April 2012 Archives

• He is projected as a fullback at the professional level, but played mostly tight end at USC until switching to the backfield in the spring of 2011.

• His father Riki Ellison was drafted in the 5th round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the 49ers.  He won two Super Bowls in San Francisco.

• Renowned for his work ethic, Rhett Ellison had the Trojan Way Leadership award named in his honor at the annual USC football banquet.

• Ellison joins Matt Kalil as the second Trojan taken by the Vikings in the 2012 NFL Draft.
  

• He is USC's 77th NFL first round draft pick, which is more than any other college program.

• He is the 475th NFL draftee out of USC, which is more than any other school.

• He is the fifth Trojan defensive lineman selected in the first round since 2004 joining Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson (2008), Mike Patterson (2005) and Kenechi Udeze (2004). 
  

• Perry and Matt Kalil are the first USC duo to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since the Trojans trio of 2009 (Mark Sanchez, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews).

• The versatile Perry will likely play outside linebacker in the Packers 3-4 scheme opposite fellow Trojan sackmaster Clay Matthews.

• The Michigan native will be close to home in Wisconsin.
  

• He is the 76th NFL first round draft pick out of USC, which is more than any other school. 
  

• He is the 22nd Trojan offensive lineman selected in the NFL first round since 1968, which averages out to one every other year.

• The Vikings previously selected USC offensive tackles Ron Yary (1st overall in 1968) and Steve Riley (25th in 1974) in the first round.

• He is the third member of the Kalil family to be drafted by the NFL joining his brother Ryan, an All-Pro center for the Carolina Panthers, and his father Frank, drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1982.

• Kalil joins a fraternity of 20 USC offensive tackles to be selected in the NFL Draft.
  

McClain's Wish from Michael Kroh on Vimeo.

• Tre Madden - The linebacker turned running back was the positive headliner of spring until he blew his knee out and became the biggest setback for a team in need of power and depth at tailback.  The injury changed the tenor of scrimmages which are now devoid of tackling and could be in the fall as well.  "It was just a fluke play that I wish I could take back," Madden described the non-contact injury for the first time today.  "I'm going to be in running back meetings, so I can get mentally focused on the position, so when I come back, I'm not a rookie again.

• George Farmer - The highly touted wide receiver was supposed to be the breakout star of spring after flashing his talent in the first week.  Instead, Farmer strained a hamstring and sat out every scrimmage until today when he made a couple live catches in the Coliseum.  "It was a little challenge [from Coach Kiffin], so I faced up to it and came out to see what I could do," said Farmer about Kiffin's comments earlier this week about pushing himself.  "Coming out and being named an MVP [of practice] and then getting injured the next practice was very disappointing.  It was frustrating."

• Backup QBs - Kiffin did not name Matt Barkley's number two today, but both Max Wittek and Cody Kessler have been impressive.  Kessler made the best throw of the day completing a 44-yard TD pass to Soma Vainuku.  And in a surprise move, Jesse Scroggins, who sat out most of spring dealing with injuries and academics, led a series today.  "It was definitely a learning experience," Kessler said about spring.  "We're all competing at the same time and every day."
  

• Interceptions - The secondary proved to be a group of veteran ball-hawks with two more picks today by Brian Baucham and Drew McAllister.  The defense returns the entire starting back seven defensively and it showed.  Plus, CBs Isiah Wiley, who had five pass deflections today, and Baucham, who intercepted Barkley, improved greatly during the offseason.

• Offensive Tackles - C Khaled Holmes and OGs Marcus Martin and John Martinez solidified their spots on the starting offensive line this spring.  For now, RT Kevin Graf and LT Aundrey Walker are Barkley's outside protectors, but both tackles struggled with the Trojans' speedy defensive ends.  "We got ran by on a couple third down pass rushes which has been an issue for us," Kiffin said about today's performance.  The head coach has preached patience with Walker, who continues his adjustment to the left side.
  

• The Legends - What other program can bring back greats like Ronnie Lott, Marcus Allen, Junior Seau, Anthony Munoz, Sam Cunningham, Keyshawn Johnson, Tony Boselli and Willie McGinest?  The great eight (pictured above) are walking football history and the current players understand the Trojan legacy.  "For me to be able to meet him and shake his hand is an honor," T.J. McDonald said about fellow safety Ronnie Lott, who expressed his admiration for T.J.  "This is DB U.  It's an honor for me to be even considered in the line with [Lott, McDonald Sr. and Polamalu]."

Two-Point Conversion...

• LB Tony Burnett and RB D.J. Morgan, who broke off a 47-yard TD run, were the defensive and offensive MVPs of the Spring Game.

• Attendance was 15,515 and the fans rushed the field for autographs after the game (pictured).
  

• Out for Saturday: TE Randall Telfer, LB Dallas Kelley and LB Marquis Simmons.
  
• Hopefully in for Saturday: CB Ryan Henderson and WR Victor Blackwell.
  
• Florida transfer Josh Shaw had his hardship waiver approved by the NCAA, so he is eligible to play for the Trojans this fall.  "This is like the happiest day of my life," said a beaming Shaw, who sat out this spring with a rib injury suffered during weight training.
• Shaw provides added depth to the defensive back corps which is already loaded.  "My goal is to be a starter here for the Trojans.  I think I'll start out playing safety and then they'll move me around to see where I fit best." 
  
• He has spent the spring taking mental reps on and off the field.  Shaw's roommate is T.J. McDonald and the two talk football into the night.  "That guy, he knows football," Shaw said about McDonald.  "We were up until 1 a.m. last night going over football.  I pick his brain as much as I can."
  
• Lane Kiffin on Shaw (pictured by John McGillen): "It's good for the team obviously, but because he's such a neat kid...I'm really happy for him."
  
• Practice was filled with interceptions again.  The veteran secondary has put a lot of pressure on an injury-riddled offense this spring.  "The defensive backs are extremely improved," Kiffin said.  "They are playing by far better than they have ever played since we were here."
• Kiffin provided some info on the Spring Game.  The Trojans will not tackle in an effort to "stay healthy."
• Also, the coaches will be calling plays from the sidelines instead of behind the huddle, which Kiffin said will be another evolutionary step for backup QB candidates Max Wittek and Cody Kessler.  Matt Barkley will play Saturday though.
• General Spring Game info: Parking lots open at 8 a.m.  Gates open at 12:30 p.m. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. 
  
• Here is Kiffin on a quiet practice...

AnEye 4 AnEye from Ryan Hinman Films on Vimeo.

• Injury list: CB Ryan Henderson (out), LB Dallas Kelley (out), LB Marquis Simmons (out) and TE Randall Telfer (out).
  

• WR George Farmer is still limited to individual drills, but Lane Kiffin urged the young talent to push himself to return this week.  "A lot of times with young guys, they are scared to go when they can be doing more than they are," Kiffin said about Farmer and Buck Allen.

• Robert Woods has shut it down for spring at the behest of the coaches and trainers who want him to fully recover.  He feels his ankle is strong enough to practice, but no one wants to see the problem linger any longer.  The plan is for Woods to return in July. 
  
• (Photo of Woods coaching up Victor Blackwell by John McGillen)
  
• Woods is celebrating his 20th birthday today.  "I'm still young," he said with a smile.
• The defense forced four interceptions Tuesday.  Jawanza Starling and Anthony Brown returned picks for six.
• Kiffin expects turnovers to be a strength of this year's defense which he described as "fast," but "undersized."  "They have really good ball skills in the back seven to make a bunch of significant plays."
  
• The Mater Dei connection provided the most impressive offensive highlight.  Max Wittek perfectly placed a 55-yard bomb in Victor Blackwell's arms for six.
• We have not talked much about special teams this spring, but Peter McBride taking over for Chris Pousson at long snapper is a story that coach John Baxter is hoping nobody notices.  "We're working on him never being interviewed," said Baxter, who knows long snappers only get attention for mistakes.  "He's a good player.  The only thing he lacks is game experience."
  
• Kyle Negrete is the incumbent at punter, but Kris Albarado is pushing him from behind.  "As a coach you never say a job is closed," Baxter explained.  "If the challenger can beat the champ, then the challenger plays.  If it's close, the tie goes to experience."
• Andre Heidari is coming off a sterling freshman season, but his trimmed down body is proof that he's avoided complacency.  "He's really bought into the program of strength training," Baxter said.  "He's increased his power."
• Here is Lane Kiffin at the start of the final week of spring ball...

• New injuries: WR De'Von Flournoy suffered a high ankle sprain getting tackled from behind.  TE Junior Pomee reaggravated his foot injury.  The Trojans did not tackle today in an effort to stay healthy.
  
• Lane Kiffin on Tre Madden's season-ending knee injury: "Extremely disappointing.  He was probably one of the most valuable players on our team because...we don't have anybody like him."
• Kiffin announced that Madden will stay as a running back when he returns from knee surgery.  He compared his running style to "LenDale White with a little more speed."
  
• "I think he would have been really special," said RB coach Kennedy Polamalu about Madden.  "People have come off the ACL and done well, so it's just lucky we have a redshirt year."
• "That's how I tore mine just making a cut," said D.J. Morgan, who is finally back to full speed more than two years since knee surgery.  "It's just devastating, especially when you are about to go on and do good things."
• Who is going to step up and fill out the depth chart behind starting RB Curtis McNeal? Buck Allen had his best day as a Trojan.  "Today gave me confidence," said Allen, who is still battling a nagging hamstring issue.  "A teammate went down, so I knew I had to step up.  I could have taken the day off but I didn't."
  
• "We don't know very much about him," Kiffin said about Allen.  "We're going to need somebody whether it's him or whether it's Nelson [Agholor] coming in."
• McNeal and backup D.J. Morgan are not exceptional receivers, so Agholor will at least provide the option as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.  Plus, he brings the Wildcat element.
  
• Morgan has been under the radar since Madden's emergence, but he's back to full speed and learning the system at an advanced level.  "When you can play fast, everything comes easier," said Morgan about the mental side of the game.
  
• Neither McNeal (pictured by John McGillen), Morgan nor Agholor are big backs, so the Trojans are still searching for short yardage options.  According to coach Polamalu, FB Vainuku is a "natural" runner.  He broke off a long run today and then caught a TD pass from Matt Barkley. "He's better than I ever was, but I told him that I was pretty good," Polamalu joked.
  
• On the defensive side, CB Brian Baucham is having a strong spring as he returns from academic ineligibility.  "In the classroom, I feel like this was my best semester ever," said Baucham.  "Becoming a man is kind of a process, but I'm finally getting the big picture."
• Curtis McNeal returned from academic probation to run for 1,000+ yards last season.  "I look up to him as a brother and as a friend," said Baucham.  "He's a good role model who showed that when you fall down, you get up.  And when you get up, you show what you can do."
• Here's the full story from Lane Kiffin after a shortened scrimmage at the Coliseum...

• USC RB Tre Madden, who has been the story of spring football, was helped off the field after going down with an apparent left knee injury on a non-contact play.  The severity of the injury is unknown.  "There's that concern any time with knees when guys can't really walk afterward," said Lane Kiffin. (Photo of Madden by John McGillen)
  
• Injury report: S Drew McAllister (hip), S T.J. McDonald (limited), Buck Allen (mostly out), TE Junior Pomee (out but expected to practice Saturday), TE Randall Telfer (reaggravated hamstring), LB Marquis Simmons (came out during practice).
  
• TE Xavier Grimble practiced for the first time since week one of spring football.  "It felt better than I thought it would," said Grimble, who was out with turf toe.  "[The tight ends] all kind of went down [this spring]."
• Practice had a little extra spirit today as the winner of the turnover battle got out of conditioning drills.  The defense won the day with interceptions by CB Isiah Wiley and LB Tony Burnett.  "Always a good day when you get to pick off Matt Barkley," said Wiley.
  
• Burnett has been moved to linebacker from defensive back.  "It looks good so far," said Kiffin about the move.  "He's actually bigger and stronger than Dion [Bailey]."
  
• Cody Kessler threw his first interception of spring practice.  In fact, he almost got picked twice.  LB Anthony Sarao dropped one before Burnett made Kessler pay for an errand throw.
• With Torin Harris out, Wiley is the starting corner opposite Nickell Robey.  He came on last year in a pinch after injuries riddled the depth chart.  "I feel a lot more comfortable a year into the system," Wiley said.  "I am playing a lot faster.  With less thinking comes more action."
• Wiley and Harris will compete to start in the fall.  "Competition makes everyone better," said Wiley, who is up for the challenge.
  
• "The tackles are a work in progress," said Kiffin about Kevin Graf and Aundrey Walker.  However, Walker is basically unopposed at left tackle right now so it's more a case of getting him used to the position than Walker losing his job.
• Kiffin is happy with the production and depth on the interior offensive line.  He emphasized the improvement of guards John Martinez and Marcus Martin.
• The Trojans were visited by half a dozen Marines from the Wounded Warriors West Battalion at Camp Pendleton.  The group spoke with Matt Barkley, Khaled Holmes and Lane Kiffin after practice.
• Here's more from Kiffin including his thoughts on the new John McKay Center...
  

• Injury report: LB Dion Bailey (dental issue), TE Junior Pomee (out but no break in his foot), RB Buck Allen (out), WR George Farmer (limited), TE Randall Telfer (limited) and TE Xavier Grimble (limited).
  
• NFL WRs Damian Williams and Patrick Turner (pictured by John McGillen) returned to Troy to help fill out the depleted numbers at wideout and give the quarterbacks a professional look.  "Just another example of Trojan players helping each other out," said a thankful Lane Kiffin.  "It was good to have those guys out here."
  
• The team got a boost from the return of C Khaled Holmes and FB Soma Vainuku.
• We got our first look at Tre Madden in the Wildcat today, but the running back never actually aired it out.
• Matt Barkley tossed a pair of long touchdown passes to Marqise Lee and De'Von Flournoy.
  
• S Demetrius Wright was named the MVP of the day by Lane Kiffin.  He acknowledged Wright's work on special teams and gave Jawanza Starling's backup some first team reps.
  
• Perhaps motivated, Starling flattened WR Victor Blackwell for the biggest hit of practice. 
• Young defensive tackles J.R. Tavai and Antwaun Woods are impressing the coaches.  Tavai is small for the position, but "the size issue with J.R. is not showing up," said Kiffin.  Woods was one of the stars of last Saturday's scrimmage.
  
• Staying on the defensive side of the ball, the young linebacker trio is starting to grow up.  "I'm trying to build myself into becoming a leader, so when the older guys are gone, I can step up and fill that role," said Hayes Pullard.
  
• MLB Lamar Dawson is the youngest of the group, but the Kentucky native is a natural born leader.  "He came in as a leader," Pullard said about his teammate.  "He came in and dominated at school as well as on his playbook.  He's growing up as well as all of us."
• The linebacker room has a new lead voice in coach Scottie Hazelton.  "He's just as energetic [as Joe Barry]," Pullard said.  "He teaches a little bit more, but they are pretty much the same."
• Kiffin credited DB coach Marvin Sanders for Demetrius Wright's improvement, so the new assistants are making their mark.
• Here is Lane Kiffin on a beautiful Tuesday evening...