Second scrimmage storylines
USC second and final scrimmage of camp is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum, where the Trojans will put a bow on 2021 fall camp. There are still two weeks remaining before USC kicks off its season on September 4 against San Jose State and the Trojans will use this coming week as a mock game week before the real thing begins after that.
This scrimmage on Saturday should be an important one for the Trojans, with position battles ongoing and a lot of young players and newcomers trying to carve out spots in the starting lineup and on the depth chart. Here are a few storylines we’ll be watching as we take it in.
Offensive production
Last Saturday in USC’s first scrimmage of fall camp, the offense was not good. There were some high points, with Jaxson Dart getting hot late and throwing three touchdown passes. But overall it wasn’t a great showing for an offense that was clearly a bit hamstrung. Kedon Slovis played sparingly and potential skill position starters in wide receivers Drake London and Gary Bryant Jr. and running back Keaontay Ingram did not play. It’ll be interesting to see how much time Slovis gets on the field and whether the coaches try to get him some extended looks to get into a rhythm with guys. He’s had a good fall camp, so figuring out a way to keep him sharp with enough work but not to overextend him will be key for the next two weeks.
Who’s available
The injury list and number of players participating in rehab stints during practice has grown over the past week and a half. This scrimmage puts an end to fall camp, but the season isn’t kicking off tomorrow, so it doesn’t make sense to rush everybody back just for this. But on the other hand, guys need reps if they’re going to be up to speed for an opening game that promises to be more than an exhibition against an overmatched opponent. Ingram and fellow transfer running back Darwin Barlow have not practiced fully in more than a week and the same goes for Bryant. Running backs Kenan Christon and Brandon Campbell have been able to get extended reps with the transfer out, and perhaps Vavae Malepeai could make another statement this fall that he should be the starter come game time.
On the other side of the ball, defensive end Korey Foreman and cornerback Josh Jackson Jr. suffered injuries this week and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said they’d be smart in how they bring those guys back onto the field to get them ready for the season. It would not be a surprise to see neither participate in contact during the scrimmage. Those are just a few of the guys who have bounced in and out this fall.
Saturday feels like it should be a big day for players to get out there and put their final camp showing on film, so who is able to participate fully will be important.
Offensive line shuffling
This week has been a consistent one for the offensive line, both in terms of performance and structure. The linemen have bounced back from last Saturday’s uneven performance and put together some good outings this week. Courtland Ford has been a mainstay at left tackle with the first team, while Jonah Monheim and Jalen McKenzie have both worked at right tackle. Will there be any shakeup to the interior of the line during the scrimmage, with Justin Dedich potentially getting to go with the first team at guard or center? Offensive line coach Clay McGuire said this week there is still a battle going on in there for starting spots, but Andrew Vorhees, Brett Neilon and Liam Jimmons have been the guys who look like starters.
It’ll also be worth keeping an eye on Mason Murphy, who seems to be getting more and more comfortable taking reps as the second-team left tackle. The expectation is that if USC had to go two-deep at that spot, the second would come from the trio of Ford, McKenzie and Monheim, but Murphy has shown well as a true freshman who wasn’t an early enrollee.
Defensive tackle
Kobe Pepe is back on the field and in full pads, but Stanley Ta’ufo’ou drew praise from the coaches for his play in the middle while Pepe was sidelined. It’s been hugely unfortunate for both the Trojans and Jamar Sekona that he has missed so much of fall camp while being held out due to health and safety protocols. He seemed to have a real shot to grab that starting spot in the middle of the defensive line with his play this past spring and the Trojans without Brandon Pili and Ishmael Sopsher at least for now. Sopsher continues to do more and more during practice and his eventual return could be very significant for USC. The performance of Pepe and Ta’ufo’ou during the scrimmage will be meaningful because those will likely be the only two options in the middle to start the season. USC has size in its defensive ends and the ability to move guys like Tuli Tuipulotu, Nick Figueroa and Jake Lichtenstein around, but getting those true tackles involved and playing well would go a long way.
What receivers step up
Drake London is as much of a guarantee to have a great season as any USC receiver in recent memory. There’s just no way to overstate how good he looks this fall and how difficult he is for guys to cover. But there are questions outside of London. The other receivers have been good, but there doesn’t appear to be a sure thing starter right now. Part of that is likely because Bryant has missed time with a hamstring injury, so whenever he gets back he could slot in there. But it kind of feels a little like a jumble with Tahj Washington, Kyle Ford, John Jackson III, K.D. Nixon, Joseph Manjack IV and Michael Jackson III all somewhat in the mix. Saturday should give something of an indication of who is playing the best right now and which guys will become Slovis’ top targets this season.
The freshmen
This 2021 freshman class looks like it’s going to be really good. The scrimmage should give another hint at which freshmen are going to be counted on to play this season and it could be a fairly lengthy list considering the number of veterans and starters returning from the 2020 team.
Defensive end Korey Foreman is going to have a big role this year, whether or not he plays during the scrimmage. Wide receivers Jackson and Manjack have gotten some first-team run this fall. Kyron Ware-Hudson has missed time due to injury but has gotten back on the field for one on ones of late. Tight end Michael Trigg will have some kind of role while he continues to get comfortable in the offense. He’s too talented to not find something to do with him right now. Safety Calen Bullock is going to be a rotational piece in the secondary and Orlando has already said he’ll have a role this season. Raesjon Davis will have an opportunity to play for a second-team inside linebacker spot. And while the depth chart didn’t look favorable for him coming into camp, Brandon Campbell continues to impress at running back and could factor in as a returner as well.
And quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Miller Moss will again be in the spotlight during the scrimmage as the two freshmen battle to be the top backup this season. Dart had the best day last Saturday, but Moss responded with a nice showing during this past week of practices.
There won’t be any depth chart announcements following the scrimmage. Head coach Clay Helton said those will come the day before the first game. But this is another opportunity for the young guys, and the quarterbacks in particular, to take a step forward in a game-like setting to show they can perform if called upon this season.
Setting the returners
Not having Bryant available means the Trojans have been without probably their best option at kick returner. There is other talent available to the point where USC can find an answer there from a group that includes Tahj Washington, Kenan Christon, Brandon Campbell, Michael Jackson III, K.D. Nixon and others. Nixon might be a guy to watch when it comes to punt returns, as he’s looked comfortable fielding those and provides enough of a return threat to become a weapon there. USC did a chunk of special teams work during the previous scrimmage, so it won’t be surprising to see them do it again during this one. Sean Snyder is looking to get his units ready to roll in order to give the Trojans that special teams advantage that can decide games.
