“What stood out the most during the first week of fall practices?”
Garry Paskwietz
The performance of Stafon Johnson. There were many USC fans who were convinced that Stafon was going to transfer in the off-season and that we were never going to get a chance to see what kind of player he could turn out to be. Well, it turns out Stafon didn't go anywhere and he came to camp determined to earn a spot in a crowded running back rotation. I wouldn't say he has positioned himself as the starter, Chauncey Washington likely holds that role if a game were to be played tomorrow, but I think Stafon has certainly guaranteed himself one of the top 2-3 spots at this point. He has been the most consistent of the backs thus far in camp and has broken more than his share of big plays.
Brian Matthews
One of the largest surprises of fall camp thus far has to be the play of Stafon Johnson. It was seen a foregone conclusion that the Johnson would transfer following a disappointing freshman year. To his credit, he stuck it out and looks to be playing better then ever.
The largest problem facing this running back group is the lack of touches to go around. The coaches have done a great job in the first week spreading touches and getting each of the backs looks, but come game day, there will only be one ball to go around.
Johnson is not the only player who has surprised so far during camp, as the return of Will Harris has been noted in a major way. Harris has looked great during fall camp, adding to an already stacked depth chart alongside Taylor Mays, Kevin Ellison and a rejuvenated Josh Pinkard.
Harris is reminding people why he was so heavily recruited out of Charter Oak HS, and I look for him to have a solid season following an injury plagued beginning in the cardinal and gold.
Greg Katz
The thing that stood out the most to me in the first week of competition is just that - the competition. This was one of the finest first weeks we have seen to the opening of a season in a long time. There were no "stars" distractions, the team chemistry looked very good, and there seemed to be a real sense of "mission."
If there was one area that stood out to me, it would be the tailback competition. Not one of the tailbacks looked like they weren't bringing it every play. The competition is so delightfully fierce that you actually find yourself appreciating all of them, and all of them seem to have improved their game, especially the sophomores, who seem to understand how, when, and where to hit the whole. In the first week, nobody has shown more of these qualities than Allen Bradford and Emmanuel Moody. To be objective about this thing, you would have to include Stafon Johnson, whose only shortcomings would be to continue to hold on to the ball and keep his emotions in check. The "other" tailbacks have looked good as well, and the only real disappointment has been the health of Hershel Dennis, who has unable to compete due to injury."
Erik McKinney
For me, it’s a tie between the defense and the freshmen.
I know it’s still early in fall practice and the defense is supposed to be ahead of the offense, but at this point, it truly looks like the first-team Trojan defense could pitch shutouts against four or five opponents this season. There is absolutely nowhere to attack them and as long as the game is still in doubt, simply getting into double digits against USC will be an accomplishment in itself. Josh Pinkard at cornerback gives the Trojans the three best safeties in the Pac-10 on the field at all times, to go along with one of the best corners in the conference, the best linebacking corps in the nation and quite possibly the best defensive line in the country. It’s flat-out ridiculous and I can’t wait until that defense takes the field this fall and whips the Coliseum crowd into a frenzy.
The freshmen have also been something to watch during the first week. I’ve always felt that Pete Carroll’s philosophy of letting freshman play wouldn’t be able to stay true as the years progressed. It just seemed that, after four or five seasons of unbelievable recruiting, the upperclassmen simply wouldn’t be beaten out by newcomers. But this season, even though there probably won’t be any true “starting” freshman, more than a handful of them should see some significant minutes.
Joe McKnight will probably have an entire package dedicated to him for each game in an attempt to get him the ball in the open field. Ronald Johnson has impressed as a receiver and could be the Trojans’ kick returner come September. Everson Griffen should be the first defensive end off the bench this season, and could end up starting at some point this season. Chris Galippo might end up on every special teams unit and could get some playing time at linebacker as well, depending on Luthur Brown’s health. Malcolm Smith played extremely well during Sunday’s scrimmage and could be ready to contribute this season. Broderick Green looks like he’ll be given every opportunity to become the Trojans’ goal line back this season (at least so far). And Jordan Campbell should help out the fullback position in a big way. All of this just goes to show you (or me) that Carroll’s philosophy will always be true because of the caliber of athlete he brings in every season. Every season, a huge number of true freshman end up playing and contributing. This year should be no different.
