USC football looking for good health, good luck along defensive line - OCRegister

LOS ANGELES — USC opened its football training camp on Friday, the first of 25 practices as the Trojans prepare for the 2021 season. It was a toe-in-the-water type of day, as the players went through drills and some 11-on-11, but still must wait to get through the mandatory adjustment period before going into full contact.

Head coach Clay Helton was full of the same optimism that any coach feels this time of year, when all teams are undefeated and rosters are reinforced by transfers and freshman classes.

But even amid that optimism, Helton gave a reality check when it comes to the defensive line and its depth.

“It’s a talented group. We’re going to need to stay healthy there,” Helton said. “It’s going to be physical practices for them. They’re going to get what they need, but we’re also going to need some luck. So all of y’all pray.”

A spring Achilles tear for Brandon Pili and the surprise transfer of freshman Jay Toia to UCLA left the Trojans with little room for injury along the defensive line.

USC returns starting defensive end Nick Figueroa, who broke out in 2020 with 3½ sacks and a team-high seven tackles for loss. And Tuli Tuipulotu had a strong spring and figures to start this season. But behind them are players with little experience, with redshirt freshman Jamar Sekona rounding out the starting line early in Friday’s practice.

One lineman USC would like to see back in full action soon is Alabama transfer Ishmael Sopsher. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound tackle missed spring football following compartment syndrome surgery. But he was able to do individual drills on Friday, a starting point.

“It’s really about his cardio and he’s worked hard on that,” Helton said. “We’ll take slow steps. The reality is it’s probably further down the line for getting him actual practice reps.”

Helton estimates that while most position groups are about 3-to-4 deep entering camp, the defensive line only has 2½ true units at this point. That means the Trojans will need help from true freshmen like Korey Foreman.

The top-rated recruit in the nation out of Corona Centennial, Foreman enrolled during the summer, missing spring practices. During spring, defensive line coach Vic So’oto said that Foreman would have ground to make up. Figueroa was helping Foreman learn the ropes during his first true practice as a Trojan.

“It’s going to be how fast does he learn the system and get comfortable within the system? Obviously, you see some of the things that he does out here, he’s got talent. His first step is deep, he gets on top of the tackle and springs him quickly,” Helton said. “We’ll need all of them, to be honest with you. And the faster we bring him along, the better team we’re going to be because he’s going to have to help us this year.”

BRIEFLY

Cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart was absent from the first day of camp as he was away with his family after the birth of his first child, a baby girl. Outside linebacker Drake Jackson also missed practice due to health and safety protocols, but Helton said the junior is expected back early next week.

Adblock test (Why?)

"looking" - Google News
August 07, 2021 at 09:22AM
https://ift.tt/2VzWumC

USC football looking for good health, good luck along defensive line - OCRegister
"looking" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2tdCiJt
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Bagikan Berita Ini