John Plattenburg on Wuerffel Watch List and More USC Football News

Safety John Plattenburg was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for 2016. Plus a round up of USC football news from around the web.

Can’t get enough USC football and basketball news? We’ve got your morning dose of all the best content from around the web concerning the men of Troy.

1st & 10:

First Word… USC safety John Plattenburg was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for 2016 as one of 88 players who will compete to be honored for exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Plattenburg has started 14 games at safety in two years as a Trojan, with 66 tackles and two interceptions in his career. He is expected to compete for a starting job this season.

Last year Plattenburg won USC’s Community Service Award. He’s also been nominated for the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team as a player who has made a commitment to service and enriching the lives of others.

Aside from Plattenburg, a number of other Pac-12 players were named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list, including Arizona State’s Vilami “Laiu” Moeakiola, Cal’s Jack Austin, Colorado’s Sefo Liufau and Zach Golditch and Oregon State’s Ryan Nall.

Matt Barkley won the award in 2012 after being named a finalist in 2011. He is USC’s only winner in the award’s history going back to 2005.

And Ten USC Football and Basketball News Links…

1. “USC football will try to win the Helton way” (LA Times)If you read just one thing this offseason, it should be Zach Helfand’s profile of the Helton family — Clay, his brother Tyson and their father Kim, whose philosophies shaped his sons.
2. “Unwrapping the New 2016 USC Football Media Guide” (Reign of Troy)What were the big takeaways from USC’s newest media guide? The Trojans have a better win record in election years when the Republican candidate wins. Plus no word on Stevie Tu’ikolovatu.
3. “How Can Adoree’ Jackson Win the Heisman Trophy?” (Reign of Troy)What would it take for Jackson to win the Heisman? If Charles Woodson’s example teaches us anything, it’s not about stats — which Jackson already has — it’s about big moments in the right games.
4. “USC’s Zach Banner is a big man with big expectations” (CBS Sports)Dan Brugler profiled Banner as an NFL draft prospect, noting his enormous size and athleticism but questioning his mental focus and consistency, which will ultimately determine his draft grade.
5. “Tight ends take it up a notch — or 3 — for Trojans” (USCFootball.com)USC’s tight ends feel a greater level of trust in the offense, and expect to be much more utilized, as detailed by Dan Weber.
6. “JuJu Smith-Schuster Named to Biletnikoff Watch List” (Reign of Troy)Unsurprisingly, Smith-Schuster made the Biletnikoff watch list for 2016. He was a semi-finalist last year.
7. “Media day questions for the Pac-12 South” (ESPN)Kyle Bonagura has questions that will and should be asked at Media Days for each Pac-12 school. When it comes to USC he thinks media will ask about expectations for a tough schedule. But says they should ask about what didn’t work in the Kiffin and Sark eras and what Clay Helton will do better.
8. “Key questions for the teams before Media Days” (Daily News)In a similar vein, Thuc Nhi Nguyen wonders what USC’s defensive line will look like while offering questions for all the other programs in the conference.
9. “Cam Robinson, Hootie Jones Likely to Play vs. USC” (Reign of Troy)News out of SEC Media Days Wednesday included word from Nick Saban that Cam Robinson and Hootie Jones will not be suspended against USC so long as they stay out of trouble for the rest of the offseason. They had been arrested in May on gun and drug charges, which were dropped.
10. “Predicting Every College GameDay Stop for 2016” (Bleacher Report)David Kenyon predicts that College GameDay will be on hand for USC’s Week 12 tilt with UCLA

Stat of the Day:

USC is 3-0 in dome stadiums all-time. The Trojans will face Alabama in the domed AT&T Stadium in Arlington in September.

Social Media Snapshot: