Wide receivers coach John Morton is the lone survivor from Pete Carroll's staff, so he goes into the 2010 season with a library of knowledge on his position group with which the other assistants are not working.
From an experience standpoint, he's comfortable with Ronald Johnson as his lead guy, while he knows how redshirt senior David Ausberry fits best into the equation.
"David can do certain things really well," Morton said after practice. "We just have to make sure we have him in the game on those certain plays to create a mismatch with his size and his catching ability."
Of course, the freshmen trio are the story.
"They're doing a great job. For freshmen, they've picked things up really well. They're smart guys, who come out and compete everyday. They work their butt off and that's all we can ask. I've been impressed with them."
Robert Woods has drawn comparisons to Trojan greats Steve Smith and Keary Colbert.
"He's picked things up really well for a freshman. He's going to have a chance to play a lot."
Markeith Ambles has come on strong, including starring in the most recent scrimmage.
"He's tough. He's physical. He can run routes. He's got great burst, good speed. He can catch the ball. For a true freshman, he's done a heck of a job."
Morton has an extra semester with Kyle Prater, who arrived in the spring, but the big receiver has never been healthy enough to show off his true repertoire.
"He's just got to get healthy. He works his butt off every single day. 'Yes sir, no sir.' Does extra work. He's got unbelievable hands, that's the biggest asset he has. He's going to score a lot of touchdowns, but he's just got to get healthy and he's battling through it."
Under the radar, redshirt sophomore Brice Butler came into camp as the #2 guy, but Lane Kiffin has expressed concern about the lanky wideout making the tough catches in traffic. Morton is working on it with Butler.
"Just concentrate on the ball, don't take your eye off of it. That's the big thing. Guys that miss balls going across the middle, they tend to take their eye off of it. Snatch it and put it away quickly."
While Kiffin sees Dillon Baxter as a running back, he has the multi-purpose talents to create mismatches on the outside with his quickness and elusiveness after the catch.
"We've done a lot of reps with him. You've got to get the ball in his hands. He's very dangerous. He's what I call a weapon."
While the coaching staff is still evaluating each position group for playing time and the competition rages on, Morton envisions pairing the rotation down.
"We're probably going to have two or three receivers and that fourth guy will have a role."
Judging from the sidelines, Ronald Johnson is assured a lead role, while David Ausberry has been cast as a red zone specialist during the scrimmages.
Robert Woods will find his way on the field, which leaves Prater, Ambles and Butler trying to secure a regular spot.
While the Trojans scrounge for depth at other positions, this receiving corps is young, talented and loaded.
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From an experience standpoint, he's comfortable with Ronald Johnson as his lead guy, while he knows how redshirt senior David Ausberry fits best into the equation.
"David can do certain things really well," Morton said after practice. "We just have to make sure we have him in the game on those certain plays to create a mismatch with his size and his catching ability."
Of course, the freshmen trio are the story.
"They're doing a great job. For freshmen, they've picked things up really well. They're smart guys, who come out and compete everyday. They work their butt off and that's all we can ask. I've been impressed with them."
Robert Woods has drawn comparisons to Trojan greats Steve Smith and Keary Colbert.
"He's picked things up really well for a freshman. He's going to have a chance to play a lot."
Markeith Ambles has come on strong, including starring in the most recent scrimmage.
"He's tough. He's physical. He can run routes. He's got great burst, good speed. He can catch the ball. For a true freshman, he's done a heck of a job."
Morton has an extra semester with Kyle Prater, who arrived in the spring, but the big receiver has never been healthy enough to show off his true repertoire.
"He's just got to get healthy. He works his butt off every single day. 'Yes sir, no sir.' Does extra work. He's got unbelievable hands, that's the biggest asset he has. He's going to score a lot of touchdowns, but he's just got to get healthy and he's battling through it."
Under the radar, redshirt sophomore Brice Butler came into camp as the #2 guy, but Lane Kiffin has expressed concern about the lanky wideout making the tough catches in traffic. Morton is working on it with Butler.
"Just concentrate on the ball, don't take your eye off of it. That's the big thing. Guys that miss balls going across the middle, they tend to take their eye off of it. Snatch it and put it away quickly."
While Kiffin sees Dillon Baxter as a running back, he has the multi-purpose talents to create mismatches on the outside with his quickness and elusiveness after the catch.
"We've done a lot of reps with him. You've got to get the ball in his hands. He's very dangerous. He's what I call a weapon."
While the coaching staff is still evaluating each position group for playing time and the competition rages on, Morton envisions pairing the rotation down.
"We're probably going to have two or three receivers and that fourth guy will have a role."
Judging from the sidelines, Ronald Johnson is assured a lead role, while David Ausberry has been cast as a red zone specialist during the scrimmages.
Robert Woods will find his way on the field, which leaves Prater, Ambles and Butler trying to secure a regular spot.
While the Trojans scrounge for depth at other positions, this receiving corps is young, talented and loaded.
Robert Woods
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