2019 Fall Camp #3: Notes

The Trojans donned shoulder pads for the first time this Fall Camp, and a physical practice ensued.

Senior LB Jordan Iosefa suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss the remainder of practice. Redshirt junior RB Vavae Malepeai missed practice with a tweaked knee.

Malepeai's absence allowed USC head coach Clay Helton to get a closer look at USC's other backs, including junior Stephen Carr, whose flashes of greatness have been hampered by injuries. "I really see a healthy Stephen Carr for the first time in a while," Helton said. "You saw some explosiveness the other day, and then today he made a huge play on a draw play ... To see that burst back and that lack of hesitation and a little bit more confidence was great to see."

Helton remarked that redshirt freshman RB Markese Stepp "carried the load" at practice today and that walk-on Quincy Jountti "did a really nice job today."

The newest running back in the room is freshman Kenan Christon, who comes to USC just months after winning the CIF state title in the 100m and 200m dash. "You can see why he was one of the best track runners in the state," Helton said. "When he gets the ball out in space, he can go. He has some really natural ball skills."

Helton praised Christon and USC's other freshmen for picking up the offense with ease. "They're really being functional at a very early age, so that's really great to see," Helton said.

While USC OC Graham Harrell's scheme has been described as pass-heavy, Helton said the Trojans will "take what the defense gives you," which could mean a 200-yard rusher in a game or 60 passes in a game. "That's the beauty of what Graham does," Helton said. "It's not just a throw-first offense, it's not throw just because it's drop eight."

When Iosefa went down, freshman ILB Ralen Goforth' saw his reps increase. Helton has been impressed with Goforth's maturity since he arrived in January. "We pointed him out the other day for the amount of effort he's giving on the field," Helton said. "He's acting like an older kid, to be honest with you."

The Trojans will wear shells again tomorrow before their first full-pads practice on Wednesday.

Gallery: (8/5/2019) 2019 USC Football Fall Camp #2

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