Spring allows players to shine
Another year of USC football has officially started, with the Trojans a couple practices deep into their spring session. Though spring practice usually doesn’t offer a very accurate preview of the season to come, due to offseason injuries, it does provide a barometer of individual player development.
This year is no different as some key Trojans are sidelined with or limited by injuries, surgery recovery and other non-football related issues. On the defensive line, interior lineman Antwaun Woods is out for the spring, recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. Woods has been a constant presence on the line since he stepped on the field and will be a contributing member when the season starts.
This void leaves the door wide open for younger players to step up and demonstrate their abilities to the coaching staff. Though USC recruited a strong 2015 class across the line, these prospects won’t be suiting up for the Trojans until fall practice. That leaves the door wide open for Trojans like Claude Pelon, Delvon Simmons and Cody Temple to further establish themselves as mainstays on the line.
Additionally, former top-rated line recruit Kenny Bigelow is still limited while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL. Bigelow should be a dominant force when the season starts, wreaking havoc on opposing lines. It would be a huge plus for the Trojans if Pelon or Simmons could emerge this spring as a dynamic bookend to complement Woods and Bigelow when the season starts.
The next level on defense looks even more promising. USC was able to bring in the best linebacker corp in the country from recruiting, one of whom, Cameron Smith, is already enrolled. USC is also benefitting from the return of inside linebacker Lamar Dawson, who was out last season with a torn ACL. Dawson, a strong and athletic inside backer, can help offset the loss of Hayes Pullard to the NFL. Prior to his injury, Dawson displayed flashes of his immense potential and he has picked up where he left off, impressing in early spring workouts.
The team will also be buoyed by the return of Jabari Ruffin, another highly touted local prospect who has suffered through injuries during the early part of his USC career. Ruffin, who played at Downey High School, has the size and speed to be effective as a pass rusher or dropping back into coverage. The combination of Ruffin, Dawson, the new freshmen and the continued development of Anthony Sarao and Su’a Cravens projects the linebackers to be a strength of next year’s team.
The spring session has also been kind to the secondary, with multiple players making statements with their play. Kevon Seymour, who seemingly has been around forever, has starred thus far in spring, making a compelling statement to be a fixture alongside lockdown cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. The Trojans, however, go much deeper than just Seymour though. Both Jonathan Lockett and Chris Hawkins have taken reps in the secondary, with both demonstrating continued improvement from last season.
Having a deep secondary will be important next season, as it appears Jackson will be taking on a more significant role on offense. A threat to score every time he touches the ball, Jackson is too much of an asset to only be deployed once or twice a game. He also happens to be one the best cover cornerbacks in the Pac-12, so having depth behind him on defense acts as an insurance policy from the wear and tear of being an ironman.
On offense, the Trojans are a bit more settled at most positions. Running back Tre Madden is still limited with his lingering toe injury, but fellow tailback Justin Davis is more than capable of picking up the extra reps. The void created by the departure of Nelson Agholor looks to be filled by receiver JuJu Smith, who might already be just as dynamic as Agholor. With more targets next season, Smith could put together a year in 2015 that rivals the best output of Marqise Lee and Robert Woods.
The quarterback position is set with Cody Kessler at the helm, and spring practice has provided reassurance about the future of the position with Max Browne also demonstrating his immense talent. The one question mark will be at tight end with the current absence of Bryce Dixon, who has been held out of practice. Dixon, who had a fine freshman year, and could be used in a similar manner to former Washington Husky standout Austin Seferian-Jenkins, might not be with the Trojans in the fall.
This would be a significant loss for the team, and hopefully he is able to work out whatever issues are keeping him off the field. One player, who might offset some of the loss felt by Dixon, is Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick returning after being ineligible last season.
Cope-Fitzpatrick’s talent has never been in question, and if he continues to get back in the flow of the game and impress with a strong work ethic, he could be the surprise of the spring. If he is able to re-emerge, that would be a truly great spring story.
Jake Davidson is a sophomore majoring in accounting. His column “Davidson’s Direction” runs Mondays.