USC practiced in shells and shorts Tuesday. I'm getting the sense Thursdays and Saturdays will be in full pads moving forward with Tuesdays like this. Here's a rundown of the news:
TE Tyler Petite (back), CB Je'Quari Godfrey (hamstring), WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (dizziness), WR Randal Grimes (groin), TB Dominic Davis (dizziness) did not finish practice.
WR Michael Pittman (shoulder) did not practice.
TB Vavae Malepeai (hamstring) got limited work.
Clayton Johnston took the first-team reps at left tackle. Austin Jackson said he's been informed they will rotate days with the first team until spring ends.
I asked Clay Helton if there were any linemen that he sees potentially making a jump. Interestingly, he pointed to the two freshman centers, Brett Neilon and Justin Dedich. He likes how they're competing against Brandon Pili and Jay Tufele, noting they've limited assignment errors and physical beats.
Helton also highlighted the play of veterans Jonathan Lockett, Christian Rector and Connor Murphy.
Helton said while nothing is being added to the offensive system in the wake of Sam Darnold's departure, they are emphasizing different things that play to the strengths of the personnel. Helton noted the mobility of both Matt Fink and Jack Sears. I asked Helton how they compare as runners and he said their speed is similar -- you might recall Bryan Ellis said in December that Sears was actually faster than Fink and Darnold -- while Sears has impressed Helton with his pocket awareness. He said Sears has often found running lanes after going through his reads and not having an open receiver.
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Impressions from 11-on-11:
Team periods were a bit lighter today. The emphasis seemed to be more on individual drills and special teams. The defense was pretty disruptive. The final 11-on-11 period opened with Porter Gustin bursting into the backfield and the whistle blowing the play dead even though Sears, who primarily worked with the first team, quickly got off his spot and appeared to avoid the sack. A moment later, Gustin broke up a pass while Marvell Tell delivered a big hit on Josh Imatorbhebhe. Gustin looked like himself today. He hasn't been this guy every day but definitely for a few of them. When he's good, the entire defense seems to be at another level.
Fink was very efficient today, completing nearly every pass in the final 11-on-11 period. He's also getting rid of the ball quickly. It looks like he's working his primary first read a lot, but I can't say for certain. Something that I do think needs to be addressed is his placement. Even with some of his short throws he'll throw behind the receiver, in a spot where it can be caught but it breaks their stride.
Sears had a play where he had a defender closing in and he jumped while throwing it, a la Darnold vs. Texas, but with different results: Bubba Bolden broke up the pass. Bolden continues to be very active in the secondary. Good sign for a young player. Levi Jones also batted down a pass. Haven't seen a push for John Houston's starting job at WLB yet but maybe it's coming.
Today included a blitz period, forcing the quarterbacks to make a lot of quick decisions. Jordan Iosefa appeared to have a clear shot at Sears, who quickly bolted and dumped a pass to Tyler Vaughns. That brought out a roar from QBs coach Bryan Ellis. Couldn't tell whether Ellis was pleased with Sears for making a play or upset that he held the ball too long.
Near the end of practice, Josh Falo caught a pass in the flats and turned upfield for a big gain. Would like to see him play a bit faster. I think he has it in him.
***
USC will next practice Thursday.
We've posted video interviews with Matt Fink and Tim Drevno and They Said It featuring Bryan Ellis, Neil Callaway, Jack Sears and Austin Jackson.
TE Tyler Petite (back), CB Je'Quari Godfrey (hamstring), WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (dizziness), WR Randal Grimes (groin), TB Dominic Davis (dizziness) did not finish practice.
WR Michael Pittman (shoulder) did not practice.
TB Vavae Malepeai (hamstring) got limited work.
Clayton Johnston took the first-team reps at left tackle. Austin Jackson said he's been informed they will rotate days with the first team until spring ends.
I asked Clay Helton if there were any linemen that he sees potentially making a jump. Interestingly, he pointed to the two freshman centers, Brett Neilon and Justin Dedich. He likes how they're competing against Brandon Pili and Jay Tufele, noting they've limited assignment errors and physical beats.
Helton also highlighted the play of veterans Jonathan Lockett, Christian Rector and Connor Murphy.
Helton said while nothing is being added to the offensive system in the wake of Sam Darnold's departure, they are emphasizing different things that play to the strengths of the personnel. Helton noted the mobility of both Matt Fink and Jack Sears. I asked Helton how they compare as runners and he said their speed is similar -- you might recall Bryan Ellis said in December that Sears was actually faster than Fink and Darnold -- while Sears has impressed Helton with his pocket awareness. He said Sears has often found running lanes after going through his reads and not having an open receiver.
***
Impressions from 11-on-11:
Team periods were a bit lighter today. The emphasis seemed to be more on individual drills and special teams. The defense was pretty disruptive. The final 11-on-11 period opened with Porter Gustin bursting into the backfield and the whistle blowing the play dead even though Sears, who primarily worked with the first team, quickly got off his spot and appeared to avoid the sack. A moment later, Gustin broke up a pass while Marvell Tell delivered a big hit on Josh Imatorbhebhe. Gustin looked like himself today. He hasn't been this guy every day but definitely for a few of them. When he's good, the entire defense seems to be at another level.
Fink was very efficient today, completing nearly every pass in the final 11-on-11 period. He's also getting rid of the ball quickly. It looks like he's working his primary first read a lot, but I can't say for certain. Something that I do think needs to be addressed is his placement. Even with some of his short throws he'll throw behind the receiver, in a spot where it can be caught but it breaks their stride.
Sears had a play where he had a defender closing in and he jumped while throwing it, a la Darnold vs. Texas, but with different results: Bubba Bolden broke up the pass. Bolden continues to be very active in the secondary. Good sign for a young player. Levi Jones also batted down a pass. Haven't seen a push for John Houston's starting job at WLB yet but maybe it's coming.
Today included a blitz period, forcing the quarterbacks to make a lot of quick decisions. Jordan Iosefa appeared to have a clear shot at Sears, who quickly bolted and dumped a pass to Tyler Vaughns. That brought out a roar from QBs coach Bryan Ellis. Couldn't tell whether Ellis was pleased with Sears for making a play or upset that he held the ball too long.
Near the end of practice, Josh Falo caught a pass in the flats and turned upfield for a big gain. Would like to see him play a bit faster. I think he has it in him.
***
USC will next practice Thursday.
We've posted video interviews with Matt Fink and Tim Drevno and They Said It featuring Bryan Ellis, Neil Callaway, Jack Sears and Austin Jackson.
