LOS ANGELES -- In watching Tony Burnett over the past several years, one thing has become clear. The guy knows how to jump around.
Burnett originally attended USC on a track scholarship, where he took part in the long jump and triple jump, winning the Trojan Tri-Meet and Trojan Invitational in the latter last season. Eventually, Burnett found his way over to the football team and began his career as a safety before moving to cornerback last season. Tuesday saw Burnett make yet another leap up one level, as he ran with the first unit at strongside linebacker.
“I’m a pretty quick learner and I’m having to learn things fast,” Burnett said. “They threw me into the fire. It was pretty good for my first day ever playing the position.”
Burnett originally attended USC on a track scholarship, where he took part in the long jump and triple jump, winning the Trojan Tri-Meet and Trojan Invitational in the latter last season. Eventually, Burnett found his way over to the football team and began his career as a safety before moving to cornerback last season. Tuesday saw Burnett make yet another leap up one level, as he ran with the first unit at strongside linebacker.
“I’m a pretty quick learner and I’m having to learn things fast,” Burnett said. “They threw me into the fire. It was pretty good for my first day ever playing the position.”
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A group of 15 USC Trojans football players will be heading to Haiti next month to build houses and deliver supplies.
Haiti was hit by an earthquake in 2010 that severely damaged parts of the country and the USC players will be part of a humanitarian effort to build three houses and transport more than 2,000 pounds of supplies.
The group will be part of an effort sponsored by Hope Force International and will be working in the community of Sous Savanne. The group departs May 14 and will stay in Haiti until May 19.
USC quarterback Matt Barkley and his family have led the way in putting together the trip and they will been joined by several other Trojans players, including T.J. McDonald, Robert Woods, Khaled Holmes, Kyle Negrete, Nickell Robey, Devon Kennard, Hayes Pullard, Max Wittek, Cody Kessler, Scott Starr, Josh Shaw, Cyrus Hobbi, Kevin Greene and Luke Freeman.
Haiti was hit by an earthquake in 2010 that severely damaged parts of the country and the USC players will be part of a humanitarian effort to build three houses and transport more than 2,000 pounds of supplies.
The group will be part of an effort sponsored by Hope Force International and will be working in the community of Sous Savanne. The group departs May 14 and will stay in Haiti until May 19.
USC quarterback Matt Barkley and his family have led the way in putting together the trip and they will been joined by several other Trojans players, including T.J. McDonald, Robert Woods, Khaled Holmes, Kyle Negrete, Nickell Robey, Devon Kennard, Hayes Pullard, Max Wittek, Cody Kessler, Scott Starr, Josh Shaw, Cyrus Hobbi, Kevin Greene and Luke Freeman.
ESPNU 150 Watchlist member Michael Hutchings (Concord, Calif./De La Salle) talks with RecruitingNation at the Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp.
It’s not often that LSU wanders to the Pacific Coast in search for high school players.
So when LSU secondary coach Corey Raymond called one of the top 2013 defensive backs last week, you might say it was a little unexpected.
“I was really surprised,” said safety Max Redfield, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety from Mission Viejo, Calif., who is also an ESPNU 150 Watch List member. “I had only talked to Coach Raymond a little bit, and I got an offer.”
So when LSU secondary coach Corey Raymond called one of the top 2013 defensive backs last week, you might say it was a little unexpected.
“I was really surprised,” said safety Max Redfield, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety from Mission Viejo, Calif., who is also an ESPNU 150 Watch List member. “I had only talked to Coach Raymond a little bit, and I got an offer.”
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Armstead to conduct workout for NFL scouts
April, 3, 2012
4/03/12
11:35
AM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
Former USC defensive tackle Armond Armstead will be working out on Wednesday for NFL scouts at Cal State Sacramento.
The most important test for Armstead in terms of his future plans will probably not come on the field, however. It will likely come in the off-field tests by NFL doctors.
Armstead, who graduated from USC last December, was not allowed to work out with the other Trojans players at the USC Pro Day in March because of on-going medical issues.
It has been one year since Armstead was originally hospitalized with chest pains, and he was never cleared by USC doctors to return to the field in 2011. Armstead looked at several options -- including transferring to another school as he had one year of eligibility left -- but he eventually decided to move forward with his professional career and enter the NFL draft.
The situation with his medical status remains unclear. Due to privacy and legal concerns, USC is not allowed to comment on the details of his case. The Armstead family has said that tests with other doctors have ruled out a heart condition and that his health is not an issue, but have not provided any other details beyond that.
Any NFL team that looks to draft or sign Armstead as a free agent will obviously want to conduct their own medical tests to determine his status. If he is indeed free of any real issues, then it’s easy to imagine that he will be in an NFL camp next fall. Armstead clearly has some physical gifts that will warrant a team giving him a look, provided the medical questions are cleared to their satisfaction.
The most important test for Armstead in terms of his future plans will probably not come on the field, however. It will likely come in the off-field tests by NFL doctors.
Armstead, who graduated from USC last December, was not allowed to work out with the other Trojans players at the USC Pro Day in March because of on-going medical issues.
It has been one year since Armstead was originally hospitalized with chest pains, and he was never cleared by USC doctors to return to the field in 2011. Armstead looked at several options -- including transferring to another school as he had one year of eligibility left -- but he eventually decided to move forward with his professional career and enter the NFL draft.
The situation with his medical status remains unclear. Due to privacy and legal concerns, USC is not allowed to comment on the details of his case. The Armstead family has said that tests with other doctors have ruled out a heart condition and that his health is not an issue, but have not provided any other details beyond that.
Any NFL team that looks to draft or sign Armstead as a free agent will obviously want to conduct their own medical tests to determine his status. If he is indeed free of any real issues, then it’s easy to imagine that he will be in an NFL camp next fall. Armstead clearly has some physical gifts that will warrant a team giving him a look, provided the medical questions are cleared to their satisfaction.
5 things we learned at LA Nike Camp 
April, 3, 2012
4/03/12
10:29
AM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
• This defensive back group is as good as advertised: We knew coming into the camp that the secondary was supposed to be the highlight and that definitely turned out to be the case. There was elite talent at the high end but also no shortage of other guys who could really play. If you’re a Pac-12 school and you need DBs, this is a good year to grab them.
• Joe Mathis is a legit national recruit: There were some eyebrows raised last week when defending national champion Alabama reached across the country to offer a scholarship to Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland). It was notable that the offer came as a linebacker, but Mathis went out at the Nike Camp as a defensive end and proved that his pass-rush skills are among the best around.
• Wide receiver group was better than expected: The last few years in the Southern California area has been a terrific run on big-time wide receivers, but there didn’t seem to be that top-end talent in this class. After seeing the receivers in action on Sunday, however, this is still a very good group that can hold their own.
• Joe Mathis is a legit national recruit: There were some eyebrows raised last week when defending national champion Alabama reached across the country to offer a scholarship to Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland). It was notable that the offer came as a linebacker, but Mathis went out at the Nike Camp as a defensive end and proved that his pass-rush skills are among the best around.
• Wide receiver group was better than expected: The last few years in the Southern California area has been a terrific run on big-time wide receivers, but there didn’t seem to be that top-end talent in this class. After seeing the receivers in action on Sunday, however, this is still a very good group that can hold their own.
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Watch List QB Browne to announce Wednesday
April, 3, 2012
4/03/12
9:29
AM PT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Max Browne (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline), one of the nation's top quarterback recruits, will announce his commitment Wednesday evening.
Browne has narrowed his choices to Alabama, Oklahoma, USC and Washington, although with recent visits to see the Sooners and Trojans, most think it will come down to those two programs.
Browne has narrowed his choices to Alabama, Oklahoma, USC and Washington, although with recent visits to see the Sooners and Trojans, most think it will come down to those two programs.
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NORWALK, Calif. -- There was plenty of hand wringing among USC fans in February when Trojans linebacker coach Joe Barry left for a similar position with the San Diego Chargers and top linebacker recruit Michael Hutchings (Concord, Calif./De La Salle) almost immediately cancelled his visit to USC for junior day. He maintained his interest in the Trojans and said he would still visit USC this summer and fall, but Hutchings seemed to be wavering -- however slightly -- in his long-held stance that USC topped his list without a clear No. 2.
USC fans can breathe a little easier now, after Hutchings combined a Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp appearance with a visit to Lane Kiffin and staff. Of particular interest to Hutchings was spending time with new linebackers coach Scottie Hazelton.
"That was probably the most important part of the visit - -my relationship with Coach Hazelton," Hutchings said. "Getting time with him and getting to talk football with him -- that was fun. I got to know him and he's great. He's just like coach Barry -- they're teachers and not really screamers. They like to get pumped up, but they are teachers first. He knows what's going on in that defense and that's something I really liked and thought highly of. We understood each other great. I loved him."
USC fans can breathe a little easier now, after Hutchings combined a Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp appearance with a visit to Lane Kiffin and staff. Of particular interest to Hutchings was spending time with new linebackers coach Scottie Hazelton.
"That was probably the most important part of the visit - -my relationship with Coach Hazelton," Hutchings said. "Getting time with him and getting to talk football with him -- that was fun. I got to know him and he's great. He's just like coach Barry -- they're teachers and not really screamers. They like to get pumped up, but they are teachers first. He knows what's going on in that defense and that's something I really liked and thought highly of. We understood each other great. I loved him."
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Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., cornerback Chris Hawkins talks about his commitment to USC.
Review of USC targets at NFTC
April, 2, 2012
4/02/12
9:36
AM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz and
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
There were plenty of USC prospects in action at the Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp on Sunday and here’s our position-by-position look at who stood out:
Quarterbacks
Garry Paskwietz: The guy who probably stood out to me the most was Troy Williams from Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne. He’s much more improved physically than I remember him being last year and he threw a sharp ball. I’m not ready to put him on a level with Max Browne (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline) or Hayden Rettig (Los Angeles/Cathedral) -- neither of whom was there -- but he’s definitely one of the best ones in the area.
Quarterbacks
Garry Paskwietz: The guy who probably stood out to me the most was Troy Williams from Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne. He’s much more improved physically than I remember him being last year and he threw a sharp ball. I’m not ready to put him on a level with Max Browne (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline) or Hayden Rettig (Los Angeles/Cathedral) -- neither of whom was there -- but he’s definitely one of the best ones in the area.
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Garry Paskwietz and Erik McKinney from WeAreSC take a look at the great day had by several USC targets at the Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp.
LOS ANGELES -- While cheers undoubtedly went up throughout the USC coaching staff and Hawkins family alike when Chris Hawkins of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., verbally committed to the Trojans at the conclusion of the Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp on Sunday afternoon, a sigh of relief escaped Hawkins’ mouth through all the smiles.
After moving from quarterback to cornerback prior to his junior season, the 6-foot, 170-pound Hawkins has spent countless hours working on changing direction. But nothing could have prepared him for the past month of his life.
Hawkins, an ESPN Watch List member, received more than two dozen offers during his junior year and on March 10 was ready to make a verbal commitment to the Stanford Cardinal. But just 24 hours before the scheduled announcement, a conversation with USC recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron saw another offer added to the mix, and a big one at that. Hawkins canceled his announcement plans as he mulled over the two schools, eventually settling on an April 1 decision date and deciding to stick with the Cardinal.
After moving from quarterback to cornerback prior to his junior season, the 6-foot, 170-pound Hawkins has spent countless hours working on changing direction. But nothing could have prepared him for the past month of his life.
Hawkins, an ESPN Watch List member, received more than two dozen offers during his junior year and on March 10 was ready to make a verbal commitment to the Stanford Cardinal. But just 24 hours before the scheduled announcement, a conversation with USC recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron saw another offer added to the mix, and a big one at that. Hawkins canceled his announcement plans as he mulled over the two schools, eventually settling on an April 1 decision date and deciding to stick with the Cardinal.
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Here's the depth chart that was used for the USC scrimmage on Saturday at the Coliseum
Offense
QB Max Wittek – Cody Kessler
TB Curtis McNeal – D.J. Morgan – Tre Madden
Offense
QB Max Wittek – Cody Kessler
TB Curtis McNeal – D.J. Morgan – Tre Madden
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LOS ANGELES -- The Trojans held an open scrimmage today at the Coliseum in front of a gathering of USC fans anxious for their first look at the team this spring. Unfortunately, it wasn’t actually a true indication of what the team can or will look like in the fall.
Matt Barkley took part in the early position drills but did not participate in the scrimmage. The two starting wide receivers were not there -- Robert Woods is out for spring with an ankle injury while Marqise Lee is with the track team today -- and there were no scholarship tight ends or fullbacks available either.
That meant a fairly skeleton crew for the offense, which resulted in a pretty good day for the defense. It also meant a lot of work for backup quarterbacks Cody Kessler and Max Wittek, both of whom will take any work they can get at this point in a practice setting.
Matt Barkley took part in the early position drills but did not participate in the scrimmage. The two starting wide receivers were not there -- Robert Woods is out for spring with an ankle injury while Marqise Lee is with the track team today -- and there were no scholarship tight ends or fullbacks available either.
That meant a fairly skeleton crew for the offense, which resulted in a pretty good day for the defense. It also meant a lot of work for backup quarterbacks Cody Kessler and Max Wittek, both of whom will take any work they can get at this point in a practice setting.
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Before Friday, there weren’t many top programs that hadn’t offered defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland). Friday afternoon saw another college crossed off the list.
Mathis can now add the Crimson Tide to his impressive offer sheet, following a conversation with Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“It’s a great feeling,” Mathis said. “I was able to talk to Coach Saban on the phone, and he said he was real impressed with my film and wanted to offer me.”
Mathis can now add the Crimson Tide to his impressive offer sheet, following a conversation with Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“It’s a great feeling,” Mathis said. “I was able to talk to Coach Saban on the phone, and he said he was real impressed with my film and wanted to offer me.”
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ABOUT WE ARE SC
Garry Paskwietz
Garry Paskwietz is the publisher and founder of WeAreSC.com and has covered the Trojans since 1997. Send him an email at garry@wearesc.com.
Blair Angulo
Blair Angulo covers USC Trojans recruiting. He joined ESPNLA.com in 2010 and also interned at the Los Angeles Daily News. Email him at blair.angulo@gmail.com.