University Southern California Trojans
The Next Level
September 07, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
From the moment he stepped on the field at USC, LB Cameron Smith has made an impact.
As a freshman, he posted 78 tackles, 3 deflections, a fumble recovery and 3 interceptions (1 for a TD) before tearing his ACL. He led USC in tackles and interceptions up until he got hurt and was on pace to be the first true freshman to top the Trojans in tackles since records were first kept in 1954. The Roseville, Calif. came back and led the team in tackles in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and was recently named a team captain for the second straight year.
But after three years of success, Smith developed a hunger like never before to push his limits and make his final year one for the record books.
A few key conversations during the offseason convinced Smith to make some big changes to his diet and exercise routine.
Smith met Luke Kuechly, the All-Pro linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, at USC's John McKay Center early this summer. Kuechly suggested that Smith shed a few pounds to get in ideal shape for football season.
"I told him I ranged around 242 [lbs]," Smith recounted. "He kind of stopped me and was like, 'You need to really crack down. If you want to be at a certain weight, you have to take everything to the next level.'"
"I'm a pretty focused person," Smith said. "I have a lot of goals I want to achieve, but when he said, 'Take it to the next level,' it really triggered something in my head where everything I do is to the next level."
Once Smith got the idea in his head, fellow senior captain Porter Gustin helped him put it into practice. Gustin, who is known for his own super-strict diet, suggested that Smith cut his portion sizes in half and eat more frequently throughout the day in order to increase his metabolism and burn fat. It was a new angle for Smith, who had resorted to barely eating at all when he had to shed weight as a high school wrestler.
For the last two months, Smith's average day has looked like this:
To stay motivated, Smith rewards himself every so often. He eats a chocolate chip cookie after the Trojans' hardest practice of the week, and enjoys a cheat meal after games on Saturdays (Blaze Pizza and dark chocolate almonds with sea salt do the trick).
But outside of those luxuries, Smith is strict as can be. And it's paid off.
Between July 23 and Sept. 5, Smith dropped 14 lbs. and went from 14.8 percent body fat to 10.2. He currently weighs in at 233 lbs., the lightest he's been since his sophomore year in high school.
Smith felt the benefits during USC's Week 1 win over UNLV.
"Before, it was a little bit harder on my joints to turn and change directions," he said. "Now it just feels more explosive, and I felt it a lot in my conditioning. We had a long drive later in the first half and John [Houston] and I looked at each other, and we were tired, but I felt like I wasn't done yet. I didn't feel topped out."
Smith's next endeavor is to maintain this lifestyle throughout the season. In the past, he'd shed weight come Game 1 but be back where he started by the end of the year, and with his eyes set on the NFL and a 16-game season, he wants to get his body ready for what the next level has in store.
"It's been the best two months of my life in terms of staying on course and doing the right thing at all times," he said. "I'm excited to keep it going."
As a freshman, he posted 78 tackles, 3 deflections, a fumble recovery and 3 interceptions (1 for a TD) before tearing his ACL. He led USC in tackles and interceptions up until he got hurt and was on pace to be the first true freshman to top the Trojans in tackles since records were first kept in 1954. The Roseville, Calif. came back and led the team in tackles in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and was recently named a team captain for the second straight year.
But after three years of success, Smith developed a hunger like never before to push his limits and make his final year one for the record books.
A few key conversations during the offseason convinced Smith to make some big changes to his diet and exercise routine.Smith met Luke Kuechly, the All-Pro linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, at USC's John McKay Center early this summer. Kuechly suggested that Smith shed a few pounds to get in ideal shape for football season.
"I told him I ranged around 242 [lbs]," Smith recounted. "He kind of stopped me and was like, 'You need to really crack down. If you want to be at a certain weight, you have to take everything to the next level.'"
"I'm a pretty focused person," Smith said. "I have a lot of goals I want to achieve, but when he said, 'Take it to the next level,' it really triggered something in my head where everything I do is to the next level."
Once Smith got the idea in his head, fellow senior captain Porter Gustin helped him put it into practice. Gustin, who is known for his own super-strict diet, suggested that Smith cut his portion sizes in half and eat more frequently throughout the day in order to increase his metabolism and burn fat. It was a new angle for Smith, who had resorted to barely eating at all when he had to shed weight as a high school wrestler.
For the last two months, Smith's average day has looked like this:
8:00 am: Muscle Milk
8:00 am - 10:00 am: Lift weights, rehab
10:30 am: Breakfast — Bacon, chicken and spinach with two scrambled and a protein shake comprising Isopure (a zero-carb protein powder), spinach, flax seed, chia seed, blueberries, peanut butter, honey, almond milk and ice
12:30 pm: Small meal prep — Chicken or steak, green beans or broccoli, brown rice and quinoa mix
3:30 pm : Muscle Milk and UCan (powder-based sports energy drink mix)
4 pm - 6 pm: Practice
6:30 pm: Post-practice meal — Mostly vegetables, with chicken, steak or salmon and whatever carb is provided
8:30 pm: Small meal prep
Smith acknowledges that it's been difficult. He used to love dipping sauces, but has now cut them out of his diet. He's also a hard time refraining from snacking on chips or sweets. And he's turned down countless invitations from friends to go out to eat.
8:00 am - 10:00 am: Lift weights, rehab
10:30 am: Breakfast — Bacon, chicken and spinach with two scrambled and a protein shake comprising Isopure (a zero-carb protein powder), spinach, flax seed, chia seed, blueberries, peanut butter, honey, almond milk and ice
12:30 pm: Small meal prep — Chicken or steak, green beans or broccoli, brown rice and quinoa mix
3:30 pm : Muscle Milk and UCan (powder-based sports energy drink mix)
4 pm - 6 pm: Practice
6:30 pm: Post-practice meal — Mostly vegetables, with chicken, steak or salmon and whatever carb is provided
8:30 pm: Small meal prep
Smith acknowledges that it's been difficult. He used to love dipping sauces, but has now cut them out of his diet. He's also a hard time refraining from snacking on chips or sweets. And he's turned down countless invitations from friends to go out to eat.
To stay motivated, Smith rewards himself every so often. He eats a chocolate chip cookie after the Trojans' hardest practice of the week, and enjoys a cheat meal after games on Saturdays (Blaze Pizza and dark chocolate almonds with sea salt do the trick).
But outside of those luxuries, Smith is strict as can be. And it's paid off.
Between July 23 and Sept. 5, Smith dropped 14 lbs. and went from 14.8 percent body fat to 10.2. He currently weighs in at 233 lbs., the lightest he's been since his sophomore year in high school.
Smith felt the benefits during USC's Week 1 win over UNLV.
"Before, it was a little bit harder on my joints to turn and change directions," he said. "Now it just feels more explosive, and I felt it a lot in my conditioning. We had a long drive later in the first half and John [Houston] and I looked at each other, and we were tired, but I felt like I wasn't done yet. I didn't feel topped out."
Smith's next endeavor is to maintain this lifestyle throughout the season. In the past, he'd shed weight come Game 1 but be back where he started by the end of the year, and with his eyes set on the NFL and a 16-game season, he wants to get his body ready for what the next level has in store.
"It's been the best two months of my life in terms of staying on course and doing the right thing at all times," he said. "I'm excited to keep it going."
Players Mentioned
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