2018 Spring Practice #13: Notes

The Trojans focused mostly on individual drills during a warm Tuesday practice at Howard Jones Field.

USC head coach Clay Helton said that RB Stephen Carr is ahead of schedule in his recovery from back surgery. Other injury news: DL Malik Dorton was pulled from practice with back spasms. OT Austin Jackson sat out with a foot injury. Both are expected back for Thursday's practice.

Today's practice was the last of spring camp without pads. The Trojans will be in full pads on Thursday and Saturday.

Helton said that this spring, the defensive backs have impressed him more than any other position group. "Probably as communicative in our team setting as any position right now," Helton said of the unit. "When you talk about the Pac-12, it's a throwing league, and that group's gotta be strong for us to be a good football team."

In addition to their communication skills, Helton likes the support the DBs have shown each other all camp. "You see them cheering for each other, even though they're in a competitive atmosphere," Helton said.

Spring enrollee Chase Williams expressed a similar sentiment. "The energy here is just super high," the Corona, Calif. native said. "If somebody makes a play, the whole DB corps goes out. The support system is super high. Every play, there's someone behind your back supporting you."

Williams singled out a few teammates in particular that have supported him in the few months he's been here. He said he lifts with fellow spring enrollee DB Talanoa Hufanga, but looks to older players like Ajene Harris and Iman Marshall for help with the playbook. He also explained that LB Porter Gustin treats most of the newcomers as younger brothers.

Hufanga (pictured below) is glad to be part of the group of early enrollees this spring. "Getting out here early definitely benefited me," he said. "The biggest thing that I wanted to do was and learn and be a step ahead. So far, it's been a great time."

Center Justin Dedich has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of enrolling early at USC, since presumed starting center Toa Lobendahn has been rehabbing an injury. "I didn't know I was going to get first team reps that last week, but I loved every moment of it and it was cool to get that experience as an incoming freshman," he said.

Helton raved about the six newcomers this spring. "The young people are very mature — that's the word that comes to mind — both physically and the way they present themselves," he said. "And also, the humility to learn from an older brother, learn from an older guy and be very respectful to that process has been neat to see."

Helton has also effusively praised WR Velus Jones Jr. this camp. After making just six catches in his redshirt freshman year, Jones feels ready to take on a bigger role in 2018. "A lot of our veterans left this past season, so it's time for somebody to step up on the plate," Jones said. "It's not a one-man show, it's a team thing. You need all of your receivers, no matter if someone goes down. You need the next person up. It's about being ready. It's about to be my third year. I've been here long enough and I'm ready to step up to the plate."

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