- Injury news per head coach Clay Helton: S Marvell Tell III (hamstring) returned to team work, and he is expected to progress in time for the season opener. LT Chad Wheeler (plantar fasciitis) is on the road to recovery as well. He has a "50-50" chance to play against Alabama.
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Senior Michael Hutchings was listed atop the depth chart at inside linebacker alongside sophomore Cam Smith. "It's a great feeling to have that depth chart come out and be at the top," said Hutchings. "I prepared every day knowing that there was nothing for me to really lose and nothing for me to get back after this year." - As a veteran in the room, particularly of Clancy Pendergast's defense, Hutchings explained that he does a lot of "passing down information to the younger guys." But, he only has two career starts, so sometimes he looks to Smith to take the leading role. "I also lean on him a lot too for little details and little advice."
- All the linebackers enjoy playing behind grad transfer DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu (pictured), who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 320 pounds. "Stevie takes up two guys a play," said a grateful Hutchings. "He's not just a big body in there taking up space, he's a guy that's active."
- Tu'ikolovatu was a reserve at Utah, but he graded out extremely well during his snaps and quickly earned a likely starting role at USC. "I knew they had a lot of guys," said the redshirt senior. "When you come in, you don't expect to get treated like, 'Oh, this guy's going to start.' I'm willing to put in the work and try to earn it for myself so it can mean something when you finally get the starter tag on you."
- The Trojans were desperate for his size, especially after the loss of Kenny Bigelow in the spring, but Tu'ikolovatu's experience has been the biggest difference maker. He is 25-years-old, married and has a child, so he brings a completely different dimension to an otherwise young defensive line room. "I think the biggest difference would be kind of having a mindset that you're out here for a purpose," he said. "You're not out here to be in college life. I'm here to try to build a life for my family, support my wife, so it gives me a more motivational drive to come out and practice, because I have a purpose behind it."
- It's not often that you hear a college player utter the words, "It's easier to play football when you have a happy wife," but Tu'ikolovatu explained that he made the move to USC in part to help his marriage and family grow away from most of their family in Utah. And, his wife has taken to Los Angeles quickly.
- While Utah has built a reputation for stout defensive lineman recently, Tu'ikolovatu is looking forward to the playmaking opportunities in Pendergast's defense. "The biggest difference is learning to get off blocks and make plays," he explained. "At Utah, we would try to occupy all the blockers and let our linebackers go free. We wouldn't make any plays and we'd let them make all of them. But over here it's OK to get off blockers and try to make plays for yourself, so I think that's pretty cool."
- At the other two defensive line positions, Helton expects to consistently rotate three players: Noah Jefferson, Rasheem Green and Malik Dorton.
- Reminder, USC opens its season in 10 days. Click here for ticket information. Here is more from Helton:
