High expectations for USC, passing attack
April, 10, 2012
4/10/12
10:19
AM PT
By Brett Perrotta, ESPN Stats & Info | ESPN.com
Kirby Lee/US PresswireMatt Barkley is back to direct one of the most potent passing attacks in USC Trojans history.This is the first time since 2005 that USC has had its top passer, top rusher, and top two receivers return from the previous season. That team was coming off an undefeated season and national championship, and would run the table before falling to the Texas Longhorns in the final moments of the BCS Championship Game in Pasadena.
Aside from having the most prolific weapon in college football that season in Reggie Bush, USC's returning offensive group could be even more explosive in 2012 -- especially Matt Barkley and the Trojan passing assault.
Barkley's numbers from 2011 were better across the board than Matt Leinart's were when he won the Heisman Trophy in 2004. Barkley threw for more yards and touchdowns while completing a higher percentage of his passes in 2011 than Leinart did in 2004.
What's particularly scary for Pac-12 defenses is that Barkley has improved from year to year. His touchdowns have gone up and interceptions have dropped every year at USC, while Leinart's numbers were relatively unchanged during his three seasons leading the Trojans.
Barkley’s biggest improvement last year came when throwing the ball deep. He increased his completion percentage on passes 15-or-more yards downfield by 10 percent and didn’t throw an interception when throwing deep.
While Leinart often deferred to Reggie Bush and Lendale White in the red zone in 2005 (40 combined rushing TDs in 2005), the strength of the 2012 team lies with Barkley and his two favorite targets on the outside, Robert Woods and Marqise Lee.
The 2011 season marked the fourth time that a pair of USC receivers each eclipsed 1,000 yards, as Woods and Lee combined for 2,435 yards and 26 touchdowns. USC gained more yards from Barkley passing to Woods and Lee than 38 FBS teams had through the air for the season.
Woods and Barkley already hold several school and conference records. If they each replicate their success in 2012, even more records will fall.
Assuming a repeat performance of his 2011 statistics, Woods would be the Pac-12 career leader in receptions and would be tied for second in career touchdown receptions, all in three seasons. Barkley would be the eighth FBS quarterback to throw for more than 115 touchdowns in his career, and would be the Pac-12 career leader in passing yards and touchdowns.
Though setting records would be nice for these two players, the entire team has made it clear that there is a singular goal for the Men of Troy -- a BCS Championship.
Sharon Katz contributed to this post
College Football Live's Brock Huard catches up with Trojan quarterback Matt Barkley, who expects a lot of his team and himself in 2012.
Offensive tackle Nico Falah (Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco) is a fairly recent convert from basketball to football, and although he has quickly earned more than a dozen offers from some of the country's top programs, he is in no hurry to make a decision.
Falah said that while he struggled with the recruiting process early on, he has adapted to it over the past few months, and will now look to take his time with a final decision, likely waiting all the way until signing day. But Falah has jumped into the recruiting process, picking up offers from schools such as Boise State, Florida, Notre Dame, Oregon, UCLA and USC. Last week, Falah visited the Los Angeles schools and came away impressed.
"They were both really fun for me," Falah said of the trips, adding that while he has known the UCLA coaches for a longer period of time, he was able to develop his relationship with the USC coaches on Saturday.
Falah said that while he struggled with the recruiting process early on, he has adapted to it over the past few months, and will now look to take his time with a final decision, likely waiting all the way until signing day. But Falah has jumped into the recruiting process, picking up offers from schools such as Boise State, Florida, Notre Dame, Oregon, UCLA and USC. Last week, Falah visited the Los Angeles schools and came away impressed.
"They were both really fun for me," Falah said of the trips, adding that while he has known the UCLA coaches for a longer period of time, he was able to develop his relationship with the USC coaches on Saturday.
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Linebacker Dwight Williams (Gardena, Calif./Serra) hasn't his sophomore status prevent him from becoming one of the more talked-about players of the spring camp circuit. Williams wasn't exactly an unknown after he posted 69 tackles and two sacks last season, but he burst onto the scene in early April by earning the linebacker MVP at the Los Angeles Nike Camp. A few days later, Williams picked up his first scholarship offer, from Colorado.
On Saturday, Williams made his way to the Coliseum, to take in USC's scrimmage. It was the second time in a week Williams visited the Trojans.
"It's a lot of energy," Williams said of being down on the field for the scrimmage. "Those guys are flying around and making plays. I felt like I was part of the team because I was on the field on the defensive sideline."
On Saturday, Williams made his way to the Coliseum, to take in USC's scrimmage. It was the second time in a week Williams visited the Trojans.
"It's a lot of energy," Williams said of being down on the field for the scrimmage. "Those guys are flying around and making plays. I felt like I was part of the team because I was on the field on the defensive sideline."
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LOS ANGELES -- As the Trojans enter the final week of spring ball practices, it’s clear that the spring was impacted by the number of injuries, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
There was only one major injury -- the knee ligament tear for Tre Madden that will sideline him for the year -- while the rest were a series of seemingly minor problems that popped up.
George Farmer, Randall Telfer and Buck Allen have all missed time with hamstrings, Xavier Grimble and Junior Pomee had foot issues, Soma Vainuku had a bad back and Robert Woods (ankle) and Christian Thomas (hip) both missed the entire spring. All are expected back by the time fall camp arrives.
There was only one major injury -- the knee ligament tear for Tre Madden that will sideline him for the year -- while the rest were a series of seemingly minor problems that popped up.
George Farmer, Randall Telfer and Buck Allen have all missed time with hamstrings, Xavier Grimble and Junior Pomee had foot issues, Soma Vainuku had a bad back and Robert Woods (ankle) and Christian Thomas (hip) both missed the entire spring. All are expected back by the time fall camp arrives.
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Garry Paskwietz and Erik McKinney from WeAreSC take you through all of the latest news and notes to come out of the USC Trojans’ Saturday scrimmage.
LOS ANGELES -- One of the positions that has been hit hardest this spring by injuries has been the tight end spot. At one point, all four tight ends were sidelined with various injuries, but the last two practices have seen some positive movement.
Xavier Grimble returned to practice on Thursday and was able to take part in the Saturday scrimmage. Junior Pomee -- who has been out with the same foot injury that sidelined him for the 2011 season -- was also able to take part in a portion of the Saturday session before leaving when the foot got a little sore.
“I’m probably about 90 percent right now,” Pomee said after the Saturday scrimmage. “It felt good all week, so that’s why I tried to go today, but it started to ache a little so I told the coaches and they had me shut it down and put ice on it.”
Xavier Grimble returned to practice on Thursday and was able to take part in the Saturday scrimmage. Junior Pomee -- who has been out with the same foot injury that sidelined him for the 2011 season -- was also able to take part in a portion of the Saturday session before leaving when the foot got a little sore.
“I’m probably about 90 percent right now,” Pomee said after the Saturday scrimmage. “It felt good all week, so that’s why I tried to go today, but it started to ache a little so I told the coaches and they had me shut it down and put ice on it.”
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LOS ANGELES -- USC tailback Buck Allen remained on the Coliseum floor well after the conclusion of the Trojans 'Saturday scrimmage, providing answers to questions posed by the media. But of far more importance to Allen’s USC career was the fact that he was finally able to take the field and answer some questions for the USC coaches.
After arriving partway through fall camp last year, Allen served on the scout team throughout the season. This spring, the depleted tailback numbers were going to give Allen an opportunity to prove that he belonged in the rotation. But a hamstring injury early on forced him to the sideline, and Saturday became the first time Allen saw the field for any significant length of time. And while his first opportunity resulted in a muffed handoff, he bounced back with a 12-yard carry on his first successful attempt, and authored several impressive runs throughout the day.
“It felt good,” Allen said of his first extended work this spring. “I tried to go hard and give it my all, do what coach asked me to do…Today gave me confidence. Now I can go look at myself on film and work off of that.”
After arriving partway through fall camp last year, Allen served on the scout team throughout the season. This spring, the depleted tailback numbers were going to give Allen an opportunity to prove that he belonged in the rotation. But a hamstring injury early on forced him to the sideline, and Saturday became the first time Allen saw the field for any significant length of time. And while his first opportunity resulted in a muffed handoff, he bounced back with a 12-yard carry on his first successful attempt, and authored several impressive runs throughout the day.
“It felt good,” Allen said of his first extended work this spring. “I tried to go hard and give it my all, do what coach asked me to do…Today gave me confidence. Now I can go look at myself on film and work off of that.”
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Here was the depth chart that the Trojans used for Saturday's scrimmage at the Coliseum:
Offense
QB Matt Barkley – Cody Kessler – Max Wittek
TB Curtis McNeal – D.J. Morgan – Buck Allen
Offense
QB Matt Barkley – Cody Kessler – Max Wittek
TB Curtis McNeal – D.J. Morgan – Buck Allen
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California tight end earns invite to The Opening 
April, 6, 2012
4/06/12
6:43
PM PT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Several top West Coast defensive backs earned invites to Nike's The Opening with their performance in last Sunday's Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp. Friday, it was revealed that they will be joined by a familiar face on the opposite side of the ball, as ESPNU 150 Watch List tight end Marcus Baugh (Riverside, Calif./J.W. North) received an invitation to the event.
Baugh has collected nearly a dozen offers thus far, from schools such as Arizona State, Florida, Ohio State and UCLA. He attended a USC spring practice early this week and had an opportunity to speak with Lane Kiffin, Ed Orgeron and James Cregg afterward. Baugh said the Trojans coaches want him to be patient with the recruiting process, and that they are still interested in recruiting and evaluating him. Baugh added that he will attend USC's summer camp.
Baugh has collected nearly a dozen offers thus far, from schools such as Arizona State, Florida, Ohio State and UCLA. He attended a USC spring practice early this week and had an opportunity to speak with Lane Kiffin, Ed Orgeron and James Cregg afterward. Baugh said the Trojans coaches want him to be patient with the recruiting process, and that they are still interested in recruiting and evaluating him. Baugh added that he will attend USC's summer camp.
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LOS ANGELES -- Three weeks ago Tre Madden was earning rave reviews as a reserve linebacker for the Trojans. Today, the news that he will miss the 2012 season after tearing ligaments in his left knee is a blow to the running back position.
It’s amazing to think how quickly fortunes can turn for a team and a player. There were high expectations for Madden’s role on the defense heading into spring and he looked great during the opening week of practices. The coaches had a need at running back, however, and they saw something in Madden that made them think he would succeed in the switch.
You can’t say with any certainty that Madden would have been a major contributor for the Trojans in the fall -- after all we only saw him for seven practices at running back before he got hurt. But the potential was clearly there.
It’s amazing to think how quickly fortunes can turn for a team and a player. There were high expectations for Madden’s role on the defense heading into spring and he looked great during the opening week of practices. The coaches had a need at running back, however, and they saw something in Madden that made them think he would succeed in the switch.
You can’t say with any certainty that Madden would have been a major contributor for the Trojans in the fall -- after all we only saw him for seven practices at running back before he got hurt. But the potential was clearly there.
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Tre Madden out for the year with knee injury
April, 6, 2012
4/06/12
12:35
PM PT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
LOS ANGELES -- The injury bug has been nipping at the USC Trojans all spring, as wide receivers and tight ends have missed time with nagging injuries. But during Thursday's practice, it took a big bite out of the Trojans running back depth, as tailback Tre Madden tore a ligament in his knee and will be out for the 2012 season.
It happened on a run where Madden was untouched and went to the ground after attempting to make a cut in the open field.
Through only a handful of practices in after making the transition from outside linebacker, Madden impressed with his combination of balance and forward lean, and looked like he would make a case to become the big back the Trojans could rely on this season. With Madden out of the lineup, the Trojans are again down to just three scholarship tailbacks, as redshirt senior Curtis McNeal will be relied on heavily to carry the load this year. Behind McNeal, redshirt sophomore D.J. Morgan and redshirt freshman Buck Allen will likely be asked to step up into bigger roles. Morgan has had a somewhat quiet but effective spring, while Allen has participated in very few practices while nursing a hamstring injury.
Madden will redshirt this season and look to return to the field as a redshirt sophomore in 2013.
It happened on a run where Madden was untouched and went to the ground after attempting to make a cut in the open field.
Through only a handful of practices in after making the transition from outside linebacker, Madden impressed with his combination of balance and forward lean, and looked like he would make a case to become the big back the Trojans could rely on this season. With Madden out of the lineup, the Trojans are again down to just three scholarship tailbacks, as redshirt senior Curtis McNeal will be relied on heavily to carry the load this year. Behind McNeal, redshirt sophomore D.J. Morgan and redshirt freshman Buck Allen will likely be asked to step up into bigger roles. Morgan has had a somewhat quiet but effective spring, while Allen has participated in very few practices while nursing a hamstring injury.
Madden will redshirt this season and look to return to the field as a redshirt sophomore in 2013.
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LOS ANGELES -- Maryland offensive line transfer Max Garcia (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) was on USC's campus yesterday and stopped by USC practice.
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Welcome to the inaugural WeAreSC mailbag. Erik McKinney will answer reader questions about USC recruiting in this space every Friday. Questions can be submitted to Erik here.
Aztrojinal (Culver City, Calif.): Curious from the recruits you've talked to, do most of the kids view the scholarship restrictions as a positive (playing time, honor of being chosen) or a negative (making it more difficult to compete for a NC and practice at full speed)?
From a recruiting standpoint, the only part of the sanctions that played any part in making it difficult was the bowl ban. (It is still somewhat baffling that this staff was able to keep the 2010 recruiting class together in the face of virtually a complete staff turnover as well as the bowl ban announcement.) Had USC finished last season with seven or eight losses, the scholarship reductions would have been a big hurdle for the USC coaches to overcome and a negative recruiting point for conference coaches. As it is, with a top-five finish and a shot at a national championship this season, the scholarship restrictions don’t come up much, except if a recruit is being told to be patient in waiting for an offer because the staff is forced to be a bit more selective these next two years.
Aztrojinal (Culver City, Calif.): Curious from the recruits you've talked to, do most of the kids view the scholarship restrictions as a positive (playing time, honor of being chosen) or a negative (making it more difficult to compete for a NC and practice at full speed)?
From a recruiting standpoint, the only part of the sanctions that played any part in making it difficult was the bowl ban. (It is still somewhat baffling that this staff was able to keep the 2010 recruiting class together in the face of virtually a complete staff turnover as well as the bowl ban announcement.) Had USC finished last season with seven or eight losses, the scholarship reductions would have been a big hurdle for the USC coaches to overcome and a negative recruiting point for conference coaches. As it is, with a top-five finish and a shot at a national championship this season, the scholarship restrictions don’t come up much, except if a recruit is being told to be patient in waiting for an offer because the staff is forced to be a bit more selective these next two years.
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The USC Trojans received a big commitment Wednesday night from ESPNU 150 Watch List quarterback Max Browne (Sammamish, Calif./Skyline), and Lane Kiffin and staff weren't about to let that momentum stall. Thursday afternoon, the Trojans hosted ESPNU 150 Watch List tailback Justin Davis (Stockton, Calif./Lincoln).
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Davis visited USC with his mother, father and brother. The same group visited USC in early February for the Trojans junior day, but Davis said this time around he had many more opportunities to tour the campus and meet with coaches and players.
"They did everything right on this trip," Davis said of USC. "Everything was just about perfect. They made me feel at home."
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Davis visited USC with his mother, father and brother. The same group visited USC in early February for the Trojans junior day, but Davis said this time around he had many more opportunities to tour the campus and meet with coaches and players.
"They did everything right on this trip," Davis said of USC. "Everything was just about perfect. They made me feel at home."
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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.
Johnny Curren
Johnny Curren covers USC Trojans football and recruiting. He joined WeAreSC in 2012 after spending the previous two years at ESPNHS, and the nine years before that at Fox Sports West covering high school sports in the Los Angeles market. Email him at johnnycurren@hotmail.com.