2017 Fall Camp #4: Notes

The Trojans were in shoulder pads again as the competition ramps up, especially on the outside.

The latest injury news from head coach Clay Helton: RT Chuma Edoga (hamstring), WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (groin), WR Joseph Lewis IV (groin), WR Keyshawn Young (hamstring) and TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip flexor).

Junior WR Deontay Burnett bounced back from a scary moment mid-practice, when he landed on the football and knocked the wind out of himself, to dominate the red zone period. Helton noted that the "chemistry" between Burnett and Sam Darnold was particularly evident today, and he wants every receiver to have that kind of understanding with the quarterback.

Burnett is leading by example, but he sees the rest of the receivers following closely behind. "The young guys are very explosive and they're very eager to make a play," Burnett said. "One thing about them is they love to work hard. Hard work is always a good thing, and getting in their playbooks and coming out on the practice field dominating, because it all starts at practice."

Sophomore Michael Pittman Jr. is the prototypical wide receiver at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, so he marvels at what the 6-foot, 170-pound Burnett can do. "He's the perfect example of David and Goliath. Right now, he's David, but he's playing like he's Goliath," Pittman said about Burnett.

Pittman (pictured below) has made tremendous deep catches in traffic the last two days. Yesterday, he hauled one in over the shoulder and tapped a foot inbounds for six. Today, he warded off a double team by sliding low to snag a touchdown in the back of the end zone. "Your eyes never leave the ball," he said is the key to making tough catches. "I have such long arms that I don't have to be in perfect position. As long as I can see the ball, I can catch the ball."

Both Burnett and Pittman described the wide receiver room as "democratic" in terms of leadership. No one voice is louder than others, instead it is a "team full of leaders," Pittman said.

While Ronald Jones II, Aca'Cedric Ware and Dominic Davis are veteran runners atop the depth chart, the young tailbacks are opening up eyes. RS freshman Vavae Malepeai is a "chain mover" who Helton praised for his "disciplined" running. True freshman Stephen Carr is maybe a little less disciplined (the head coach wants to see better ball security), but he appears to be a "homerun hitter" so far. Both players are "valuable receivers also," said Helton.

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