University Southern California Trojans
2019 Fall Camp #10: Notes
August 14, 2019 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
Click the play button above to watch Clancy Pendergast's press conference.
The Trojans are ramping up to the big Fall Showcase on Saturday at the renovated Coliseum.
- While the back seven is carrying a lot of youth, the Trojans have the luxury of experience up front with third-year players Jay Tufele, Marlon Tuipulotu and Brandon Pili to go along with senior leader Christian Rector. "I just want to get better with my teammates," Tufele said. "We're just trying to help each other get better and become the defense from the old days. We're trying to get back to that."
- To be the best line they can be, the vets know that freshman Drake Jackson needs to be a major contributor, so they are bringing him up to speed quickly. "We've just been trying to work on getting the younger guys up with us," Tuipulotu said. "Like Rector always says, 'We're as weak as our weakest link.'"
- From a talent perspective, Jackson is no weak link. He has transformed his body since arriving on campus for the spring semester. "Those workouts are extreme," Jackson said about his first offseason with Aaron Ausmus. "I've never been through anything like it. I can honestly say it made me better and I know it's going to keep me better in the long run."
- With Ausmus covering the physical side, Jackson is leaning on Rector to help him mentally understand the game better. "If he sees anything I did wrong, he'll coach me up on it," Jackson said of Rector. "I'm just going to keep getting all the knowledge I can, soak everything up, before he leaves."
- Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast noticed back in spring that Rector "has really become a leader of this defense, so he's taken Drake under his wing. He's done a really good job mentoring Drake."
- Jackson has drawn comparisons to Leonard Williams, another defensive lineman who started from day one at USC. He made it clear that when it comes to playing time, he is a "team-first always" guy, but he is much more comfortable on the field now than early in the spring. "I was kind of nervous at first, but now it's normal to me."
- While comparisons to first round draft picks may be premature, Jackson's teammates are not shy to praise him. "That boy's gonna be nice," Tuipulotu said. "He's special … He's athletic, he's big, strong. He can do it all."
- With the second scrimmage looming this Saturday, Pendergast is emphasizing "tackling in space," so that's something the fans in attendance can keep an eye on. "Tackling is something you can't fix during the season," Pendergast said. "You have to do it now, so it's second nature to the players."
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ FootballTuesday, June 23
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
