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2018 Fall Camp #10: Notes

2018 Fall Camp #10: Notes

The Trojans were in full pads for a physical Tuesday practice.
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Jordan Moore

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USC emphasized the run game during a physical evening session.
  • Sophomore OG Andrew Vorhees will miss the rest of the week to protect his surgically repaired knee, which has "flared up," according to head coach Clay Helton.

  • The full pads gave the running backs a chance to showcase their skills, and senior tailback Aca'Cedric Ware was impressive. Helton was happy with what he saw in the team run portion because he anticipates the offense leaning on the run to "take pressure off a young quarterback" early in the season.

  • Of course, the defense is never happy about conceding yardage, especially in the trenches. "We're getting there. We are not all the way there, but we are getting there," LB John Houston Jr. said about the run defense. "We're just trying to get everybody on the same page."

  • Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast is trying to make it even easier on his unit this season. "We're doing less with our front in terms of having multiple fronts," he explained. "We've trimmed some of the fat off of some of the stuff we were doing, which will allow our guys to play a little faster."

  • There is no shortage of confidence on the defensive side of the ball with so much returning talent. "I think we can be the best defense in the Pac-12, hands down, maybe even in the nation," NT Brandon Pili said. "We've got a lot of depth and we've got a lot of athletes."

  • At 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds, Pili is one of those impressive bodies along the front line. He will be the tip of the spear against the run game. "Eliminating the step against the run defense, just coming straight up my hips, and inside hand placement. And reading blocks. Those are the main things I need to work on, but other than that, I think my run game is pretty good," Pili said.

  • With Pili occupying a double team, Houston and Cameron Smith will have more freedom to attack the ball carrier. Houston, who was fourth on the team with 84 tackles in 2017, is noticeably bigger than last season. "I'm a smarter guy, a more physical guy, just trying to use my knowledge to my advantage," said Houston. "I am just trying to play hard football."

  • Smith and Porter Gustin are expected to be the leaders of this defense, but both are currently sidelined, which may just be a blessing in disguise. "It's allowed to us get some other guys ready," Helton said. "It's really helped our young kids."

  • Helton listed DL Jay Tufele, OLB Hunter Echols, OLB Kana'i Mauga, CB Greg Johnson, LT Austin Jackson and OG Alijah Vera-Tucker as underclassmen who are thriving with increased reps.

  • The head coach continued to single out Tufele for praise on and off the field. He has seen the redshirt freshman improve in the classroom, the weight room and with his nutrition. "He's really becoming a mature soul," Helton said about Tufele. "Everything is right off the field, and then all of the sudden, you put that big body with all that talent and the discipline that he has, and you put it on the field, it pays dividends."

  • USC greats Keith Rivers and Terrell Thomas attended practice.
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