Offseason adjustments to the roster and lineup are a football fact of life. With USC's Fall Camp well underway, we checked in with four Trojans to see how they've risen to the challenge of learning to contribute in new capacities.
Jalen Greene, QB-turned-WR
Though he entered USC as a quarterback, earning the Trojans' Offensive Service Team Player of the Year Award in 2014, Jalen Greene (pictured below) has a better chance to see the field as a wide receiver, so he is seizing that opportunity. "It's been alright," he said of the transition. "A few things have been tough technique wise. Of course, I know the routes and the schemes and everything, but there's just little things I have to fix if I want to be a great receiver." Fortunately, Greene has been able to use his experience as a quarterback to his advantage in transitioning to wideout. "I can get lined up faster, because I know what the quarterback wants on each play," he said. "I know how fast I need to get there, and what I need to do to fool the defense." Even though that insight has helped him speed up the learning process, Greene knows there is still work to be done before the start of the season. "Coach [Tee Martin] has said I'm doing pretty well, but I'm not satisfied with myself because I know I could be playing a lot better," he said. "I know I can show them that I can do a lot more."
Though he entered USC as a quarterback, earning the Trojans' Offensive Service Team Player of the Year Award in 2014, Jalen Greene (pictured below) has a better chance to see the field as a wide receiver, so he is seizing that opportunity. "It's been alright," he said of the transition. "A few things have been tough technique wise. Of course, I know the routes and the schemes and everything, but there's just little things I have to fix if I want to be a great receiver." Fortunately, Greene has been able to use his experience as a quarterback to his advantage in transitioning to wideout. "I can get lined up faster, because I know what the quarterback wants on each play," he said. "I know how fast I need to get there, and what I need to do to fool the defense." Even though that insight has helped him speed up the learning process, Greene knows there is still work to be done before the start of the season. "Coach [Tee Martin] has said I'm doing pretty well, but I'm not satisfied with myself because I know I could be playing a lot better," he said. "I know I can show them that I can do a lot more." Jordan Simmons, OG-turned-DT
Like Greene, redshirt junior Jordan Simmons (pictured right) feels that he has "a lot more work to do" as he prepares to play in a new position of his own. While a recurring knee injury kept him from reaching his full potential as an offensive lineman in his first three years with the Trojans, the 2015 season offers Simmons another chance to demonstrate his talent, this time as a defensive tackle. He says the adjustment is going "really well" thanks to assistance from "the veteran guys, like Antwuan [Woods], and Delvon [Simmons], and Claude [Pelon]." Simmons began his high school career as a defensive linemen before switching over to the offensive line in his senior year. "I haven't played [defense] in a really long time, so I've had to learn all over again," he said, noting that because things are "more strategic" at the collegiate level he's found it hard to incorporate his past experience. "It's going well, but it's just learning a lot at a quick pace. I'm basically a freshman starting all over."
Like Greene, redshirt junior Jordan Simmons (pictured right) feels that he has "a lot more work to do" as he prepares to play in a new position of his own. While a recurring knee injury kept him from reaching his full potential as an offensive lineman in his first three years with the Trojans, the 2015 season offers Simmons another chance to demonstrate his talent, this time as a defensive tackle. He says the adjustment is going "really well" thanks to assistance from "the veteran guys, like Antwuan [Woods], and Delvon [Simmons], and Claude [Pelon]." Simmons began his high school career as a defensive linemen before switching over to the offensive line in his senior year. "I haven't played [defense] in a really long time, so I've had to learn all over again," he said, noting that because things are "more strategic" at the collegiate level he's found it hard to incorporate his past experience. "It's going well, but it's just learning a lot at a quick pace. I'm basically a freshman starting all over."
Cyrus Hobbi, OL-turned-TE
On the other side of the ball, tight ends coach Marques Tuiasosopo ('Tui') is echoing similar sentiments about redshirt senior Cyrus Hobbi. "He's been away for a year, so he's kind of re-going through being a freshman in terms of getting back in the flow of things," Coach Tui said of one of his newest tight ends. Hobbi appeared in several games for the Trojans in 2012 and 2013 at center and offensive guard before retiring from football due to a lingering back injury. Despite the extended absence, Hobbi has so far proved he knows how to stage a comeback. "He's been working out and getting ready for this," said Coach Tui. "He stepped right in from a physical standpoint and has been able to do everything that I've asked him to do." Returning to the team as a tight end, Hobbi will offer a unique skill set to a position group in need of depth. "He's got the background of an offensive linemen, so he's done well on the run blocking," Coach Tui remarked, though he also admitted, "There's gonna be little rust that we've got to get off" in regards to ball handling. In any case, the tight ends coach offered an optimistic outlook for Hobbi, "He's picked up everything that he needs to, he'll be fine for us."
On the other side of the ball, tight ends coach Marques Tuiasosopo ('Tui') is echoing similar sentiments about redshirt senior Cyrus Hobbi. "He's been away for a year, so he's kind of re-going through being a freshman in terms of getting back in the flow of things," Coach Tui said of one of his newest tight ends. Hobbi appeared in several games for the Trojans in 2012 and 2013 at center and offensive guard before retiring from football due to a lingering back injury. Despite the extended absence, Hobbi has so far proved he knows how to stage a comeback. "He's been working out and getting ready for this," said Coach Tui. "He stepped right in from a physical standpoint and has been able to do everything that I've asked him to do." Returning to the team as a tight end, Hobbi will offer a unique skill set to a position group in need of depth. "He's got the background of an offensive linemen, so he's done well on the run blocking," Coach Tui remarked, though he also admitted, "There's gonna be little rust that we've got to get off" in regards to ball handling. In any case, the tight ends coach offered an optimistic outlook for Hobbi, "He's picked up everything that he needs to, he'll be fine for us."
Chris Hawkins, CB-turned-S
Hawkins' 2015 debut as a free safety is a long time coming. He's been taking reps at the position since the team's Holiday Bowl preparations last season, but chalked that experience up to timing. "It was just something fun because it was an off week," he recalled. Coaches and teammates took note of the redshirt sophomore's ability, including defensive back turned linebacker Su'a Cravens, who called him "a natural safety." While Hawkins played the position in high school before assuming the role of cornerback, he never anticipated doing so in college. "When I picture USC's [safeties] I think of Taylor Mays - 6-foot-4, 230 lbs. - can run a 4.2," said Hawkins. "It wasn't my ideal, but you never know what'll happen. There's a lot of safeties that are kind of smaller in the [National Football] League right now that are excelling as well." At 5-foot-11, Hawkins has taken to the weight room to ensure an edge over opposing offenses. "I'm anywhere in the range of 190 to 193 lbs. right now," he said after a Fall Camp practice this week. "My body's taking less of a beating having more muscle on it. It feels good." With his improved physique, Hawkins said his focus for the rest of training camp is on improving his tackling. Fortunately, his talented teammates offer the competition needed to take him to the next level defensively. "Going against guys like JuJu [Smith-Schuster] everyday, you gotta be up on your P's and Q's," he said. The future looks bright for the former corner, who feels "very comfortable and confident" in his new place in the secondary.
Hawkins' 2015 debut as a free safety is a long time coming. He's been taking reps at the position since the team's Holiday Bowl preparations last season, but chalked that experience up to timing. "It was just something fun because it was an off week," he recalled. Coaches and teammates took note of the redshirt sophomore's ability, including defensive back turned linebacker Su'a Cravens, who called him "a natural safety." While Hawkins played the position in high school before assuming the role of cornerback, he never anticipated doing so in college. "When I picture USC's [safeties] I think of Taylor Mays - 6-foot-4, 230 lbs. - can run a 4.2," said Hawkins. "It wasn't my ideal, but you never know what'll happen. There's a lot of safeties that are kind of smaller in the [National Football] League right now that are excelling as well." At 5-foot-11, Hawkins has taken to the weight room to ensure an edge over opposing offenses. "I'm anywhere in the range of 190 to 193 lbs. right now," he said after a Fall Camp practice this week. "My body's taking less of a beating having more muscle on it. It feels good." With his improved physique, Hawkins said his focus for the rest of training camp is on improving his tackling. Fortunately, his talented teammates offer the competition needed to take him to the next level defensively. "Going against guys like JuJu [Smith-Schuster] everyday, you gotta be up on your P's and Q's," he said. The future looks bright for the former corner, who feels "very comfortable and confident" in his new place in the secondary.
