USC Football Quotes: Players React to Day 2 of Fall Camp (8/5)

USC football’s fall camp continued Friday with less hubbub but more action. Here’s what the Trojans had to say about Day 2 of camp.

Day 2 of USC football action at fall camp saw the Trojan defense continue to shine while the offense continues to sort out their issues.

With defensive players on deck, there was talk of the changing scheme, coaching staff and much more. Here’s what they said to the media about Day 2.

Iman Marshall:

On the start of fall camp…

It’s just an aggressive atmosphere all the way around from the offensive line being after our guys, the offense getting after our guys, the defense getting after the offense. So that’s all we’re out here trying to do, just get eachother better. Just like we say, iron sharpens iron.

On the new scheme…

We’re just playing football. That’s all I can say. It’s really not what they’re doing different, we’re just playing football. And doing what we do best.

Chris Hawkins:

On the start of fall camp…

We’re pretty fresh. First week of camp is always pretty good for the defense while offenses work on their little kinks. We’re running around, flying around doing what we have to do. So I think we’re pretty good right now.

On the return of Clancy Pendergast…

Clancy was here when I was here before. He was one of my favorite coaches I’ve ever had. Now I’m back under his wing again but now I’m playing the safety position, the quarterback of the defense. I feel like the sky is the limit for us. We’ve got a great group of DBs and Coach Bradford is a great coach so I think we’re going to get after it this year.

On Alabama looming…

I’m just trying to focus on what we gotta do here. Looking at Alabama which is a month away isn’t going to do anything for us right now. When the time comes, when we’re two weeks out, then we can start easing our way into Alabama. Right now we just focus on us, installing the defense, helping the freshmen get all their reps, so Alabama is a while away from now.

On getting better as a safety…

When I moved over to safety I was pretty raw. My angles and everything wasn’t correct. Now I feel like I’ve been working on my angles and football is all about angles, especially at the safety position where you’re coming from 15 yards deep. You must have a great angle so you don’t get cut back on and let the running back score a touchdown. I’ve been working on my angles. I’ve gotten faster, stronger. I’m feeling good right now.

Cameron Smith:

On being back…

I felt comfortable today in the first live period. I felt like I was moving around, seeing things pretty well. It was good to be back for sure…I’m cleared, they’re just getting me back in the rhythm and getting me back going again…I would say I’m 100%….I feel great. I’m just trying not to worry about it as much as possible, get it out of my head and go play football.

On the speed of his recovery…

Everyone’s different. That’s what I’ve been told this whole process. Everyone is different and everyone recovers differently so when I got the go, it was alright, I’m ready. I felt confident in my knee and people I was working with so I’m happy and excited to be back.

On the new scheme…

I’d say it’s a little more simple. There’s not ‘if this, then that.’ It’s ‘there, there’ and this is what we’re going to run. Nothing wrong with either defense. I liked playing in both. Both are great schemes. We just gotta keep getting better and work the techniques and we’ll be good…It’s more gap oriented. It’s not zone, sitting around in wait and see. You’ve got your gap, see it and hit it. That’s probably the main difference.

On being a leader…

I feel very comfortable leading, voicing my opinion and taking control. I feel very comfortable taking that lead role. It’s not something you can give to yourself, it’s something that you earn and people feel comfortable listening to you. As fall goes on we’ll see who ends up taking that role. The middle of the defense is always where a leader comes from but we’ll see what happens.

On being more aggressive…

Coach P is voicing that. We need everyone running to the ball and we want to show our opponents that we fly around, we run around. That’s the main focus right now. We’ve got to keep getting comfortable out here and running to the ball and fly around.

Adoree’ Jackson:

On the defense shaking off the rust…

I feel like we did. When you got to camp defense is always on a little grade because the offense is still getting used to the quarterback, still getting used to the plays so it’s really essential for the defense and DBs to get everything ready and go gain momentum because when they do hit a rhythm they do get quicker and you know it’s going to be a different story.

On his practice interception…

I was just looking at the splits. That’s one of the things they teach you a lot. Work on splits, work on leverage, reading the three-man step. For me I was just reading that and I seen Max was getting ready to throw it. I looked back at JuJu to make sure I got my eyes on him to make sure he wasn’t double moving. And it just worked out perfectly. I got a step in front and got an interception.

On increasing his interception totals…

I’m just focused on technique and doing everything right so at the end of the day interceptions are going to come. I had a whole bunch freshman year and sophomore year I just didn’t take advantage of them. It’s just dropped balls out there. This time it’s just about me taking chances and taking care of my opportunities. As a DB you don’t get many, so when they do come to you, you gotta take advantage of that.

On progressing this year…

I’m just trying to be the best corner I can be for this team, in the Pac-12 and obviously in the nation. So at the end of the day I’m working on trying to be the best athlete on the field at all times. When I’m on the defensive side I want to be the best athlete on defense, offense and special teams wherever I may be. I want people to see me as a technician and know that I’m out here working on getting better at my craft.

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On Coach Baxter…

I’m happy with Coach Baxter and the decisions he’s making out there on punt return, kick return, everything in the scheme. I know I can trust him. I mean, he want to Michigan, number one special teams in the country after Week 8. So at the end of the day, he knows what he’s talking about and everybody looks attentive and wants to play for him. Everybody’s coming up to me going, ‘you gonna score a lot’ just based on what he’s telling them. We haven’t even been out on the field practicing but everybody has that trust and faith in him. So if they believe in him and what he’s teaching them then I know that I don’t have to worry about my brothers out there on the field blocking for me.

On returning kicks…

I’ll be out there on punt return, kick return and defensive back. Pretty much I’m going to be primary defense. I’m not worried to much. We might get a couple punt returns in a game. Hopefully our defense is doing well enough where I can get a lot. And then kick returns, I don’t want to see many because that means we’re giving up points on the field, so hopefully I just see one a game and do something well.