2018 Spring Practice #14: Notes

The USC Football team took the field at Howard Jones today for their penultimate practice of the 2018 spring session.

Helton also announced that Saturday's practice will not have a live scrimmage atmosphere, but will include full pads and contact.

The team went through the final phase of special team competition today. Helton noted the players had a lot of fun and sophomore PK Chase McGrath made a 50-yard field goal to end the drill.

Helton pointed out that the offense has been looking to the tight ends more this spring. Helton is excited to have the tight end weapons he does, including sophomore TE Josh Falo, senior TE Tyler Petite, sophomore TE Erik Krommenhoek and redshirt junior TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe.

Helton continues to be proud of his seniors saying, "It's amazing me this senior group and what they are accomplishing…they're all on pace to graduate this December. Every single one of them should have a graduate patch on, all 19 of them."

Redshirt senior CB Ajene Harris had a strong practice, including a play where he came off his man and made an interception in today's overtime situation.

Harris feels great about where he and his fellow defensive backs stand at this point in the spring, saying, "We're just confident players, we know the scheme, we know what's going on … When the ball is in the air, we're all trying to make a play on it."

The success of the defensive backs as well as the entire defense may be in part to being familiar with Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast's scheme. Senior ILB Cameron Smith said, "It's amazing how much further we are from where we were last year ... The communication and the level of knowledge is to the next level on this defense ... When you hear someone say something for three years, it starts to stick with you. It's been huge. I think that's what every college player asks for, to play for a guy for as many consecutive years as you can."

University Southern California Trojans