The USC football team is back in action. The Trojans assembled at Loker track stadium Tuesday morning for conditioning and about an hour-long throwing session.
Let's start with the news:
OLB Wole Betiku was sporting a protective walking boot on his left foot. We learned he has turf toe.
OLB Don Hill participated and a USC coach tells us he has officially rejoined the team.
LB Cam Smith and OL Toa Lobendahn, both of whom are on the mend from ACL injuries, ran sprints after the session with the rest of the team.
Ajene Harris worked exclusively at cornerback. The plan is for him to begin fall practice primarily as a corner while also seeing some time at receiver.
Incoming freshman CB Jack Jones participated. (I believe he was the only non-spring enrollee that was here. The rest typically start trickling in once the second summer school session begins on June 29.)
Adoree' Jackson was not in attendance.
S Chris Hawkins (ankle), S John Plattenburg (ankle), DB Ykili Ross (shoulder), DL Noah Jefferson (elbow) and WR Michael Pittman (collarbone) participated.
One player I didn't see out there was QB Jalen Greene. (Perhaps he had class.)
OL Chuma Edoga briefly lined up at DL, presumably because there weren't enough linemen available. He had a sack.
LB Scott Felix, who is suspended for his redshirt senior season, participated in the conditioning portion of the workout.
Walk-on TE Cyrus Hobbi, who was not granted a sixth year of eligibility, was also present.
Here were some of the highlights:
J. Jones had a pair of interceptions. The first one came on a downfield throw from Sam Darnold in which Josh Imatorbhebhe fell down. Jones, who was with Imatorbhebhe stride for stride, made a dazzling one-handed, over-the-shoulder grab.
His second pick came on a forced throw in the flat to Pittman. Uncharacteristic decision from Max Browne; Jones read all the way.
Jones had another nice play where he initially lined up to press Imatorbhebhe and then backed off after surveying the offense. He then sniffed out a pass to the slot receiver and closed really fast. This was the first I've seen him up close and he looked really natural at cornerback.
Darnold looked particularly sharp. He hit JuJu Smith-Schuster on a bomb. He made it look effortless, needing only a half-step while standing in the pocket before firing to JuJu downfield on time and in the numbers.
Later, on consecutive plays, Darnold hit a wide open Steven Mitchell Jr. down the left sideline and then hit Imatorbhebhe on the opposite sideline. Jones was beaten on the first throw and Isaiah Langley on the second one.
Darnold put a slick double move on Hill in the backfield that turned Hill around.
Hill would later record a strip-sack on Matt Fink.
Ajene had a pair of interceptions. For the first one, he made a nice play on a deep ball while defending Pittman, who might not have run the correct route. Browne made the throw. Ajene then intercepted a throw over the middle from Fink.
One play after Browne's INT, he hit Deontay Burnett downfield for a long gain. Browne's timing on the throw was perfect. He then connected with Isaac Whitney on a deep ball.
Plattenburg delivered a notable hit on walk-on fullback Reuben Peters.
Uchenna Nwosu and Mitchell both appear to have added some bulk.
The next player-run-practice is scheduled for Thursday.
Let's start with the news:
OLB Wole Betiku was sporting a protective walking boot on his left foot. We learned he has turf toe.
OLB Don Hill participated and a USC coach tells us he has officially rejoined the team.
LB Cam Smith and OL Toa Lobendahn, both of whom are on the mend from ACL injuries, ran sprints after the session with the rest of the team.
Ajene Harris worked exclusively at cornerback. The plan is for him to begin fall practice primarily as a corner while also seeing some time at receiver.
Incoming freshman CB Jack Jones participated. (I believe he was the only non-spring enrollee that was here. The rest typically start trickling in once the second summer school session begins on June 29.)
Adoree' Jackson was not in attendance.
S Chris Hawkins (ankle), S John Plattenburg (ankle), DB Ykili Ross (shoulder), DL Noah Jefferson (elbow) and WR Michael Pittman (collarbone) participated.
One player I didn't see out there was QB Jalen Greene. (Perhaps he had class.)
OL Chuma Edoga briefly lined up at DL, presumably because there weren't enough linemen available. He had a sack.
LB Scott Felix, who is suspended for his redshirt senior season, participated in the conditioning portion of the workout.
Walk-on TE Cyrus Hobbi, who was not granted a sixth year of eligibility, was also present.
Here were some of the highlights:
J. Jones had a pair of interceptions. The first one came on a downfield throw from Sam Darnold in which Josh Imatorbhebhe fell down. Jones, who was with Imatorbhebhe stride for stride, made a dazzling one-handed, over-the-shoulder grab.
His second pick came on a forced throw in the flat to Pittman. Uncharacteristic decision from Max Browne; Jones read all the way.
Jones had another nice play where he initially lined up to press Imatorbhebhe and then backed off after surveying the offense. He then sniffed out a pass to the slot receiver and closed really fast. This was the first I've seen him up close and he looked really natural at cornerback.
Darnold looked particularly sharp. He hit JuJu Smith-Schuster on a bomb. He made it look effortless, needing only a half-step while standing in the pocket before firing to JuJu downfield on time and in the numbers.
Later, on consecutive plays, Darnold hit a wide open Steven Mitchell Jr. down the left sideline and then hit Imatorbhebhe on the opposite sideline. Jones was beaten on the first throw and Isaiah Langley on the second one.
Darnold put a slick double move on Hill in the backfield that turned Hill around.
Hill would later record a strip-sack on Matt Fink.
Ajene had a pair of interceptions. For the first one, he made a nice play on a deep ball while defending Pittman, who might not have run the correct route. Browne made the throw. Ajene then intercepted a throw over the middle from Fink.
One play after Browne's INT, he hit Deontay Burnett downfield for a long gain. Browne's timing on the throw was perfect. He then connected with Isaac Whitney on a deep ball.
Plattenburg delivered a notable hit on walk-on fullback Reuben Peters.
Uchenna Nwosu and Mitchell both appear to have added some bulk.
The next player-run-practice is scheduled for Thursday.
