USC football Spring Camp notes: Greg Johnson returns (3/7)

Cornerback Greg Johnson was back on the practice field for USC football as the Trojans kicked off Day 2 of Spring Camp on Thursday.

USC football’s turbulent offseason stretched right up to the start of Spring Camp when Velus Jones Jr. and Greg Johnson opted to put their names in the transfer portal.

By Thursday, the word on both was far more positive than it had seemed.

CHECK OUT: How did the Trojans fare at the NFL Combine?

While Michael Pittman’s comments about how Velus Jones Jr. is “not out the door yet,” perked up ears on Tuesday, the Trojans got an even more encouraging sign from Johnson on Thursday. The redshirt sophomore cornerback was present and dressed for practice on Howard Jones Field.

The Trojans could certainly use his presence. On Tuesday they practiced with just three scholarship cornerbacks, and one of those, Dominic Davis, is limited by injury.

MORE: Secondary depth to impact contact periods

Johnson made it four on Thursday, though that too was short-lived. Freshman Briton Allen, who was one of the stars of Day 1, came up injured after breaking up a pass intended for Michael Pittman in the 1-on-1 goal line segment. He sat out the remainder of practice, ensuring plenty of reps for Johnson, who is himself limited by last season’s shoulder injury.

“It definitely helps,” defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said of Johnson’s return. “We have a few guys coming in the fall but we’ve got to get through the spring.”

Head coach Clay Helton confirmed that Johnson was in the transfer portal on Tuesday, but it is not known if he remains inside.

TRENDING: Helton has the right priorities for USC Spring Camp

Either way, his decision to suit up lends credence to the idea that he is open to a full return for the Trojans. Helton was not available to the media on Thursday to clarify, but he will be able to update Johnson’s situation on Saturday.

Even with Johnson available to practice, USC’s depth problems in the secondary were once again on display.

However, Pendergast opted to look on the bright side, with players like Isaac Taylor-Stuart seeing more quality reps than he normally would have been afforded. The defensive coordinator praised him for two strong practices so far.

DAY 1 PRACTICE NOTES: Change takes center stage

Helton suggested on Tuesday that limited numbers might force USC to give the defensive backs some extra breathers during team segments, and there was at least one timeout in 11-on-11 play on Thursday.

Still Pendergast played down the impact of the thin secondary.

“It’s not going to hold us back at all. We’ve got our menu and we’ll go ahead and install that in the spring and we’ll let it ride,” Pendergast said.

“The good thing is those guys that can’t go full right now, they’re going to be there in the fall,” he added.

Practice standouts

• John Jackson III… The grayshirt wide receiver may have had his number called on Thursday more times than any other pass catcher, particularly during 11-on-11 play.
• Raymond Scott… Scott is still adjusting to his position change at nickelback, but he showed some bright moments in coverage. He nearly nabbed an interception on Matt Fink during the 1-on-1 segment. A short while later, he jumped another Fink pass, completing the pick and running clear across the field with a trail of celebrating teammates.
• JT Daniels… The incumbent starter looked like it on Tuesday, hitting touchdown after touchdown in 1-on-1s then opening the first 11-on-11 period with a long touchdown to walk-on Zach Wilson. He threw the ball accurately and with gusto throughout the day.

Practice tidbits

• Quarterbacks spent some time dunning a drill which involved diving on loose footballs. Fortunately, through two spring practices they haven’t had to do much of that with largely consistent snaps from centers Brett Neilon and Justin Dedich.
• Drake Jack, a walk-on defensive back from De La Salle, delighted his teammates, on defensive at least, by intercepting Kedon Slovis during 7-on-7 play. On the next play, Isaac Taylor-Stuart nearly found himself an interception, but he lost the ball going to the ground. He started push ups in penance right there and then.
• Outside linebacker Juliano Falaniko appeared to get some reps at inside linebacker, suggesting another possible position change this spring.
• Clayton Bradley took first team reps at left tackle in place of Austin Jackson.
• Christian Rector left practice early, leaving Drake Jackson to step into the first team opposite Connor Murphy.

News and notes

• Fired again?… New running backs coach Mike Jinks was brought to USC by Kliff Kingsbury. So when Kingsbury left the Trojans for the NFL, Jinks was in quite an awkward position. Worst of all, he was literally in the process of moving his family to Los Angeles when it happened. They were getting off the plane when his son saw the news and asked him, “Dad, Kliff’s going to Arizona. Did we just get fired again?” He said he couldn’t look his wife in the eyes for about three days: “It was an interesting couple of days there.”
• Just as good as NFL… Why did Jinks ultimately stick with the Trojans? He had discussions with Kingsbury to follow him to the Cardinals but he decided that USC was the opportunity for him. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful to anybody but this job is just as good as any NFL job,” he said. Getting to know Helton over three weeks of recruiting for the Trojans also gave him the right sense to stay.
• The view from above… Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell spends part of practice up on the deck of Dedeaux field calling in plays with a headset. It wasn’t his idea, he says, but it gives him and players a good simulation of game conditions. The players don’t have the safety net of looking around for help every rep while the coaches get the chance to settle into the mechanic of the playcalling.
• Pulling hair… Harrell admitted the tempo of practice so far has had him pulling his hair out because “I’m used to seeing three years in, instead of two days in. But considering it’s two days, these guys are doing great things.”
• Somebody lied… Adjusting to life in California hasn’t been difficult for Harrell, but he did have some things to say about the mythical Los Angeles weather. “One thing, they lied to me. They said it rained like 10 times a year and it’s rained 15 since I’ve been here,” he joked. “Besides being lied to on that, it’s been pretty nice when the sun’s out. You know, what y’all call rain is a drizzle in Texas.”