confidence level among the players hasn't waned.
"I think that our culture is better than it’s ever been. We’ve got A bunch of guys have bought in to what we’re trying to do and want to win. Something that makes it special for all of us is how competitive we all are. We share the same common goal and same belief in our head and just love playing with each other. It’s a very close group and it’s going to be fun one."
12. He's taken up yoga lately with Gustin and Jack Sears.
1. He has no regrets about coming back for his senior season.
He's said in the past he returned because he wanted to improve his draft stock. Today he also made mention of wanting to complete his degree, be an All-American and he said he and the team have "a lot more to prove." He participated in graduation ceremonies this past May and has just one class remaining to graduate, an eight week, one-unit course on first aid.
2. He deeply respects Porter Gustin.
"We kind of all want to be like him but it’s tough because he’s trained pretty much his entire life for his body to be like that and respond that way, I look at him as a true inspiration, to work out with him. I’m just trying to get as much knowledge as I can about my body and eating and bettering myself through him. He’s a freak of nature."
3. The closeness of their friendship has directly led to Smith adopting a better diet.
"Believe it or not, I’m craving something sweet. That’s like my biggest weakness, is something sweet. I love candy and sour stuff and I swear I think about Porter. Would he want—would he look at me and say, man, what a disappointment you are right now? His discipline level, passion for to be great is something that I think about all the time. Like I said, he’s an inspiration for me, motivates me to want to be better. It’s my last go around and I got one more shot to leave my legacy here and be the best player I can and I’m giving it my all because of him and with his help and the rest of my teammates."
4. He's also motivated by USC's great linebackers of the past. In recent years, he's gotten to know Chris Claiborne and Willie McGinest.
"Those guys are the reason why we wake up early in the morning, in my opinion. Those guys started it all. They created what USC means to people and the tradition of excellence. Those guys every day, they motivate me to wake up and want to be like them. … I model my game after some of those great guys."
5. There were hard learning lessons from games like Ohio State and Notre Dame last year
"All those games rely on us to be together as a whole, together as a team. No matter what happens during the game, it’s important for us to continue to grow and have each other’s backs and love each other and be brothers. That’s what’s important. It’s never anyone’s fault. We got to grow together as a team. Those games are always either in front of us or in the back of our head. It's motivation for us to get better and that’s our goal."
6. There's not a clear answer as to why USC is 16-0 at home under Clay Helton but 10-10 outside the Coliseum.
"I think anybody is tough to play on the road. You’re not with your fans, its not comfortable, you got to travel, whatever, that’s how it is. We have to rise above that and play our football no matter where we’re at, no matter who we're against, no matter what time of day it is. That’s something Coach Helton preaches every day. We don’t just get to roll our helmet out there every day. We got to show up."
7. When asked who the best QB in the Pac-12 is, he mentioned Oregon's Justin Herbert, Stanford's K.J. Costello and Arizona's Kahlil Tate.
Regarding Tate, he said: "He’s so dynamic and such a threat to defenses whether it’s him throwing the football or running the football. Those dual threats and option quarterbacks are tough to play because they can do a lot. ... You don’t ever think you have him down. If you think that you’re mistaken. I’ve seen him in the few games I’ve watched, get out of anything and everything. He’s a great player and I look forward to playing him."
8. The trait that oughest quarterback to play against is a smart quarterback.
"For example, Luke Falk, last year, that was one of the games I made sure I watched a lot of film of what he was doing, pre-snap stuff and what he was switching to. There were times where we would almost battle against each other when we were changing our calls. A guy that prepares really well, knows his offense inside and out as well as knows our defense and what we’re doing. That makes it tough because they can switch and call any play and I got to be o my toes and be ready to call something new too. Those guys that have that ability and pre-snap reads make it tough."
9. Practice isn't the same without Sam Darnold under center, but the defense is not particularly concerned about who wins the QB competition.
"It's different just because we had that comfortability of having a guy that we knew exactly what it was going to be like when he steps on the field. We have an older guy right now in Matt Fink who’s seen Sam lead the team and Max Browne as well be a leader, and just their variations in styles. And then Jack Sears, who’s showing his athleticism and his difficulty for our defense to play against him. I think he’s done a really good job. And then JT’s coming in and doing his thing as well and just kept his head down and focused on improving. I think we’re in a good position with three guys. No matter what happens in fall camp, we got their back and we’re ready to go no matter what happens."
10. The QB situation being unsettled does put a bigger onus on the defense, even in training camp.
"We’ve actually all talked about this with our defense. During fall camp, we’re going to give every quarterback their own challenges because we’re comfortable in our defense. We know what we’re doing, with our third year being here. It’s our time, it’s our job to challenge them, to disguise our coverages, to get after them, to talk to them, to get in their heads. Because that’s what they’re going to face when they see the opponent. Right now that’s our role in terms of fall camp and getting these guys ready and getting the offense ready. When the season starts its our job to get the ball in their hands."
11. While the projections aren't as high coming into the season, the confidence level among the players hasn't waned.
"I think that our culture is better than it’s ever been. We’ve got A bunch of guys have bought in to what we’re trying to do and want to win. Something that makes it special for all of us is how competitive we all are. We share the same common goal and same belief in our head and just love playing with each other. It’s a very close group and it’s going to be fun one."
12. He's taken up yoga lately with Gustin and Jack Sears.
