University Southern California Trojans
2018 Fall Camp #11: Notes
August 15, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans practiced in shells on Wednesday with just two and a half weeks to go until their first game.
- Full injury report, per USC head coach Clay Helton: OT Austin Jackson (ankle) returned to practice in a limited role. OG Andrew Vorhees sat out (knee). OT Clayton Bradley (back) sat out.
- Helton also provided updates on the status of TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe and LB Oluwole Betiku Jr. Imatorbhebhe is medically cleared to play to participate in certain drills but Helton noted, "We committed to shutting him down for an extended period of time, and now it's building it back up ... Trying to get him back into great football shape and not rushing the process."
- Betiku will likely be out a a few more months while he recovers from double hip surgery. "I'm hoping that somewhere midseason, he's feeling good, but we'll take it day-to-day," Helton said. "We went into that surgery for the long haul with him."
- Helton noted that Betiku could be a candidate to redshirt, since student-athletes can now play in up to four games while still receiving a redshirt.
- Helton explained that this week, he and the coaching staff have taken a hands-off approach to assess "the reality of who's doing things right and who's not quite there yet" on the team.
- The running backs are one unit who seem to be doing things right this camp. "I love the attitude that they've brought," Helton said. "You've got some really aggressive, tough runners with Vavae [Malepeai] and Aca'Cedric [Ware] and then you've got this home-run hitter in the run game and the pass game with Stephen [Carr]. It is a great collaboration to have."
- Ware (pictured) is up to 215 lbs. and "in the best shape of his life," according to Helton. "He's able to fight off those safeties that are trying to go for his legs. He's making them pay right now."
- USC RB coach Tim Drevno has been impressed with Carr's recovery from back surgery in the spring. "He's a competitor," Drevno said. "He likes football. When a guy likes football and wants to be good at something, it's mind over matter."
- Drevno identified pass protection as the No. 1 area the backs could improve in this camp.
- TE Tyler Petite has done his fair share of pass protecting for USC's competing quarterbacks, and has been impressed with all three. "You can see in Matt Fink and Jack Sears just the amount of progress they've made since they got here," he said. "JT looks great. He's a guy that doesn't look like a freshman."
- Daniels connected with WR Tyler Vaughns on a 35-yard strike downfield today. "That was a real pearl," the wideout gushed.
Players Mentioned
OLB
/ Football
OT
/ Football
QB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OT
/ Football
TE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OG-OT
/ FootballTuesday, June 23
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
