USC Trojans

LOS ANGELES -- With the Trojans back to the grind and hard at work at Cromwell Field, here’s a look at some of the early storylines that have taken shape during the team’s volunteer passing sessions.

Tons of talent at WR, not a lot of depth

The USC receiver corps was dealt a significant blow in the second throwing session of the summer when promising freshman Steven Mitchell went down with a torn ACL that will cause him to miss the entire 2013 season. Already without the services of George Farmer -- who suffered the same injury this spring -- the Trojans now have just five active scholarship wide receivers on the current roster.

The good news is that those five players have looked stellar this offseason and, barring any more injuries, USC should be fine here. In particular, 2012 Biletnifkoff Award winner Marqise Lee, and sophomore Nelson Agholor have made a routine of putting on a virtual exhibition during the 7-on-7 drills, and it’s hard to imagine a better wideout tandem in the country. Just as importantly, with the role of the team’s No. 3 receiver still up for grabs, veteran pass-catchers Victor Blackwell and De'Von Flournoy, as well as freshman , have come out each day more focused than ever, paying off with big time results.

Wittek returns to action, QB competition back on in full effect

The most notable player missing from the Trojans' early passing sessions was quarterback Max Wittek, who battled an apparent case of mononucleosis. The only member of the quarterback competition with starting experience returned to action this past Friday and looked sharp after shaking off some early rust.

The other two members of the quarterback competition -- fellow redshirt sophomore Cody Kessler and early entrant freshman Max Browne -- have performed solidly this offseason. Kessler, in particular, has picked up right where he left off in the spring, looking poised and in command while also throwing with fantastic accuracy. Meanwhile, Browne has continued to make tremendous strides, neither looking nor playing like a green first-year youngster.

With Wittek having returned to compete alongside Kessler and Browne, the race for the role of USC's starting quarterback is underway once again. And with all three players back out there pushing each other, there’s reason for optimism, regardless of who the eventual starter is.

Key contributors back from injury

While the loss of Mitchell marked the obvious low point of the workouts so far, the return of a number of players who missed all, or a portion, of the spring due to injury has been one of the great positives. Fullback Soma Vainuku, offensive lineman Chad Wheeler, tight ends Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer, defensive lineman Greg Townsend Jr., cornerbacks Torin Harris and Kevon Seymour, as well as safeties Dion Bailey, Gerald Bowman and Su'a Cravens are just some of the players who have been spotted back in action. It’s provided a big shot in the arm for a team somewhat short in terms of numbers.

The most talked about return has been that of Bailey, who was out for the entire spring due to postseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. Moving over to free safety after spending the last two seasons as the team’s starting strongside linebacker, he’s looked comfortable, and the competition between he, Demetrius Wright and Leon McQuay III for the starting job is sure to be one of most closely watched position battles of the summer and fall.

Shaw still at safety

With Lane Kiffin underwhelmed by the production of the cornerback unit this past spring, the Trojans head coach noted on more than one occasion that the coaching staff was considering moving redshirt junior Josh Shaw back over from his strong safety spot to corner -- not a huge surprise considering he made seven starts at the position in 2012.

So far, however, there’s been no sign of the former Palmdale (Calif.) standout making that change. Lining up at strong safety during every passing session, he’s currently locked in a position battle with Cravens and Bowman. And while things could always change later in the summer or even during fall camp, it looks as if Shaw has settled in at safety at this time and that Kiffin will ride with what he currently has at cornerback -- collection that includes Anthony Brown, Ryan Dillard, Harris, Chris Hawkins, Ryan Henderson, Seymour and Devian Shelton.

Sightings of the newest freshmen

All six of the Trojans newest freshmen additions are now on campus, and they’ve slowly begun to make their presence felt in the workouts. It was Mitchell who made the biggest impact early on with his unique playmaking skills, giving an all-too-brief glimpse of the kind of talent that the USC offense will have at its disposal down the line. Inside linebacker Michael Hutchings has impressed as well. Figuring to play a key role as the potential backup at the MIKE linebacker spot to Hayes Pullard, he certainly looks the part of an imposing run-stopper with a nice combination of athleticism and instincts to boot. Outside linebacker Quinton Powell has already shown off some nice pass-rush skills during the 11-on-11 periods. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, running back Ty Isaac is as big as advertised while also showcasing a surprising burst for a player his size. Rounding out the group, offensive tackle Nico Falah and guard Khaliel Rodgers have also been quick to jump into the action, gaining valuable tutelage from veterans such as Kevin Graf and John Martinez.

With the Trojans hard at work in the weight room and on the field again this June, here’s a look at some of the offseason storylines surrounding a position group that appears to possess a much greater level of talent and depth than it did this past season -- the USC running back corps.

Physicality is key

While the USC offense did put up some impressive numbers throughout much of the 2012 season, it also sputtered at times, due in part to a game-plan that placed a dramatic emphasis on the passing attack. With the Trojans compiling 461 passing attempts compared to just 392 rushes, the ground game appeared to lose much of its trademark physicality, and USC ran for an average of just 150.6 yards per game -- the No. 71 mark in the FBS.

Fast forward to the spring, and USC head coach Lane Kiffin made no secret of the fact that a major priority was to bring the power-run game back as part of what could potentially be a more balanced offense in 2013 -- with a particular focus directed at the running backs and offensive line. With a new position coach leading them through their paces in Tommie Robinson, the running backs appeared to run with a renewed sense of physicality, and virtually every member of the rotation upped their level of play. Whether or not this change in philosophy carries on into the fall remains to be seen. But if this spring was any indication, the USC running backs could be on the cusp of making a real statement in 2013.

Great expectations for Redd

Figuring to lead the way for the USC tailback group will be senior Silas Redd. Arriving on campus as a transfer from Penn State just prior to the start of fall camp last August, he made a lightning-quick transition and finished the 2012 campaign as the team’s leading rusher with 905 yards and nine touchdowns. And while his spring was cut short due to a torn meniscus in his knee, with what he did show in the little time that he was able to work out, there’s every reason to believe that he’s primed for an even bigger 2013 season. Equally as important, he’s a veteran leader with a blue-collar work ethic who gained the respect of his teammates right off the bat upon his arrival, and he’s sure to aid in the progression of the running back corps as a whole.

No shortage of talent

While Redd is the headliner of the unit, thanks to some standout play by a few other tailbacks who took advantage of his absence this spring, he doesn’t quite have the starting job locked up just yet.

Early-entrant freshman Justin Davis, in particular, was a revelation. Showcasing a tough north-south rushing style, he wowed onlookers with his play on a daily basis, and he was rewarded with a spot atop the post-spring depth chart alongside Redd and redshirt sophomore Tre Madden. Madden, who returned to practice in a limited capacity after missing the 2012 season with a torn ACL, showed no ill effects of the injury, and the 6-foot-1, 220 pound athlete certainly appears ready to give the USC offense its best example of a pure power back.

Behind those three, redshirt junior D.J. Morgan arguably looked the best that he has in a Trojans uniform, showing impressive speed and explosiveness at times, while redshirt sophomore Javorius “Buck” Allen -- a virtual non-factor his first two years on campus -- showed vast improvement, something he attributes to having the playbook down pat for the first time.

And then there’s freshman Ty Isaac, who just arrived on campus. Standing 6-3 and 215 pounds, he gives this unit a completely different look as a hulking physical presence with a ton of athleticism to boot, and he could possibly also factor into the discussion here.

With so much talent and depth at the position compared to the situation in 2012 -- when the Trojans had just four active tailbacks on scholarship -- the increased level of competition figures to continue to bring out the best in everyone. And if it ultimately does just that, it’s safe to say that the Trojans’ offense will be in good hands regardless of who it is that gets the bulk of the carries.

Two-headed monster taking shape at FB

One player who certainly didn’t have any trouble adjusting to the increased physical nature of USC’s practices this spring was the team’s primary starter at fullback in 2012, redshirt sophomore Soma Vainuku. As smash-mouth as you can get, he’s made a name for himself as an imposing lead blocker for the Trojans. But with Vainuku going down with a PCL injury in his knee in the second week, it was the performance by sophomore Jahleel Pinner that turned into one of the major stories of the spring. The running back unit’s most improved player of the entire slate of March and April practices according to Robinson, the Mission Viejo (Calif.) product asserted himself as a more-than-capable performer at the position. As a result, when the post-spring depth chart was released, he wound up sharing the starting title with Vainuku.

With the Trojans now apparently possessing a pair of standout options at fullback, with Simione Vehikite also adding depth, the team appears to be in good shape at the spot, but there is still room for growth. Because while Vainuku and Pinner have established themselves as efficient blockers, neither has made a significant impact in terms of their offensive numbers just yet. In fact, Kiffin noted on more than one occasion this past spring that he wants to see more production from a position that amassed a total of just 26 yards on the ground and 50 yards through the air (all by Vainuku) in 2012. If either Vainuku or Pinner can eventually step into that role this fall as a potential offensive threat coming out of the backfield, it would add a whole new dimension to the USC offense.

USC coach Lane Kiffin has made it clear that he wants to instill an increased physical presence in the USC offense in 2013, and a key factor in doing that will be an emphasis on a power run game.

For longtime USC fans, this is music to their ears. The Trojans offense in recent years, while certainly capable of putting up points and yards in bunches, has seen a reduction in the reliance on the philosophy of “big man on big man football.”

It was legendary USC player and coach Marv Goux who made that statement popular, reflecting the tough, blue collar image that defined USC football through the years. USC was known as “Tailback U” for a reason with a seemingly endless supply of quality tailbacks and a pipeline of offensive linemen that were destined for the NFL. It was a pretty good formula that served USC well for a long time.

In recent years, however, the balance of the USC offensive identity has shifted to feature the passing game more. Kiffin has a background as a quarterback who later coached wide receivers, so it’s no secret that he likes to throw the ball around. But Kiffin has always maintained that he wants to have a balanced offense that starts with the run game. You only have to look back as far as LenDale White and Reggie Bush to see how well that can work.

In his first season as head coach of the Trojans, Kiffin did run the ball more than he threw it -- 477 rush attempts to 453 passes. The last two seasons have trended the other direction; 392 rush attempts in both 2011 and 2012 compared to 447 passes in 2011 and 461 in 2012.

A case can certainly be made for throwing a little more when you have Matt Barkley, Robert Woods and Marqise Lee. But as the Trojans look back at 2012, it’s clear that a toughness mindset was missing when it came to running the football. It’s not that the Trojans didn’t run the ball well -- they averaged a solid 5.0 yards per attempt -- but they weren’t able to control the ball on the ground when they needed to. That is the danger when you get away from running the ball -- you can’t always go back to it when you really need it.

Running the football is a mentality as much as anything. It takes a commitment that starts with the play calling but ultimately rests with the players, which bodes well for the Trojans in 2013. The USC running back stable is deep and talented -- Kiffin calls it the best overall RB group he’s had at USC -- and it appears ready to go if called upon.

The leader of the group will likely be Silas Redd, the senior transfer from Penn State who led the Trojans in rushing last season. If there is one thing Redd proved in 2012, it’s that he’s a tough runner. That should come as no surprise considering his background in the Big Ten, but his physical running style was also reminiscent of USC running backs from the past. Redd underwent surgery on a torn meniscus during spring ball but is expected to be back for fall camp.

Assuming Redd is the lead ballcarrier, the competition for the primary backup spot is wide open. Right now there would be three primary candidates; Tre Madden, Justin Davis and D.J. Morgan. Madden and Morgan have battled injuries in their USC careers but each possess the kind of skills which could allow them to break out. Madden brings a power game at 225 pounds while Morgan is the speediest of the backs. Davis opened a lot of eyes in spring ball as an early enrollee with a smooth and weaving style of running that was very effective.

There will be others in the mix, as Javorius Allen was much improved this spring and Ty Isaac will arrive this fall bringing a physical element with his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame.

On top of that, the Trojans have a pair of fullbacks in Soma Vainuku and Jahleel Pinner who will be entering their sophomore seasons while the offensive line features a veteran starting lineup and a new coach in Mike Summers who preaches toughness in the run game.

The ability to run the football as part of the offensive identity will only be one part of the Trojans' offense in 2013, but it might be the most telling in terms of overall success.

A look at nine positions marked by competition this offseason at USC.

Quarterback

Cody Kessler, Max Wittek and Max Browne all had their moments this past spring, but after 15 workouts, USC head coach Lane Kiffin decided that this was a battle that simply needed more time. It was Kessler, right from the get-go, who made the biggest statement with his play, most notably in the scrimmages. Wittek suffered a MCL sprain that caused him to miss a week of workouts, but with tremendous physical skills, he showed enough when he was healthy to keep this competition too close to call. Showing flashes of the talent that made him such a prized commodity coming out of high school, Browne isn’t out if it yet, either, and there’s no telling how far he just might take his game in the coming weeks. And that goes for all three quarterbacks, because with almost three months remaining until the start of fall camp, how they develop this summer will play a key part in determining who will ultimately line up behind center in 2013.

Cornerback

With Nickell Robey declaring early for the NFL draft and Josh Shaw making the move back to safety, the Trojans entered spring ball needing to find two new starting cornerbacks. On the post-spring depth chart, Anthony Brown was listed first on one side, with Torin Harris and Kevon Seymour sharing the other. But with Kiffin openly expressing his disappointment with the performance of this unit, it’s safe to say that both starting jobs remain open for the taking, with Chris Hawkins, Devian Shelton and Ryan Henderson also factoring into the conversation. Additionally, there’s a very real possibility that Shaw will switch back over to cornerback, where he started seven games in 2012. He’s still been lining up at safety during the offseason throwing sessions, though. Kiffin has also opened up the possibility of using star receivers Marqise Lee and Nelson Agholor here.

Safety

Taking the place of three-year starters T.J. McDonald and Jawanza Starling -- now in the NFL -- for the majority of the spring was Shaw at strong safety and Demetrius Wright at free safety. Two impressive veteran athletes, both ultimately wound up sharing the top spot at their respective positions on the post-spring depth chart with a couple of early entrant freshmen who made a lightning-quick transition to the college game in strong safety Su'a Cravens and free safety Leon McQuay III. Complicating matters further, Dion Bailey and Gerald Bowman are set to return later this summer from injury, and both figure to challenge for a starting role -- particularly Bailey, who will make the transition from linebacker to strong safety. With so much talent, the potential move of Shaw back over to cornerback certainly makes sense on a number of levels.

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To say that this past week has been big for Tre Madden would be an understatement.

From the Trojans’ first players-only passing session of the winter on Tuesday to the first coaches-led conditioning workout on Thursday, the rising redshirt sophomore running back showcased hints of the power and speed that helped make him the story of last spring -- until he went down with an injury in April.

He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that would require surgery, forcing Madden -- who lined up at linebacker as a freshman -- to miss the entire 2012 season.

But after rehabbing and working himself back into shape for the better part of a year, Madden was back in action.

“It feels amazing to be back with the team and running,” Madden said. “Running, especially, I appreciate that a lot more now that I went through everything that I did. I really missed being out on the field. It was hard last year to just be on the sideline and watch.”

And while Madden already looks good to go as a member of the Trojans’ running back corps, every effort is being made to ensure that the former Mission Viejo (Calif.) standout doesn’t jump back into the flow of things a little too soon. It’s precisely for that reason that he still isn’t cleared to participate in the more physical aspects of the upcoming slate of spring practices -- something that isn’t likely to change until the start of fall camp.

“I’m cleared for everything but contact, so I’ll get out there, catch balls, run routes and get the offense down,” Madden said.

Still, after all that he’s been through, the fact he’s simply taking part in any drills this winter and spring is impressive and reason for optimism when it comes to his potential impact in 2013.

Set to join Silas Redd, D.J. Morgan, Javorious Allen as well as incoming freshmen Justin Davis and Ty Isaac, Madden figures to be a key component of a much deeper USC running back unit than the 2012 version.

“We’ve got a lot of guys with specific talents, and we know that our coaches are going to use us to the best of our abilities and help the team,” Madden said.

Davis, who is enrolled at USC and taking part in team workouts, has already made a positive impression on Madden.

“He’s a great athlete, a hard worker,” Madden said. “He doesn’t talk too much, but that’s good as a freshman. He just wants to learn from everyone and work hard. He just puts his head to work and goes out there.”

But not everything has gone smoothly for the USC running backs this offseason. It was less than two weeks ago that they learned of the departure of their position coach, Kennedy Polamalu. And while the loss of one of the most respected members of the staff has affected each member of the unit, Madden is intent on staying focused, and also eager to meet the replacement, who’s expected to be named soon.

“We’re going to miss Coach Polamalu, but we’re not focused on what we’re missing -- we’re focused on getting ready to meet our new coach on Sunday, and to keep getting out here and working,” Madden said.

With that determined mindset, it’s no wonder Madden’s road to recovery has taken him full circle. And to be sure, no one is more appreciative than he is.

“I’m very thankful,” Madden said. “I’m blessed to be able to still play football. It really opened my eyes. I appreciate every play now, every opportunity to work out, to be out here with the team, to be at SC and to be on the field. It’s a great opportunity.”

The USC football program received some surprising news in recent days when it was announced that Kennedy Polamalu was released from the staff.

Polamalu was a popular running backs coach -- he also held the title of offensive coordinator but did not call plays -- who was in his second coaching stint with the Trojans. He had a reputation as a coach who cared about his players and preached a physical style of football while also having the credibility of being a former USC player who had coaching experience in the NFL.

To say that the loss of Polamalu from the staff was a shock to the players he had coached would be an understatement. As word began to spread over the weekend that Polamalu was gone, many of the players took to their Twitter accounts to voice their thoughts and support:

• “Not only did we lose the best coach, we lost the only Trojan who was on staff. Real sad day” -- fullback Soma Vainuku (@somavainuku)
• “Disappointed” -- recent tailback signee Ty Isaac (@TyIsaac)
• “U dont get rid of coach P now how ignorant was that smh he is the best coach there” -- former tailback Stafon Johnson (@stafonjohnson26)
• “Now why would they do that smh” – former wide receiver Robert Woods (@robertwoods)

Part of the reason that Polamalu struck a chord with so many players is because of his deep USC ties. The school represented so much in his life after coming to the United States from American Samoa at age 12 as a young man who did not speak English. Yet five years later he was student body president at Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei with a football scholarship to USC.

Polamalu was a hard-nosed fullback for the Trojans from 1982-85. He was part of the 1985 Rose Bowl title team and had career totals of 681 rushing yards (he never lost a yard carrying the ball) along with 23 receptions and a 65-yard touchdown pass. Polamalu earned his bachelor’s degree in history from USC in 1987.

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On a day that perhaps will be remembered more for the signatures the USC staff didn't secure than the ones it did, an upbeat Lane Kiffin took center stage inside the John McKay Center on Wednesday night to officially announce the Trojans' 2013 signing class.

With a total of 13 members comprising the group, it's a class low in numbers but rich in talent, with 12 ranking in the ESPN 300 -- almost all of whom will be counted on to make an immediate contribution on the field for the Trojans.

"A very exciting day for USC football as we welcome 13 new guys into our program," Kiffin said. "We think that these players can come in right away and help us -- all of them. And probably a couple of them will start. Obviously, we have some holes to fill, but they are impact players and players that could have gone anywhere in the country."

Spearheading the class is a standout group of seven players already enrolled in school and set to participate in spring drills in March. They are Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian Academy defensive lineman Kenny Bigelow, Sammamish (Wash.) Skyline quarterback Max Browne, Stockton (Calif.) Lincoln running back Justin Davis, Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta safety Su'a Cravens, Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) cornerback Chris Hawkins, Seffner (Fla.) Armwood safety Leon McQuay III and Carson (Calif.) wide receiver Darreus Rogers.

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