USC Fall Camp: Day 13 Recap
By Trenise Ferreira
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
On the 13th day of USC Fall Camp, the Trojans got some good news regarding injuries, though as a whole, the pile continues to mount. WR Marqise Lee did more in practice on Thursday than he did in his return on Wednesday, though he is still in a yellow no-contact jersey. Fellow receivers Nelson Agholor and Darreus Rogers did more in practice today as well. Both of them got reps with the first team, as did De’Von Flournoy.
S Dion Bailey went down with what seemed like an ugly injury in Wednesday’s practice, and on Thursday he stood on the sidelines on crutches. He did not have on a brace or a boot of any kind, and Lane Kiffin told the media after practice that Bailey sustained a hip injury. It looked worse than it actually was, Kiffin said, and added that he will be day-to-day.
Kiffin praised the defensive efforts of OLB Devon Kennard and DL George Uko, saying that “if you want to see someone practice like a champ, watch them.” Of himself, Kennard said he is loving the change to the 5-2 scheme and how natural of a fit he is as a stand-up linebacker in it.
In the right guard battle on the offensive line, Aundrey Walker seemingly got all of the first team reps over John Martinez. This, after switching to the position from left tackle on Wednesday. Chad Wheeler, who really impressed in Walker’s absence at the beginning of fall camp, seems to have locked down the LT position.
The Trojans scrimmage for the second time of fall camp on Friday evening at 5 p.m. at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Kiffin wants to see how Cody Kessler and Max Wittek manage the offense and take care of the ball. As of now, the QB race appears to be neck and neck. The outcome of the scrimmage could go a long way in determining USC’s new starting quarterback. Kiffin said he does not know which of the two will start on Friday, though Kessler did get the first start in the last scrimmage. Kiffin even joked that they would throw darts at a wall to decide who starts.
While the body count continues to mount for USC–20 scholarship guys sat out Thursday–Kiffin did say that the Trojans will tackle in the scrimmage.
Long Beach Poly 2014 athlete John Smith plans to visit USC for the scrimmage tomorrow afternoon, as does his teammate, cornerback Iman Marshall.