University Southern California Trojans
2018 Spring Practice #4: Notes
March 20, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
All spring practices are free and open to the public at Howard Jones and Brian Kennedy Fields on campus.
On the eve of USC Pro Day, the Trojans were visited by current and future NFL players Nelson Agholor, Rasheem Green and Chris Hawkins.
- The Trojans returned healthier from spring break. Head coach Clay Helton reported no new injuries and was pleased to see RB Vavae Malepeai and WR Josh Imatorbhebhe at full speed.
- All eyes will be on Sam Darnold tomorrow as all 32 NFL teams have sent scouts to see the potential No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Despite coaching the prized prospect, Helton said "not as many [teams] as you'd think" have contacted him looking for information on Darnold. Helton makes his entire staff available to the NFL scouts on Pro Day to answer any questions.
- Helton encourages the current Trojans to attend Pro Day as long as they don't miss class for it. He sees it as an opportunity for them to envision their future and support their teammates. "I'll be there even in the rain," said WR Tyler Vaughns. "Just to see my guys ball out, everybody - Steven, Sam, Chenna, whoever participates."
- Vaughns and Michael Pittman Jr. have established themselves as the future of the receiver position at USC, but like everybody else, they are waiting to see who will be throwing them the ball this season. "We prepare the same way," Vaughns said. "Each QB does his job and our job is to catch the ball and make a play. Doesn't matter what quarterback plays at this point in time. Whoever steps up, that's who we have to go and rock with."
- Matt Fink took spring break to digest the first week of practice and learn from his mistakes. "A lot of things I need to get better at. One of them is just feeling a little bit more comfortable in the pocket. That's a challenge for every QB, I feel like," he said.
- Helton has seen both Fink and Jack Sears be accurate in passing drills, but he is looking forward to evaluating them in a team setting this week when the full pads go on. The head coach wants to "put them in those situations, so I can see exactly where they are," he said. "I can give you a lot better read at the end of this week."
- In case there was any confusion, Helton stated clearly that offensive coordinator Tee Martin "will call the plays" this season. Martin will get feedback from other members of the offensive staff between series, but he will be the sole play caller.
- The Trojans are expected to lean on their running game as they develop the quarterback position. Aca'Cedric Ware has carried the load this spring with Stephen Carr sidelined and Ronald Jones II headed to the NFL. "I've always thought of him like Justin Davis," Helton praised Ware. "He's just a blue collar, talented worker."
- Ware is joined in the backfield by Malepeai who popped in limited action last year. "Some of our goals are just to bring energy to the team and really take the position of putting the team on our back, kind of thing," Malepeai said. "Putting the offense on our back, in a way. Just doing what we do best and contributing to the team as best we can."
- The offensive line knows that they have to set a powerful tone. "It's pretty much all on us," senior Toa Lobendahn said. "Definitely just all the work we put in and focusing and paying attention to the details and just getting after it, being physical."
- The Trojans are back on the practice field on Thursday at 3:15 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Sunday, September 20
Sunday, September 20
Sunday, September 20
Saturday, September 19
