USC Athletics

The Trojans were joined by the Spirit of Troy Marching Band during a lively practice on Wednesday.

• USC head coach Clay Helton gave the following injury updates: freshman OL Andrew Vorhees (back, day-to-day), freshman CB Je'Quari Godfrey (quad, pulled early), junior RB Aca'Cedric Ware (hand, pulled early), freshman CB Greg Johnson (shoulder, close to returning), senior DT Kenny Bigelow (knee soreness, day-to-day), sophomore WR Michael Pittman Jr. (ankle sprain, out a few weeks), redshirt freshman WR Velus Jones Jr. (sore foot, might return Saturday).


• The defense had another strong day, tipping a number of balls and intercepting USC's backup QBs. Helton praised redshirt junior CB Ajene Harris especially, for his "football instinctiveness." Helton said Harris, who came to USC as a WR, "seems to pull the trigger so much faster than a lot of guys," because the former wideout can diagnose offense plays so easily.


• Helton also said that sophomore CB Jack Jones is in the mix for a starting corner position, though he still plans to mix him in on offense at some point this season, because "he's so dynamic with the ball in his hands."


• Jones is also in the mix for the kickoff/punt return position that Adoree' Jackson filled last season, alongside Harris and redshirt freshman Velus Jones Jr. Helton explained that because there are different skills involved in returning a kickoff and a punt, it's likely the Trojans will have one player focus on each.


• Aside from Harris, USC's trio of veteran linebackers -- senior Uchenna Nwosu and junior Porter Gustin and Cameron Smith -- have been consistently impressive throughout camp. Gustin "works just as hard as the coaches for the upcoming season," according to Helton.


• Both Gustin and Smith made an effort to improve their flexibility during the offseason. USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast saw this as especially useful for Smith, as he's playing in the middle of the field now. Helton said Smith is in the best shape of his USC career, and described him as "cut from top to bottom."


• Pendergast believes that Nwosu (pictured) is one of the best athletes on the team, and wants to utilize him to maximum effect in his final season. "The position that he's in now, he's really grown over the last [two years]," Pendergast said. "I can only expect him to get better as he starts moving forward through this year."


• Pendergast also praised redshirt sophomore LB John Houston Jr., who's seen an expanded role this camp. He compared him to Arizona Cardinals LB Karlos Dansby, whom Pendergast coached while in the NFL.


• Redshirt freshman PK Michael Brown hit a FG under pressure to close out practice and give the team a night off from meetings.