- Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast called DL Kenny Bigelow a "big time" loss, but the Trojans will press on without their most experienced defensive lineman, who had successful ACL surgery at USC Keck Medical Center.
- The defensive line responded with its "best day at pass rush," said head coach Clay Helton. "I really thought the defensive line took a huge step forward." As a whole, the defense won the competitive portion of practice again.
- Without Bigelow, rising sophomore DL Rasheem Green becomes an indispensable player with the experience that he gained last year. "In a way, I kind of do feel like I need to step up and be the rock for the D-Line since Kenny can't play with us now," said Green. "I just have to step up."
- However, Green has much more to develop in his game, and he's working tirelessly with new DL coach Kenechi Udeze to improve. "He has made me pay more attention to the small things in my game, the things that can help me improve as a player in the long run," said Green about Udeze. "I feel like that is what all the coaches are focused on, trying to help us with small things like alignment and hand placement that can really help us be better football players and play team defense."
- The linebackers received a boost today as Osa Masina, Uchenna Nwosu and John Houston all returned to practice. Pendergast said that Masina has the talent to play inside or outside. "Besides the whole scheme change, we're hyped, we're juiced," said Masina about the new defense. "We're ready to do something big this year. I think we're going to get a lot more pressure this year. I think we're going to rush the quarterback, get a lot more interceptions, a lot more sacks, rushed throws."
- Pendergast's defense is all about communication, so even the quietest players are learning to speak up. "The two safeties, Leon [McQuay] and Marvell [Tell], are starting to communicate," said Helton. "At one point in time, I thought they were both mutes, but now they are starting to talk to one another."
- Tell on the new coaches: "It's been fun. They expect a lot out of us. We just have to meet their standards."
- Talking is a noticeable change at practice without the music blaring. Helton made the point that the quieter atmosphere allows the players on and off the field to hear their coaches make teaching points, so everyone is getting the mental rep.
- Offensively, Steven Mitchell Jr. and Ronald Jones II were "under the weather" and missed practice.
- As for the quarterback competition, "there is a gap" between Max Browne and Sam Darnold, but the redshirt freshman is doing his best to close it, said Helton. "I have seen 14, Sam Darnold, make two really good practices. The light's kind of coming on for him now. You are seeing his talent take over."
- For those attending practice and/or Swim With Mike on Saturday, there will be a "little bit" of a scrimmage, but the team is too banged up to tackle for 100 plays. Practice starts at 10 a.m. on Howard Jones Field.
- Here is Helton:
University Southern California Trojans
2016 Spring Practice #8: Notes
March 01, 2016 | USC Ripsit Blog
2016 Spring Practice #8: Notes
The Trojans are a little banged up, but they keep pushing through the meat of spring football.
Tuesday, June 23
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
