University Southern California Trojans
2018 Fall Camp #1: Notes
August 03, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans kicked off Fall Camp with a fast and competitive practice.
The Trojans went through a spirited two-hour session in helmets and no pads to begin the 25-practice march to the first game.
- Here is the initial injury report of the season, per head coach Clay Helton: OLB Oluwole Betiku (recovering from hip surgery), LB Solomon Tuliaupupu (recovering from foot surgery), DE Jacob Lichtenstein (knee strain), WR Randal Grimes (back), WR Jake Russell (stress fracture in leg) and DL Jay Tufele (foot laceration).
- For the first time in many years, a USC head coach praised his own team's depth. In fact, the Trojans have so many talented players competing for spots that the coaches are "two-spotting" certain drills to get everyone more reps. "We're going to play a lot of kids," said Helton. "We're going to stay fresh."
- The depth is most apparent on the defensive side of the ball. "No question," said defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast when asked if this is his deepest defense at USC. "In 2016, we probably were only comfortable playing 15 guys. Last year, you maybe tag three or so onto that. This group is still more competitive. We'll still compete and have 11 starters, but there'll be some guys throughout the course of camp who'll show they can give us some reps in different situations to keep other guys fresher."
- The veteran leaders have emphasized a culture change all summer and it showed itself in two areas on Friday night. First, the seniors are serving as extra tutors for the freshmen. "The really good defenses that I've been around, the older players are coaching the younger players, whether it's at the collegiate level or the pro level," Pendergast said. "So when you can stand around and you hear players chatting, saying the right things to the younger guys, it means you're making progress as a unit."
- And second, while USC cannot practice in full pads until Wednesday (practice No. 5) by NCAA rule, the Trojans looked like they were ready to hit somebody. "Everybody's playing very physical," said WR Tyler Vaughns. "I already know how competitive it's gonna get."
- The much-anticipated debut of freshman QB JT Daniels did not disappoint. "It's like he's already been in a camp before," Helton said. Offensive coordinator Tee Martin was impressed with the neophyte's confidence and decisiveness. Daniels did get picked off by CB Ajene Harris, but he also threw some picture perfect deep balls, including a TD connect with Michael Pittman Jr.
- Fellow QBs Matt Fink and Jack Sears were also impressive, perhaps spurred on by the freshman's presence. "[Daniels] demeanor elevates your game, tells you that you need to bring something to the table that you maybe didn't before," Vaughns said.
- Martin saw improvement in both Fink and Sears from spring ball. "I thought the timing was better. You could just tell that the reps over spring and over summer paid off."
- Expect the QB competition to drag on throughout camp as Helton predicted that it will take "20-25 practices" before he is comfortable enough to name a starter. However, he reiterated that he will make a public announcement before the first game so the team and the fans know who will lead the Trojans against UNLV.
- Daniels is not the only exciting freshman. Both Helton and Martin loved what they saw from wide receivers Amon-ra St. Brown and Devon Williams. "They didn't look like freshmen, physically or how they played," said Helton. "Those kids jumped out at me." Williams made two highlight catches, including a one-hander on a deep ball.
- St. Brown was expected to make an immediate impact in the slot, but the coaching staff does not want to limit him. "Amon-ra is very advanced for being a young guy," said Martin. "I like him everywhere. He's like one of those Robert Woods, Nelson Agholor type of guys in terms of intelligence."
- The Trojans are not particularly deep at wide receiver, so Helton mentioned the idea of double-training some of the freshmen like CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart.
- Finally, as he announced on Twitter, OL Clayton Johnston will now go by Clayton Bradley as a tribute to his step-father.
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