- With more than half of last year's defensive squad returning, including three-fourths of the defensive line, the entire linebacking corps and the return of senior Shareece Wright to the secondary, USC's stoppers have began spring ball with an impressive start.
- Head coach Lane Kiffin complimented linebacker Jordan Campbell on his performance in practice today. The redshirt junior from Corona, Calif. also received praise from linebackers coach Joe Barry for his play during one-on-one blocking drills. Campbell used a swift spin move to blow by his defender and on his following rep employed a powerful bull rush to drive his opponent into the quarterback. Today was Campbell's first day of spring practice, after Kiffin said last week that Campbell hadn't fulfilled all his responsibilities as a team member and would have to earn his way back onto the squad.
- Wright also had himself a busy day. During seven-on-five passing drills, the veteran cornerback made a nice read by stepping in front of his receiver to break up a pass, nearly intercepting the throw. Wright capped off his day - and practice - by intercepting a slant route and taking it back for a score. After practice, Kiffin noted the importance of Wright's leadership and experience in a young secondary.
- On the offensive side of the ball, tailback Allen Bradford continued to show why he might be harder to stop than an Amtrak train. Bradford broke free for three scores during seven-on-seven drills, bullying his way through would-be tacklers on his first score. The senior demonstrated his repertoire of moves on his next two trips to paydirt, using his speed to get through an off-tackle hole on his second touchdown and using a spin move to elude a defender for his third.
- Freshman Dillon Baxter, who enrolled early this semester, showed why he was one of the top recruits in the nation. Described as a tailback/wide receiver hybrid because of his athleticism, Baxter took a handoff during seven-on-seven drills for a solid gain thanks to a couple impressive juke moves. Baxter also exhibited his elusiveness during the full squad scrimmage on a screen play for positive yardage. "Dillon's got a chance to be pretty special," Kiffin said of the young talent after practice.
- There were a number of notable former Trojans at practice, including Tim McDonald, Jim Hardy, Joe Cormier, Brent Parkinson, Tom Cox, Kyle Wachholtz, Martin French, Paul McDonald, Al Cowlings and Derek Graf. Attending with Cowlings was former Los Angeles Rams defensive end and Hollywood actor Fred Dryer. There were even a couple of ex-UCLA players--Wendell Tyer and Myke Horton--watching, but with good reason: their sons play for the Trojans (Marc Tyler and Shane and Wes Horton). Also at practice was former USC assistant coach (1966-68) Dick Coury, who went on to coach many years in the NFL.
- Signs were posted at the practice field, at Heritage Hall and on the path between the two that read:
USC AUTOGRAPH POLICY
All autographs MUST be personalized.
Autographing multiple items is NOT permitted.
Autographed items are for personal use and are NOT to be sold or auctioned. To do so could be a violation of NCAA rules.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
- The Trojans take Wednesday off and will return to the practice field on Thursday.
- Head coach Lane Kiffin complimented linebacker Jordan Campbell on his performance in practice today. The redshirt junior from Corona, Calif. also received praise from linebackers coach Joe Barry for his play during one-on-one blocking drills. Campbell used a swift spin move to blow by his defender and on his following rep employed a powerful bull rush to drive his opponent into the quarterback. Today was Campbell's first day of spring practice, after Kiffin said last week that Campbell hadn't fulfilled all his responsibilities as a team member and would have to earn his way back onto the squad.
- Wright also had himself a busy day. During seven-on-five passing drills, the veteran cornerback made a nice read by stepping in front of his receiver to break up a pass, nearly intercepting the throw. Wright capped off his day - and practice - by intercepting a slant route and taking it back for a score. After practice, Kiffin noted the importance of Wright's leadership and experience in a young secondary.
- On the offensive side of the ball, tailback Allen Bradford continued to show why he might be harder to stop than an Amtrak train. Bradford broke free for three scores during seven-on-seven drills, bullying his way through would-be tacklers on his first score. The senior demonstrated his repertoire of moves on his next two trips to paydirt, using his speed to get through an off-tackle hole on his second touchdown and using a spin move to elude a defender for his third.
- Freshman Dillon Baxter, who enrolled early this semester, showed why he was one of the top recruits in the nation. Described as a tailback/wide receiver hybrid because of his athleticism, Baxter took a handoff during seven-on-seven drills for a solid gain thanks to a couple impressive juke moves. Baxter also exhibited his elusiveness during the full squad scrimmage on a screen play for positive yardage. "Dillon's got a chance to be pretty special," Kiffin said of the young talent after practice.
- There were a number of notable former Trojans at practice, including Tim McDonald, Jim Hardy, Joe Cormier, Brent Parkinson, Tom Cox, Kyle Wachholtz, Martin French, Paul McDonald, Al Cowlings and Derek Graf. Attending with Cowlings was former Los Angeles Rams defensive end and Hollywood actor Fred Dryer. There were even a couple of ex-UCLA players--Wendell Tyer and Myke Horton--watching, but with good reason: their sons play for the Trojans (Marc Tyler and Shane and Wes Horton). Also at practice was former USC assistant coach (1966-68) Dick Coury, who went on to coach many years in the NFL.
- Signs were posted at the practice field, at Heritage Hall and on the path between the two that read:
USC AUTOGRAPH POLICY
All autographs MUST be personalized.
Autographing multiple items is NOT permitted.
Autographed items are for personal use and are NOT to be sold or auctioned. To do so could be a violation of NCAA rules.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
- The Trojans take Wednesday off and will return to the practice field on Thursday.
blog is rolling right along - you guys are doing a great job-