USC’s passing and rushing attacks had strong performances in their final full-contact practice ahead of their Week 1 matchup with San Jose State on Saturday. The offensive groups took steps toward solidifying the rotation and answering looming questions about the depth at wide receiver and balance at running back.
“We have a lot of kids with veteran experience,” head coach Clay Helton said of his receiving corps, citing junior star receiver Drake London, redshirt senior transfer K.D. Nixon and redshirt sophomore Tahj Washington.
Each receiver has had significant collegiate success: London had 502 yards on 33 catches with three touchdowns in only six games in 2020; Nixon picked up 1,250 yards on 104 catches with seven touchdowns in his four years at Colorado; and Washington hauled in 43 catches totaling 743 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games at Memphis in 2020.
Helton also mentioned the young talent of freshman receiver Joseph Manjack IV, who has had a strong performance in fall camp and in Tuesday’s practice. Manjack caught three consecutive touchdowns and seemingly won each matchup during one-on-one drills. He looks ready to contribute.
The team also plans to rely more heavily on its tight ends in the passing game than last season, with redshirt sophomore Jude Wolfe standing 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds and redshirt senior Erik Krommenhoek listed at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds. Redshirt junior Malcolm Epps, also at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, looked agile and explosive while route running in his first practice back after missing most of fall camp with a turf toe injury.
And finally, there’s freshman Michael Trigg, who at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds has been one of the main stories from USC’s fall camp. The uber-athletic Trigg has impressed USC’s coaching staff with plenty of highlight-worthy plays throughout camp and figures to play a key role in USC’s Air Raid offensive scheme.
Sophomore wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. was absent from practice and will miss the season opener while in COVID-19 health and safety protocols — but Helton said that the “big creatures” at tight end should help alleviate that loss.
“We will see them involved in the passing game,” Helton said of the tight ends. “Even though we may not have Gary in this game, we feel confident.”
The Trojans’ running back rotation also looked to be taking form. Redshirt senior Vavae Malepeai and senior Keaontay Ingram will shoulder the bulk of the work in the ground game.
“One thing I am really excited about is the running back room,” Helton said. “I think that room … can take some pressure off of 9 [junior quarterback Kedon Slovis].”
Slovis looked sharp in his command of the offense, displaying quick decision-making and pinpoint accuracy during one-on-one and individual drills.
Tuesday’s practice was reassuring for the offense ahead of Saturday’s opener as the team prepares for a tough battle against San Jose State.