USC Trojans

The Trojans wrapped up the second week of spring ball with a scrimmage at the Coliseum that featured a strong performance from the defensive front.

“I really thought the front seven on the first-unit defense played well,” USC coach Lane Kiffin said. “Hayes Pullard played great at linebacker while George Uko and Leonard Williams were dominant up front. The defense is really picking things up with the new scheme. I can’t imagine being more pleased.”

Pullard led the way for the defense with six tackles, including one for loss, while Kenny Bigelow added two sacks and Anthony Sarao had four tackles.

The offense was led by Cody Kessler, who continues to split time with Max Browne while Max Wittek is out with a knee injury. Kessler (13-19, 161 yards, one TD) provided the highlight play of the day with a 75-yard touchdown strike to Nelson Agholor while Browne (6-9, 69 yards) added a big play of his own with a 52-yard completion to Darreus Rogers. Buck Allen was the top rusher on the day with 11 carries for 65 yards.

“Kessler played great today,” Kiffin said. “He just continues to make plays. I thought Buck had a good day, too. He’s had a good camp overall.”

Kiffin confirmed that the injury to Wittek – who is expected to return to the field when the team comes back from spring break on March 26 – likely means that the quarterback competition will not be settled by the end of spring.

(Read full post)

It’s easy to notice the upbeat style of play through the first two days of USC spring ball, and it was evident on Thursday with a team drill that featured some explosive plays from the offense.

The team drill started off strong for the defense, as the offense was backed up near its own goal line on the south end of Brian Kennedy-Howard Jones Field, and the defense had some stops, led by the interior front with Antwaun Woods, George Uko and Leonard Williams.

After the offense switched to the north end of the field, however, things began to change. Max Wittek hit Nelson Agholor for a short gain, and Agholor showed his burst of speed to outrun the secondary and make it a long gain. With the ball placed again deep in the offense's end, Silas Redd took a handoff and went 85 yards down the left sideline before being driven out at the 10-yard line by Kevon Seymour.

(Read full post)

The Scouts Inc. crew looks at early enrollees who could make an immediate impact in college, headlined by a pair of USC defensive backs.

The spring practice schedule has been released for USC, and it includes eight sessions that will be open to the public.

The dates for practice are:
March 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 26, 28, 30
April 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13

The start times each Tuesday and Thursday are 4 p.m. on campus, Saturdays at the Coliseum (3/9 at 2 p.m., 3/16 at 9 a.m., 3/30 and 4/6 at 11 a.m. in Coliseum). These are subject to change.

USC practices in recent years have been closed due to NCAA-sanction-related issues, but the Trojans will open up eight practices this spring with a viewing area designated in the Dedeaux Field plaza area for 200 fans per day. Practices on March 5, 7, 9, 14, 26, 28 and April 4, 9 and 11 will be open to the public.

The USC spring game will be held on Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. in the Coliseum.

USC’s annual pro day workout for NFL scouts is March 27.

WeAreSC's Blair Angulo took questions on Twitter on Tuesday night from the @WeAreSCstaff handle. Here's the complete recap.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- After four prospects decommitted from the USC Trojans since the beginning of November, the Trojans have finally got some good news as ESPN 150 safety Leon McQuay III (Seffner, Fla./Armwood) verbally committed to USC tonight during the Under Armour All-America Game.

The 6-foot-2, 183-pound four-star athlete selected the Trojans over Florida State, Oregon, Vanderbilt and Michigan.

As a senior, McQuay totaled 54 tackles and five interceptions on defense. He also added five receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown on offense.

McQuay, the nation’s No. 3 safety and a starter in Friday's UA Game, is expected to enroll early at USC and be eligible to play spring football.

With McQuay's decision, the Trojans have 15 verbal commitments, including 10 who are members of the ESPN 150. Each of the 15 commitments is ranked as a four-star or higher.

WeAreSC's Joe Andras was on hand for Notre Dame's 22-13 win over the Trojans and captured the game's best moments.

Click here for the entire gallery.

WeAreSC's Garry Paskwietz talks about Matt Barkley's up-and-down senior campaign.