On Wednesday, the Trojans strapped on full pads for the first time during Fall Camp and turned up the intensity...
- According to head coach Steve Sarkisian, sometimes the addition of pads brings too much intensity. That wasn't a problem for the Trojans who impressed the head coach with their focus and control. "I always like the first day of pads. Day five, they're always fired up," said Sarkisian. "I thought it was a really good, physical practice. I thought the guys were intense and competitive, but I thought their composure was really good."
- The added protection allowed the Trojans to run a team favorite, the "Pride Drill", a 1-on-1 face-off between an offensive and defensive player five yards from the goal line. "You have pride in a 1-on-1," senior CB Kevon Seymour said as he explained the origin of the drill's name. "The receiver has five yards to score, and you, whether it's a DB or a linebacker, have to make the play. It's intense and competitive. Other than our route-running 1-on-1s, it's probably the best drill."
- "The pride drill brings the man out of you," added an animated JuJu Smith-Schuster. "It shows who's a man and who's not."
- The sophomore WR has been animated on the sidelines throughout Fall Camp as well, using his resting reps to encourage his teammates. "With Nelson not here to be a leader, it changes my mind and my approach," Smith-Schuster explained. "I'm more vocal, I'm talking to the guys...and I think that's the big difference. Last year, I was more of a follower and watched. This year, I'm more of a teacher."
- Wednesday brought a lighter load for RB Tre Madden after
several outstanding, but exhausting practices earlier in the week. This opened the door for the trio of talented freshmen running backs to step up and get work in with the 1s. Sarkisian praised Aca'Cedric Ware's (pictured) performance, noting a marked improvement after five days of camp. Ronald Jones II also had a strong day, breaking away for an electrifying run in the later portion of practice.
- Running backs coach Johnny Nansen was also happy to see the trio get more touches, as he sees an array of versatile weapons in this new RB class. "Ronald and Ced are more of the power style," Nansen explained. "Ronald is a break away guy. Cedric is more like a Buck Allen, a guy that can do it all. He's got good pass protection, he's reliable, and he's a very, very smart kid. And then Dominic, he's special, you can use him out of the backfield, motioning and trying to create mismatches, but he's also a tough runner."
- Nansen has high expectations for his returning running backs, Tre Madden and Justin Davis, as well heading into 2015. "We're pushing them. There's a reason that they came here, an expectation. USC is obviously 'Running Back U' and we want to build that tradition, we've got to continue to raise the standards. They both had an unbelievable summer and start to camp."
- Across the line, redshirt senior DT Antwaun Woods cited freshman DT Jacob Daniel as a newcomer who is improving right away. "He's been getting better every day. He has the attitude that he wants to get better all the time which is a great thing. It's good to see him progress. We're a team defense so I do whatever I can to help him and the other guys get better."
- Woods, a veteran leader on the defensive front, has high expectations for his entire unit this year. "The standard around here, the standard for the USC defensive line is to always be tough. We just keep telling them that and eventually it will become their personality. I'm not going to be here forever but we have to keep that standard for our line going."
- Thursday is the first rest day for the Trojans, and the team will take advantage of the day off with a trip to the movies where they'll see the soon-to-be-released "Straight Outta Compton".
- Here is Sarkisian who briefly shares an update on Bryce Dixon's status before getting into a practice recap. We apologize for the technical difficulties as the video cuts out for several seconds near the 1:30 minute mark...
