- The Trojans were in shoulder pads and shorts today. They will be in full pads on Thursday and then head to the Coliseum on Saturday. Head coach Clay Helton is looking forward to seeing the quarterback competition play out on Saturday with "live bullets" flying.
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Pete Jenkins, who served as USC's defensive line coach during Ed Orgeron's stint as interim head coach, was out on the practice field to observe the defensive line. He cannot coach the players, but he can advise new DL coach Kenechi Udeze on technique and drill work.
- The new offensive line coach Neil Callaway has made noticeable changes to the practice habits of his unit, working the group relentlessly to build toughness. "Everyone has their way of doing things, we have our way of doing things," said the no-nonsense Callaway. "We need to play as hard as we can, as physical as we can, as smart as we can. If we get those three things accomplished, we can be a very good unit."
- The offensive line has nine players returning with starting experience led by redshirt senior Zach Banner. "I want him to be a guy that doesn't think that he's arrived," said Helton about the All-Pac-12 offensive tackle who is working on both ends of the line. "He's got a chance to be one of the premier tackles in the country, but to do that, he can't waste a second."
- Banner on Callaway: "He's a great coach. I think you always love a dude who gets you better. If you get bothered by how he yells then you don't deserve to play this sport. My father was the same way, it doesn't phase me."
- If the line comes together as a dominant unit, USC's plethora of skill position players will be the beneficiaries. The wide receiver group is double-digits deep with pass catching talent. "Let them all play," said offensive coordinator and WR coach Tee Martin. "The best thing that's happened here over the years is that we've been playing them young whether it was Marqise Lee or Nelson Agholor or JuJu Smith-Schuster and now you have this younger crowd coming behind them. It's the only way to get better. When they're ready to play, that's when they play. It creates this healthy competition in the room because they know if I'm not getting the job done, the guy behind me can. It makes us a better offense for it."
- Darreus Rogers returns as the veteran leader of the receiving corps. "Everything's slowed down, I'm capable of playing my game, having fun, teaching the young dudes," he said about going into his senior season. "I'm like two steps ahead of the game right now."
- Rogers sees more 50/50 opportunities in the passing game with Martin calling plays and Helton running the team, which is a strength of his game. "Towards the end of the season, I really saw him make some big plays in the passing game and plays downfield going vertical," said Martin about Rogers winning jump balls. "He really improved that part of his game."
- Ajene Harris (pictured), who sat out last season with an injury, is one of the under the radar weapons in this offense. The slot receiver made the practice-winning touchdown catch which sent the defense off running. "I knew the ball was coming to me," said Harris, who is fully recovered from hip surgery. "My defender was playing me inside and I had a corner route. I just knew I had to make a play for the team. It was a great throw, shout out to Max."
- As for the tailbacks, RB coach Tommie Robinson is still getting a feel for his stable. "Just like last time, I really didn't want anyone to tell me a lot about the guys when I first got here. I wanted to evaluate them myself. We know what happened last time, we were told what Buck Allen couldn't do and we found out real fast what he could do. I'm still going through the evaluation stage with these guys."
- Practices are a lot quieter as Helton has turned off the music. "We've turned the music off because we're here to work," said Banner.
- Two quick injury notes, DL Noah Jefferson is out with a back issue, while WR Michael Pittman Jr. is limited by a sore collarbone. Here is Helton's complete press conference:
