USC Football: De’Von Flournoy Takes Advantage of George Farmer’s Injury

US PRESSWIRE

Going into camp, the Trojans had plenty of depth at receiver, although the talent behind Robert Woods and Marqise Lee was deemed raw and unproven. Just three days in, junior De’Von Flournoy(right) has started to separate himself as the No. 3 receiver behind Lee, but he’s done so with the help of a hamstring injury to former 5-star athlete George Farmer.

Farmer is the most talented player in the receiving corps other than Woods and Lee, though a hamstring injury has hindered his abilities of showing just how talented he is. He missed most of spring with the injury, and missed time last season as well, even though he was used at times as a tailback by Lane Kiffin.

Farmer told reporters on Wednesday night that he’d be ready to return to the practice field on Thursday, the fourth day of USC’s fall camp. His absence as the favorite has opened the door for receivers behind him, and De’Von Flournoy has taken full advantage, while Nelson Agholor still adapts to the college game and Victor Blackwell has also missed practice.

With Flournoy getting most of the reps in lieu of Farmer, he’s on pace to become this offense’s version of Chris McFoy or Brandon Carswell, as the third option and a check-down position receiver. Flournoy has yet to make a catch in his two seasons with Troy, after redshirting as an incoming freshman back in 2009. Like the three Serra High receivers, Flournoy was a track star in high school, and brings even more speed to Matt Barkley’s arsenal of receivers.

Nelson Agholor, believed by some to be this year’s freshman standout a la Robert Woods and Marqise Lee in years past, is still spinning his tires a bit in the Trojan offense, and that’s to be expected for an incoming freshman. Barkley has said that he’s running good routes, but his inexperience, coupled with the hamstring of Farmer, have cemented Flournoy’s stature as the current leader for the No. 3 role, which Kiffin deemed to be ‘way ahead’ of the others.

Blackwell missed practice on Wednesday in addition to Farmer, but his inconsistency in his reps has pushed him to the outside.

Thursday will be a big day for the Trojans’ receivers, as Robert Woods is expected to get a little bit more time at receiver, and Farmer returns to practice to challenge Flournoy.