University Southern California Trojans
2018 Fall Camp #7: Notes
August 10, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans enjoyed a light practice today, sans pads and helmets, before their scrimmage at the Coliseum tomorrow.
- USC head coach Clay Helton announced that LB Porter Gustin's surgery for a torn meniscus was successful. He also announced that freshman LB Palaie Gaoteote IV was diagnosed with a nearly identical injury, and will undergo surgery on Monday. Helton estimates Gaoteote will be back on the field in 2-4 weeks.
- Gustin watched practice from the sideline, wearing a wrap around his knee, and Helton praised the senior for immediately jumping into a coaching role while he recovers. "The knowledge he can provide right now to young people with what he's been through on the field is very valuable," Helton said. "He's that type of guy — if he can' t be on the field, he's coaching somebody to be on the field."
- With Gustin out for the time being, the front seven has shifted slightly. Christian Rector (pictured) has retaken the hybrid defensive end/linebacker spot he occupied when Gustin missed time last season, where he says he's very comfortable. "I think I can make the most plays at that position," Rector said. "In the run game, the blocks I'm getting on the outside are a lot easier to play, and it's a lot easier to make my reads."
- USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast praised Rector's production at the position last year. "The first five and a half games, he had 30 tackles, 10 of them for loss and, I think, 5 and a half sacks," Pendergast said. "A good bit of those were when he was an edge rusher. We like his matchups on tackles because of his length in pass rushing situations."
- Helton has been happy with the performance of USC's offensive line as of late, and gushed about the depth at that position. "I was really pleased, not only with the ones but with the twos," Helton said. "We truly have a two-deep right now that I think is functioning at a very high level."
- Helton aims to run about 60 plays during tomorrow's full-pad scrimmage at the Coliseum. Helton said he's looking for the quarterbacks to "simulate the flow of a longer drive, from a conditioning standpoint as well as the flow of the game."
Players Mentioned
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
Friday, September 18
