London will play big, evolving role
Looking back on the talented young USC wideouts he’s coached, Clay Helton can remember the moments when everything f inally clicked. For Robert Woods, it took all of one game. For Nelson Agholor, it took until the seventh week of his freshman season, when he reeled in 162 yards in a loss to Oregon.
For Drake London, that moment arrived in a clutch seven- catch performance in Colorado last season. The freshman caught a touchdown in each of the Trojans’ five remaining games, trailing only Michael Pittman Jr. in yards receiving during the season’s second half.
“Everything slowed down for Drake,” Helton said. “You could see it in his eyes.”
On the doorstep of his sophomore season, a more confident London has that gaze trained on an even bigger breakout campaign. He spent his quarantined summer focused on getting faster, playing more physically and tightening up his route running. He studied Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans — for his physicality — and New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas — for his hands.
During the f irst week of training camp, USC’s coaches say the results have been apparent.
“Drake London is as talented a player as I’ve been around,” offensive coordinator Graham Harrell said. “If we want to win at the level that we think we’re capable of winning at this year, he’s going to play a large role in that.”
Exactly how that role might evolve remains to be seen. The 6- foot- 5, 210- pound London has lined up primarily in the slot during camp, and on Wednesday, Harrell said his ability to exploit matchups from that spot was comparable to “elite tight ends in the NFL.”
“If you put someone small on him he can manhandle them, and he’s just bigger,” Harrell said. “And if you put someone big on him, he’s too athletic.”
London won’t be putting his hand in the dirt as an inline tight end anytime soon, though Harrell believes he could, if called upon. But the versatility he brings as a hybrid option in the slot makes him a vital weapon in an offense that must replace its leading receiver from a season ago.
“He’s going to be a key part of what we do,” Harrell said.
Line battle
In the early stages of its competition along the offensive line, USC has leaned on experience.
At offensive guard, where both spots are up for grabs, that’s given redshirt senior Liam Jimmons and redshirt junior Andrew Vorhees an early advantage. In the f irst week of camp, they’ve combined with Alijah VeraTucker, Jalen McKenzie and Brett Neilon to form a f irst- team unit made up of linemen with at least three years of experience in the program. For Jimmons, though, that experience has amounted to just two starts, the same total as redshirt sophomore Justin Dedich, who’s also competing to start at offensive guard. Redshirt sophomore Liam Douglass, the other guard battling for a starting spot, has played in just three games, with zero starts.
“We have this great blend of upper- level experience and talent,” Helton said, “and right behind it is some young kids who will really be needed this year to contribute.”
Etc.
After dealing with a hamstring injury at the start of training camp, redshirt freshman wideout Bru McCoy has been “cut loose” in practice, Helton said. … Edge rusher Drake Jackson continues to be held out with a hamstring injury. … USC will hold a morning scrimmage at the Coliseum on Saturday, as well as the two following Saturdays, to prepare for its 9 a. m. kickoff against Arizona State on Nov. 7.