USC held a closed practice for two hours this afternoon at the Coliseum. There was some scrimmaging but it was really no different than the usual team periods with full pads on.
I spent the early portion on the sideline filming.
A few things stood out to me:
Cody Kessler is throwing with a bit more velocity and bit less lift on his passes.
Max Browne really puts a lot under his throws. By 2016, USC would ideally have some taller receivers for him to utilize. He loves throwing it up there and giving the wideouts a chance to make a play.
Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick is really struggling. Hard to describe exactly what's wrong but something is clearly off. Body language isn't good. He just seems disappointed -- maybe in himself or with not working with the ones. Maybe it's both.
***
USC did a three-on-three drill in which a down lineman, a linebacker and defensive back faced off with an offensive lineman, running back and the quarterback.
Cody Temple shed a block from Max Tuerk and made a nice tackle.
Malik Dorton made a pair of great plays in the backfield.
Don Hill also had a great tackle.
***
Su'a Cravens was held out of the early 11-on-11s. (He said later it was to get some of the younger guys more reps. USC did a lot of mixing and matching today.)
The offense started on a high note as JuJu Smith made the extra effort to and extended toward the goal line for a touchdown on the first series.
Darreus Rogers beat Adoree' Jackson for a long completion. Darreus probably should have positioned himself to stay in bounds and score on the play but made a great play nonetheless.
Kessler strangely threw a ball right to Cameron Smith in 7-on-7s. There wasn't a receiver particularly close. It was an off day for Kessler, who would throw four interceptions.
Walk-on TB Stefan Smith showed great speed and ran for a big gain. James Toland got a lot of work today too.
***
Isaac Whitney had a good day. He came down with a jump ball in the corner of the end zone during 7-on-7s. He later went high for another reception.
Robby Kolanz also made a really good catch on a 50-50 ball from Browne for a touchdown.
Cravens cut in front of Mitchell to pick off Kessler.
Kevon Seymour had a really good PBU. I'm drinking the Seymour Kool-Aid this spring.
The play of the day was Kessler alertly hitting Steven Mitchell on a quick slant. Mitchell did the rest, cutting past Leon McQuay for an 80-yard TD.
A moment later, JuJu stiff-armed catching a short pass to the sideline and ran upfield for about a 55-yard TD. JuJu always plays through.
***
Other notes from team periods:
Kessler opened one round of 11s with a touchdown pass to Mitchell. He might have been sacked by Cravens first, though.
Seymour beat JuJu for a jump ball in the end zone and picked off Kessler. JuJu, remember, is still a bit raw as a receiver. He'll learn to fight for those balls.
Chris Hawkins continued to get the majority of his reps with the first team at safety. (Had a good chat with him and will be posting more on him later.)
Jordan Austin got some run as the second-team LT and looked good.
Toa Lobendahn was the second-team center. That guy hardly comes off the field.
Lamar Dawson was given a lighter load today but impressed when he was in there. He was all over a run to the left and recorded a TFL. I really like how he moves from A-B, a good downhill runner.
Soma Vainuku bowled through the second level of the defense for a long run.
The quarterbacks worked more on getting out of the pocket and throwing today. Browne hit Darreus for a nice pick-up while being chased to his right.
***
Final observations:
Olajuwon Tucker had a sack.
Lamont Simmons also picked off Kessler.
Adoree', playing defense only, had a somewhat quiet day but did manage to sniff out a run for a TFL. Sark said near the end of last season he was one of the team's best tacklers and that isn't hyperbole.
Browne got to particpate in the final best-of-five but was reduced to handing the ball off. The defense stopped Justin Davis on the final play to win the challenge.
Quinton Powell and Khaliel Rodgers were not present. Sark said they did not practice for "personal reasons."
Ajene Harris was also held out. Sark said he aggravated his hamstring Thursday.
Rasheem Green, Biggie Marshall and Marvell Tell were in attendance.
USC does not practice again until Tuesday, March 24.
I was hoping to speak with walk-on TE Connor Spears but had to make sure I got Sark. I'll talk to Spears after the break. I did find out he is 6-6, 250 pounds. Hard to read the tight end position this early but the staff clearly favors Spears over JCF for the time being.
Sark called him a "good fit" for the system and likes his length and catching ability. Intimated that he's physical enough and fast enough to use. ... In other words, they really miss Bryce Dixon.
This post was edited on 3/14 4:09 PM by Adam Maya
I spent the early portion on the sideline filming.
A few things stood out to me:
Cody Kessler is throwing with a bit more velocity and bit less lift on his passes.
Max Browne really puts a lot under his throws. By 2016, USC would ideally have some taller receivers for him to utilize. He loves throwing it up there and giving the wideouts a chance to make a play.
Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick is really struggling. Hard to describe exactly what's wrong but something is clearly off. Body language isn't good. He just seems disappointed -- maybe in himself or with not working with the ones. Maybe it's both.
***
USC did a three-on-three drill in which a down lineman, a linebacker and defensive back faced off with an offensive lineman, running back and the quarterback.
Cody Temple shed a block from Max Tuerk and made a nice tackle.
Malik Dorton made a pair of great plays in the backfield.
Don Hill also had a great tackle.
***
Su'a Cravens was held out of the early 11-on-11s. (He said later it was to get some of the younger guys more reps. USC did a lot of mixing and matching today.)
The offense started on a high note as JuJu Smith made the extra effort to and extended toward the goal line for a touchdown on the first series.
Darreus Rogers beat Adoree' Jackson for a long completion. Darreus probably should have positioned himself to stay in bounds and score on the play but made a great play nonetheless.
Kessler strangely threw a ball right to Cameron Smith in 7-on-7s. There wasn't a receiver particularly close. It was an off day for Kessler, who would throw four interceptions.
Walk-on TB Stefan Smith showed great speed and ran for a big gain. James Toland got a lot of work today too.
***
Isaac Whitney had a good day. He came down with a jump ball in the corner of the end zone during 7-on-7s. He later went high for another reception.
Robby Kolanz also made a really good catch on a 50-50 ball from Browne for a touchdown.
Cravens cut in front of Mitchell to pick off Kessler.
Kevon Seymour had a really good PBU. I'm drinking the Seymour Kool-Aid this spring.
The play of the day was Kessler alertly hitting Steven Mitchell on a quick slant. Mitchell did the rest, cutting past Leon McQuay for an 80-yard TD.
A moment later, JuJu stiff-armed catching a short pass to the sideline and ran upfield for about a 55-yard TD. JuJu always plays through.
***
Other notes from team periods:
Kessler opened one round of 11s with a touchdown pass to Mitchell. He might have been sacked by Cravens first, though.
Seymour beat JuJu for a jump ball in the end zone and picked off Kessler. JuJu, remember, is still a bit raw as a receiver. He'll learn to fight for those balls.
Chris Hawkins continued to get the majority of his reps with the first team at safety. (Had a good chat with him and will be posting more on him later.)
Jordan Austin got some run as the second-team LT and looked good.
Toa Lobendahn was the second-team center. That guy hardly comes off the field.
Lamar Dawson was given a lighter load today but impressed when he was in there. He was all over a run to the left and recorded a TFL. I really like how he moves from A-B, a good downhill runner.
Soma Vainuku bowled through the second level of the defense for a long run.
The quarterbacks worked more on getting out of the pocket and throwing today. Browne hit Darreus for a nice pick-up while being chased to his right.
***
Final observations:
Olajuwon Tucker had a sack.
Lamont Simmons also picked off Kessler.
Adoree', playing defense only, had a somewhat quiet day but did manage to sniff out a run for a TFL. Sark said near the end of last season he was one of the team's best tacklers and that isn't hyperbole.
Browne got to particpate in the final best-of-five but was reduced to handing the ball off. The defense stopped Justin Davis on the final play to win the challenge.
Quinton Powell and Khaliel Rodgers were not present. Sark said they did not practice for "personal reasons."
Ajene Harris was also held out. Sark said he aggravated his hamstring Thursday.
Rasheem Green, Biggie Marshall and Marvell Tell were in attendance.
USC does not practice again until Tuesday, March 24.
I was hoping to speak with walk-on TE Connor Spears but had to make sure I got Sark. I'll talk to Spears after the break. I did find out he is 6-6, 250 pounds. Hard to read the tight end position this early but the staff clearly favors Spears over JCF for the time being.
Sark called him a "good fit" for the system and likes his length and catching ability. Intimated that he's physical enough and fast enough to use. ... In other words, they really miss Bryce Dixon.
This post was edited on 3/14 4:09 PM by Adam Maya
