Through one week of training camp, USC has evenly split its reps among the four quarterbacks. Coach Clay Helton confirmed Thursday that distribution will continue until at least next Saturday's end-of-camp scrimmage at the Coliseum.
Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell said earlier in the week he would like to narrow down the competition to just one or two QBs after "a week, week and a half." With Helton initially stating he'd like the derby to carry on until the day before the season opener, redistributing the reps after two weeks would seem to be a compromise for both parties.
USC will be scrimmaging for a significant part of Saturday's practice, which Helton deemed an important evaluation for the position. That could go for the offensive line as well.
Helton, as he has stated before, reiterated his belief that the O-line is two deep at every spot, while acknowledging the offensive pace in this offense necessitates using more linemen than USC has in recent years. He then added he'll be pulling more from his bench at every spot. The Trojans have further increased the tempo in practice since the spring and it's something they intend to continue during the season.
"I think we're going to have go (deeper) everywhere, at all positions," Helton said. "You're garnering the amount of reps this offense can do -- 80, 90, 100 reps -- you want to be at your best."
The former Memphis OC likened the substitution patterns to what he saw from John Calipari's best teams that could attack opponents in waves.
"The pace and the tempo and the aggressiveness never let up the entire game," Helton said. "That's why we're training a lot of people right now."
USC's first-team O-line has remain unchanged since left tackle Austin Jackson returned earlier in the week, and really since spring -- Alijah Vera-Tucker at left guard, Brett Neilon at center, Andrew Vorhees at right guard and Jalen McKenzie at right tackle. The second-team has recently featured (from left to right) Drew Richmond, Liam Jimmons, Justin Dedich, Liam Douglass and Clayton Bradley.
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HIGHLIGHTS
The offense dominated 7-on-7 today. It began with JT Daniels, who carved up the defense while distributing the ball to multiple wideouts. He closed out his drive with a TD pass to Tyler Vaughns. Jack Sears was next and he quickly completed a pair of passes to Devon Williams before also hitting Vaughns for a TD. Kedon Slovis went third and led the offense inside the 5 before the drive stalled. Matt Fink then immediately connected with Josh Falo for a long TD pass.
In 11-on-11...
This is where the defense rallied back. Daniels opened his first series with a deep pass outside to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Freshman Chris Steele covered it well and broke up the pass . A play later, Steele nearly came away with an interception on another long throw from Daniels.
The sophomore QB was sacked by Jay Tufele and Christian Rector soon after. Daniels later attempted consecutive passes to Devon Williams. The first was broken up by Olaijah Griffin, while the second was completed as Williams made sure to get in front of OG. Once he learns to position his body better, he'll be a handful.
Daniels had another pass broken up by either Steele or Johnson, both of whom converged on a throw downfield to Vaughns. Daniels came back with a completion to Vaughns for a first down.
Sears had a rough start as well, first missing Williams high and then taking a sack from Kana'i Mauga. He did manage to hit Jones on a cross. The staff really appears to be utilizing Velus better, getting him in open space in parts of the field other than behind the line of scrimmage or 40 yards deep. Neither of those scenarios typically worked out in the past.
Slovis closed practice with a couple good throws, including a swing pass to Stephen Carr that went for a nice gain and a short toss to Jude Wolfe in the flats. We've seen the freshman tight end become more involved since returning to practice. Helton noted afterward that he wants to cycle three guys there.
NEWS
Helton confirmed that Griffin's dual shoulder surgeries last winter were to repair torn labrums. It was an issue the medical staff identified when he was initially examined before his freshman year but Griffin was able to make it through nearly the entire season without needing to be operated on. Similarly, safety Isaiah Pola-Mao arrived with loose shoulders but to varying degrees, which is why his surgeries came a year apart.
Johnson took reps at nickel Thursday, with Chase Williams working at safety. Helton said the movement is merely a contingency plan.
"We deal in worst-case scenarios," Helton said. "We just don't hope for the best. We try to plan for those situations that may come up."
Helton felt like the defense responded with a better showing after allowing a few big plays Wednesday, and he singled out its effort in front of the entire team afterward. For what it's worth, that's not the norm for the defense in a practice with no pads. Those typically favor the offense.
CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart did not practice because of a groin issue. Steele received reps with the first team.
TB Vavae Malepeai, DT Brandon Pili and CB Max Williams remained out.
Griffin, Carr, Jones and St. Brown were among those who returned kickoffs.
USC resumes practice Saturday.
Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell said earlier in the week he would like to narrow down the competition to just one or two QBs after "a week, week and a half." With Helton initially stating he'd like the derby to carry on until the day before the season opener, redistributing the reps after two weeks would seem to be a compromise for both parties.
USC will be scrimmaging for a significant part of Saturday's practice, which Helton deemed an important evaluation for the position. That could go for the offensive line as well.
Helton, as he has stated before, reiterated his belief that the O-line is two deep at every spot, while acknowledging the offensive pace in this offense necessitates using more linemen than USC has in recent years. He then added he'll be pulling more from his bench at every spot. The Trojans have further increased the tempo in practice since the spring and it's something they intend to continue during the season.
"I think we're going to have go (deeper) everywhere, at all positions," Helton said. "You're garnering the amount of reps this offense can do -- 80, 90, 100 reps -- you want to be at your best."
The former Memphis OC likened the substitution patterns to what he saw from John Calipari's best teams that could attack opponents in waves.
"The pace and the tempo and the aggressiveness never let up the entire game," Helton said. "That's why we're training a lot of people right now."
USC's first-team O-line has remain unchanged since left tackle Austin Jackson returned earlier in the week, and really since spring -- Alijah Vera-Tucker at left guard, Brett Neilon at center, Andrew Vorhees at right guard and Jalen McKenzie at right tackle. The second-team has recently featured (from left to right) Drew Richmond, Liam Jimmons, Justin Dedich, Liam Douglass and Clayton Bradley.
***
HIGHLIGHTS
The offense dominated 7-on-7 today. It began with JT Daniels, who carved up the defense while distributing the ball to multiple wideouts. He closed out his drive with a TD pass to Tyler Vaughns. Jack Sears was next and he quickly completed a pair of passes to Devon Williams before also hitting Vaughns for a TD. Kedon Slovis went third and led the offense inside the 5 before the drive stalled. Matt Fink then immediately connected with Josh Falo for a long TD pass.
In 11-on-11...
This is where the defense rallied back. Daniels opened his first series with a deep pass outside to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Freshman Chris Steele covered it well and broke up the pass . A play later, Steele nearly came away with an interception on another long throw from Daniels.
The sophomore QB was sacked by Jay Tufele and Christian Rector soon after. Daniels later attempted consecutive passes to Devon Williams. The first was broken up by Olaijah Griffin, while the second was completed as Williams made sure to get in front of OG. Once he learns to position his body better, he'll be a handful.
Daniels had another pass broken up by either Steele or Johnson, both of whom converged on a throw downfield to Vaughns. Daniels came back with a completion to Vaughns for a first down.
Sears had a rough start as well, first missing Williams high and then taking a sack from Kana'i Mauga. He did manage to hit Jones on a cross. The staff really appears to be utilizing Velus better, getting him in open space in parts of the field other than behind the line of scrimmage or 40 yards deep. Neither of those scenarios typically worked out in the past.
Slovis closed practice with a couple good throws, including a swing pass to Stephen Carr that went for a nice gain and a short toss to Jude Wolfe in the flats. We've seen the freshman tight end become more involved since returning to practice. Helton noted afterward that he wants to cycle three guys there.
NEWS
Helton confirmed that Griffin's dual shoulder surgeries last winter were to repair torn labrums. It was an issue the medical staff identified when he was initially examined before his freshman year but Griffin was able to make it through nearly the entire season without needing to be operated on. Similarly, safety Isaiah Pola-Mao arrived with loose shoulders but to varying degrees, which is why his surgeries came a year apart.
Johnson took reps at nickel Thursday, with Chase Williams working at safety. Helton said the movement is merely a contingency plan.
"We deal in worst-case scenarios," Helton said. "We just don't hope for the best. We try to plan for those situations that may come up."
Helton felt like the defense responded with a better showing after allowing a few big plays Wednesday, and he singled out its effort in front of the entire team afterward. For what it's worth, that's not the norm for the defense in a practice with no pads. Those typically favor the offense.
CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart did not practice because of a groin issue. Steele received reps with the first team.
TB Vavae Malepeai, DT Brandon Pili and CB Max Williams remained out.
Griffin, Carr, Jones and St. Brown were among those who returned kickoffs.
USC resumes practice Saturday.
