With camp over, attention turns to No. 1 Alabama
When USC’s annual Salute to Troy event concluded Friday evening, it did so quietly, save for a brief salvo of fireworks. Boosters, coaches and families filed out neatly into the cool evening.
The event serves as a sometimes-raucous culmination of training camp. A year ago, it was the site of then-coach Steve Sarkisian’s expletive-laden outburst, the first in a string of public incidents that led to his firing.
This year’s affair ended more than half an hour early, a harmonious conclusion to an unusually calm training camp, particularly by USC’s recent standards.
Coach Clay Helton has navigated past any potential distractions. Every freshman signee reported to camp on time and enrolled in school. Every player was declared academically eligible for the start of the season. Helton announced no new disciplinary actions during training camp.
“These guys have done an incredible amount of work,” Helton said.
Celebrities gravitated to Rams practices, leaving USC’s muted, at least on the sidelines. Jon Gruden, the former NFL coach and current television commentator, stopped by briefly. A few former players trickled in. The biggest celebrity at camp may have been Adoree’ Jackson, and he’s on the team.
USC doesn’t need to create any distractions because its schedule is difficult enough. With training camp over, the Trojans will fix their attention on arguably its toughest opponent, No. 1 Alabama.
“I’m looking forward to it, yes, to be honest with you,” Helton said.
Helton said the coaching staff has been preparing for Alabama for weeks. They will use this week as a mockgame week, with full practices and game preparation Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, mimicking the team’s routine during the season.
The two weeks before the
season opener will also provide an opportunity to coalesce around Max Browne, who was selected the starting quarterback Saturday.
“We can move forward as a team,” safety Chris Hawkins said. “There’s no more guessing.” Depth chart is released
Guessing will still be required at Hawkins’ strong safety position. His was one of three positional battles not resolved when USC released its depth chart Sunday.
Hawkins has split time with Leon McQuay III during practices. Both are listed as possible starters. USC listed two possible starters at left guard, where Damien Mama and Chris Brown have battled for the role. Three players are battling for the two defensive end spots with Rasheem Green being listed as a possible starter at both spots. He is competing with Malik Dorton at one spot and with Noah Jefferson at the other.
Hawkins, last season’s starter, said he wasn’t overly concerned about McQuay’s challenge because he expects USC to play plenty of nickel defense, which would put both on the field at the same time.
“I was injured early,” Hawkins said. “I've been running with the ones the whole camp, but you never really know.” Alabama has quarterback battle
Alabama has had a competition at quarterback that could extend up to the season opener.
Coach Nick Saban is deciding from among Cooper Bateman, Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts.
Bateman was considered the favorite entering camp but Hurts, a freshman, has impressed, and Barnett, from Corona Santiago High, was a five-star recruit.
No matter who starts, USC will have to prepare for a quarterback with little to no college experience.
“There's a lot of unknowns just because we don’t have a lot of film on them,” defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said. “We just have to rely on our scheme.”