Los Angeles, Ca – Full Pads always brings up the intensity, but this SC team kept level heads during today’s practice. It was a good physical practice where both offense & defense competed hard.
Wide Receiver Steven Mitchell Jr. stood out among his fellow wide outs with some great catches. I think the most impressive part was seeing his quick moves after the catch allowing for extra yards. The SC receivers coached by Tee Martin have a deep core group to push each other. Darreus Rodgers also had a few great practices, ending today’s Final Five with a winning post route for a touchdown. The offense came ready for the final Five taking it 3-1.
Coach Sarkisian spoke well of Rodgers, “…shown maturity and good to see him compete, ..put extra time into football and weight room.” When folks can see your off season work it shows a player is focused and dialed in. Coach overall is looking to evaluate the whole team for first 11 practices before making any hard stances. This should be right after full scrimmage, but there will be many others scripted situations for players to compete.
On defense corner back Jalen Jones had back to back interceptions during team segment of practice to shine. Jones being a redshirt walk-on from Serra HS, you always have to work hard to get some attention and that he did. From the defense line adding pressure upfront Antwan Woods has been turning heads from his defense tackle spot. Woods has also been a mentor to fellow DT freshman Jacob Daniels showing him the ropes. Woods happy with the team defense, “Focusing on finishing, attacking and getting negative plays..” These are keys for them to work on and continue to get better.
The whole team will have the day off tomorrow, and coach says they are going to the movies to see Straight Outta Compton. Dr. Dre from the crew N.W.A. aka Andre Young in 2013, he and music mogul Jimmy Iovine donated $70 million to establish the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation.
The last question of the night to coach Sarkisian was from deep field which was his daughter, “What for Dinner?” The Trojans will be back at practice Friday morning back at Howard Jones field.
