- For anyone that has been around this program the last few years, the most notable difference in tonight's practice was all the bodies. The Trojans have boosted their numbers back up to the level of all their opponents and are now two- and three-deep with talented players at every position.
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USC has depth at quarterback, but it is a two horse race at the top between Max Browne (pictured) and Sam Darnold. Head coach Clay Helton will choose a starter on August 19.
- Darnold is the underdog, coming in with less experience than Browne, but he has shown flashes of brilliance to close the gap. To win the job, he needs to improve his mechanics and study his playbook, according to the redshirt freshman.
- Browne has sharpened his tools over time and simply needs to prove it day after day. "It's kind of been the same story, different camp, but that I can execute, that I'm going to the right place with the ball -- I think that's huge -- and protecting the ball," said Browne. "I think those are three critical elements that are crucial for any quarterback, but especially one that's in a competition that's neck-and-neck."
- Both quarterbacks are well aware that the starter's debut will come against No. 1 Alabama in AT&T Stadium. "There's a different feel because we have Bama first game," said Darnold. "That'll be a crazy first start for both me and Max. I can't wait for what's to come."
- With that said, the USC quarterbacks have to focus on the short term and the long term. "A good amount," said Browne on how much he has studied up on Alabama, "but maybe not as much as you'd think, because I've got to go out and beat Clancy Pendergast's defense first before I worry about Nick Saban."
- Both quarterbacks are boosted by their new position coach, Tyson Helton. Browne said that he commands the room, while Darnold explained that he is good at "getting us up when we're down." And, "He's also brought a lot of concepts offensively that we didn't have before that are instrumental to our offense now."
- Clay Helton has ceded the QB room to his brother, so he can spread himself across the team as a true head coach. He wants the Trojans to "focus on fundamentals and technique" to build winning habits.
- To that end, Helton was happy with the defense being mentally sound for the first practice with "not a lot of assignment busts." The offense generated some big plays, especially RB Justin Davis, but they were sloppy with the football which is typical of a first practice.
- Helton praised Ivan Lewis, the head strength and conditioning coach, multiple times for delivering a physically impressive football team after offseason workouts. In particular, Helton is amazed by the change in physique from freshman year to sophomore year. He used WR Deontay Burnett as an example of a player that added 10-12 pounds of muscle.
- RB Ronald Jones trimmed his body fat from year-to-year, but the most noticeable evolution is under his helmet. "It was time for a change," Jones said about cutting off his dreadlocks. "I feel like I've gotten stronger this offseason, and a little bit faster too without the hair. I feel lighter."
- For players like C Toa Lobendahn and LB Cam Smith, who are both returning from knee surgery, the coaches depend on the sports science team to create individual plans for each rehabbing player and monitor every snap in practice. Any temptation that a coach might have of pushing a player too hard is now in the hands of the doctors.
- With increased depth comes more competition but also more players that will need to make the most out of limited opportunities. To that end, Helton preaches "star in your role," using Cleveland Cavs big man Tristan Thompson, a rebounding machine, as an example of a player who focused on being the best at his role.
- While Alabama is still 30 days away, the Tide live in the back, and sometimes front, of Helton's mind. He confessed to watching tape "every night until about midnight" in his office of USC's opening opponent.
- Here is Helton's entire press conference:
