The first practice under the afternoon sun tested the Trojans' conditioning.
- The players wore shoulder pads today, which led to more physicality and intensity. As is typical of this point in camp, the defense appeared to be a step ahead of the offense.
- However, FB Soma Vainuku caused the biggest reaction by bowling over S Gerald Bowman during a run drill. He has been impressive in the first three days of camp.
- Nickell Robey is the best cornerback in the Pac-12, but he had his hands full with Marqise Lee today. The sophomore wide receiver won most of their battles when the ball was in the air.
- While Lee and Robert Woods own the top two receiving spots, De'Von Flournoy has become the surprise leader at the third position. "Flournoy right now would be way ahead because of knowledge of the game," Kiffin said.
- George Farmer wants to compete for a wideout spot, but his body won't let him at the moment. "It is frustrating, but I can't let myself get down. I have to keep pushing for it," Farmer said."
Nelson Agholor appeared to be exhausted mid practice, but he pushed through and continues to work on the mental side of the position.- LT Aundrey Walker (pictured last night by Chris Sanchez) is a big focus of camp. He is taking over for Matt Kalil, the top NFL draft pick among offensive linemen. "He was a mentor to me and I love him for that," Walker said of filling Kalil's shoes. "I'm not thinking about the pressure because it will just confuse me and mess with my mind. I'm just thinking about blocking."
- Walker lost 85 pounds in the offseason and now needs to gain 10-15 pounds back, which brought a smile to the big man's face. However, he is no longer the biggest man on the field with mountainous freshman OL Zach Banner checking in at 6'9", 335 lbs. "He's huge," Walker said about Banner. "He's a great kid though. He's willing to work."
- Kiffin singled out Max Tuerk as the freshman offensive lineman who is the closest to breaking the rotation.
- The head coach also named S Demetrius Wright the defensive MVP among the less heralded players. "He seems to have turned the corner," Kiffin said.
- A pair of plays of the day: Dion Bailey jumped in front of a Cody Kessler pass and took it to the house for six. On the other side, Matt Barkley floated a perfect screen pass to Curtis McNeal who traveled 55 yards down the sideline for a score.
- Here is Kiffin...
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