IMHO Sunday: It’s still early, but speculation has…
In my humble opinion, cardinal and gold thoughts on what I see, what I hear, and what I think from Los Angeles.
It’s still early, but speculation has true freshman Jaxson Dart, who threw three touchdown passes – two from short range – at Saturday’s Coliseum scrimmage, winning the Trojans’ backup competition behind starting All-Pac-12 junior quarterback Kedon Slovis, who played sparingly early at Saturday’s scrimmage. It should be noted that Dart’s main competition, true freshman quarterback Miller Moss, had his moments early, as well, during Saturday’s scrimmage until Dart got untracked and eventually displayed the flashes of brilliance he showed last spring, which means his gunslinger arm and mobility.
It’s still early, but speculation has it that the competition between Jaxson Dart and Miller Moss hasn’t produced conflict, which was confirmed by Moss, who recently said, “Some days I wish I hated Jaxson. It would make it easier. But he’s a really good dude.”
It’s still early, but speculation has been that the defense could be good in 2021, but the offense, specifically the running game, remains a work in progress. In other words, despite missing some frontline players on both sides of the ball during Saturday’s Coli scrimmage, it didn’t change the early speculation concerns.
It’s still early, but speculation has already turned into reality late last week when highly-touted Trojans junior defensive end Drake Jackson – 2020 All-Pac-12 second team, AP All- Pac-12 second team and Phil Steele All-Pac-12 second team – announced to the media that 2021 would be his final season playing for the cardinal and gold. Neither exhibiting a flippant nor snarky comment, Jackson nonchalantly said, “This is my last season. I got to get out of here. I am gonna leave with a bang too.”
IMHO, it was refreshing to hear Drake say now what many other players normally wait to announce following a season’s conclusion. Doing it his way, No. 99 has injected additional self-motivation into himself, which will further impress NFL scouts, who now know his future intentions. Jackson did not participate in Saturday’s Coliseum scrimmage due to having been out recently due to health protocols, which meant he had not participated in the needed number of practices to participate fully in Saturday’s scrimmage.
It’s still early, but speculation has nationally acclaimed Trojans true freshman defensive lineman Korey Foreman playing an increasingly big role on defense as he learns the system of DC Todd Orlando and takes to the D-line coaching of Vic So’oto. That early speculation of high expectations appears to be validating based on Foreman’s impressive performance during Saturday’s Coliseum scrimmage.
It’s still early, but speculation has the top two running backs for the Trojans being Texas transfer Keaontay Ingram backed up by senior Vavae Malepeai. One running back challenger to watch, however, is junior speedster Kenan Christon, who has ground to make up after not participating in spring ball due to his commitment to the USC track team. No question that Christon remains the Trojans fastest back with proven home run ability. The rub, of course, is that normally football coaches don’t exactly embrace players that don’t participate in spring ball. At Saturday’s scrimmage, Kenan showed his speed and had some impressive moments. The favorite to start, senior transfer Keaontay Ingram, was held out due to an ankle issue.
It’s still early, but speculation has Memphis transfer Tahj Washington as the Trojans most explosive receiver outside of Drake London, who BTW was held out of Saturday’s scrimmage. Whether Washington’s early training camp success translates into a starting spot or a high-profile part of the mix, there is no doubt that his top-end speed is an offensive coordinator’s gridiron aphrodisiac. Since his appearance on the scene, coaches have been impressed with Washington’s non-stop motor, and the kid seems to have his head on straight if you listen to his interviews. Saturday’s scrimmage allowed Tahj another opportunity to show what he could do as he did on one beautiful catch and run.
It’s still early, but speculation has redshirt freshman offensive tackle Jonah Monheim starting – perhaps sooner rather than later – at one of the tackle positions. Of course, don’t tell that to incumbent senior right tackle starter Jalen McKenzie, who will fight to the end to retain his spot. It should be noted that Monheim is being given reps at left tackle as well as right tackle, which makes the competition and possible dominoes effect all the more intriguing. During Saturday’s scrimmage, Monheim again displayed that it’s going to be hard to keep him out of the starting lineup at one of the tackle positions.
It’s still early, but speculation has been there is a question of depth issues along the defensive line. Not so, if you listen to D-line coach Vic So’oto this past week. That being said, pay close attention to redshirt freshman tackle Jamar Sekona (6-2, 295) from Fairfax (Calif.) Marin Catholic, who may start opposite of sophomore Tuli Tuipulotu. Of course another name to watch if healthy is redshirt freshman Kobe Pepe (6-2, 310), who is battling Sekona for the starting position. Sekona was not in attendance at Saturday’s scrimmage due to health protocol while Pepe was at the Coli but was held out due to injury rehab.
It’s still early, but speculation has it that true freshman Joseph Manjack lV (6-3, 205), the pride of Tomball (Texas) Memorial High, is one to watch for the present and/or the future. At Saturday’s scrimmage, Manjack continued to make his presence felt and looked like anything but a true freshman.
As a high school senior, Manjack made 2020 All-District 15-6A MVP as a senior wide receiver (37 receptions for 885 yards (23.9 avg) with 13 TDs), quarterback (18-of-33 passes (54.5%) for 349 yards with 3 TDs), returner and punter (10 punts for 410 yards (41.0 avg). And did we mention that he rushed for 869 yards on 60 carries (14.5 avg) with 13 TDs and returned 5 kickoffs for 160 yards (32.0 avg) and had a 20-yard punt return? And he was a 3-star?
It’s still early, but speculation has Trojans senior defensive lineman Nick Figueroa as one of the biggest impact players along the defensive front, which isn’t all too surprising considering that in 2020 the former Cajon High star was All-Pac-12 honorable mention, Phil Steele All-Pac-12 third team, and Pro Football Focus All-Pac-12 honorable mention. IMHO, if Nick can stay healthy, he really could be an impact player.
It’s still early, but speculation has Trojans junior linebacker Raymond Scott in the middle linebacker mix, which actually is a return to Raymond’s original comfort zone after a stellar prep career at local Harbor City Narbonne High. As for Scott’s Trojans’ journey, it seemed as though he was either a man without a true defensive position or a jack of all trades but a master of none. However, it looks like Raymond has found a home at inside linebacker and working on his “master of one.”
It’s still early, but speculation has it that first-year USC director of football sports performance Robert Stiner has made a significant difference if you listen to both players and the coaching staff. To have that type of response from both players and coaches as opposed to past directors in charge of players’ strength and conditioning could be significant. Of course, games will validate Stiner’s work, but things do look initially promising.
From the press box…
A Coli practice reminder: For those that hoped to get more information from Saturday’s practice in the Coliseum, the media was not allowed to report game strategy, formations, plays and statistics, and in-practice live posting or reporting was not allowed. There was also no media interview availability after Saturday’s Coli scrimmage. Other than those restrictions, ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.
The broadcaster: In a tweet from his Twitter, former Trojans’ standout linebacker Su’a Cravens, announced “very excited to be joining the Pregame & Postgame team for @USC_Athletics this Fall! Can’t wait to see how the season unfolds.”
Polling: As you are probably aware, the Trojans are ranked No. 14 in the preseason coaches’ top 25 poll. With the AP poll and the eventual CFP poll yet to be announced, did you ever think that the day would come when the storied Trojans were ranked behind such historical college football powerhouses as Iowa State (No. 8) and Cincinnati (10)?
Polling – Part 2: For those interested, the first national College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 2. In total, there will be six rankings, which also includes the selection show on Sunday, Dec. 5.
Polling – Part 3: As a human-interest polling sidebar, former USC head coach and now first-year Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns are ranked No. 19 while former Trojans head coach and Sark’s best buddy Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss team is No. 25. Let’s not discuss why these Pete Carroll disciples coaching tenures at Troy – to put it mildly – were ill-advised by many from the get-go.
The Training table: The Trojans released a video of a number of players leaving the training table, and as they walked out the door spoke to a videographer of their food preferences. Check it out below.
Light years: According to Trojans first-year offensive line coach Clay McGuire, his unit is “light years” ahead of where his group was last spring, and he has “an unbelievable group of kids.” Certainly, encouraging words from the coach, but USC fans still remain either cautious or skeptical – choose your words wisely – over the expectations for the Trojans’ 2021 offensive line.
Light years – Part 2: In other words, USC fans don’t totally dismiss the early McGuire offensive line optimism, but they’ve heard this all before from McGuire’s coaching predecessors Tim Drevno and Neil Callaway.
Here come the Irish: Well, the future of the USC/Notre Dame rivalry will have a future added twist when Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei receiver C.J. Williams committed to Notre Dame last weekend over the Trojans. It means that USC commit and senior 5-star DB Domani Jackson and his current Mater Dei teammate Williams will battle each other in the future in South Bend and L.A. Both have already expressed great admiration for the other’s skill level when they have had at it at Monarchs practices, so this will be one to follow.
The truth-teller: Speaking to Sirius Pac-12 radio listeners, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said, “I’ll tell you right now, we had nobody, we had zero, declare for the NFL Draft, senior or otherwise. And so, the overriding theme within that group was unfinished business and they want to come back and get that done. And that exactly is the next step in the evolution of this program is to win the Pac-12. I mean what else is there at this point?”
The cheerleader: Former Trojans All-Pac-12 offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, now in training camp as a No 1 draft pick of the New York Jets, has made the viral social media circuit with his inspirational “cheerleading” directed at Jets fans in attendance at training camp in Florham Park, New Jersey. Check it out below.
The post-game show…
Pressing the flesh: One of Clay Helton’s selling points about himself is that he is a gentleman at all times in public. As illustrated below, the coach never misses a chance of accumulating some positive points directed his way when the opportunity presents itself.
Tough news in Tempe: Although once rumored, an ASU spokesman confirmed that wide receivers coach Prentice Gill and defensive backs coach Chris Hawkins, both former Trojans, have joined tight ends coach Adam Breneman on administrative leave due to allegations that the Sun Devils had recruits on campus during the “recruiting dead period”, which was prohibited due to COVID-19 protocols.
Tough news in Tempe – Part 2: If the allegations are true, is it painful for those of us that knew Chris Hawkins from his high school playing days to his Trojans playing days. Say it ain’t so. Chris was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2016 and 2017. As a 2017 senior, he captained the 2017 Trojans and won the team’s Trojan Way Leadership Award, accumulating 88 tackles on the season. Chris was on Trojans teams that played in the 2014 and 2015 Holiday Bowls, 2017 Rose Bowl and 2018 Cotton Bowl.
The ticket game: According to ticket broker StubHub, the cheapest ticket for the Trojans home opener against San Jose State is $48 per ducat, which puts you in Section 318, Row 12. Those seats are located high in the closed end of the Coliseum with the sight line being where the back end of the end zone and the Trojans’ sideline converge.
In memory: Condolences to the family of Britt Williams, an All-Conference guard at USC in 1961 when he captained John McKay’s Trojan football team. Britt, 80, died of heart disease on Aug. 2 in San Mateo, Calif.
After his playing days, Britt later became head coach at Aragon High where he spent 21 seasons (1979-99) and compiled a 156-65-5 record, which included six league titles and two CIF Central Coast Section championships. Britt was inducted into the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Aragon High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.
The call-in show…
Caller No. 1: Katzer, is there any big news happening with WeAreSC.com as it pertains to the upcoming season?
Caller No. 1, why do you do this to me and put me on the spot? My lips are sealed. I know, since when does Mr. 60s tell-it-like-it-is hold back something important to the people? This I can promise you; it figures it will probably get your attention.
Caller No. 2: Grego, don’t beat around the bush, dude. What are the Trojans three biggest games this season?
Caller No. 2, Okay, I won’t beat around the Reggie Bush, so my answers to your question are Utah, at Notre Dame, and at ASU. Sweep those three, and the Trojans are gold. Beat Utah and win at ASU, the Trojans are likely Pac-12 South Division champs. Lose to both Utah and ASU, the Trojans don’t win the Pac-12 South and Clay Helton would likely be in coaching jeopardy.
Caller No. 3: Gregorio, how would you compare true freshman linebacker Raesjon Davis and Matt Grootegoed, both from Mater Dei.
Caller No. 3, this comparison seems to be going around. Since I saw both in high school, they were both outstanding players in their own right. However, Grootegoed was definitely the greatest all-around football player I’ve seen come out of the OC. I mean he seemed to play everywhere on either side of the ball and he was undeniably great. Davis was more specific at linebacker perhaps because of the type of team he was on.
This I know, former USC running back and current media star Petros Papadakis was carrying the pigskin during training camp at UC Irvine back in the day, and this young freshman linebacker named Matt Grootgoed came up and really popped Petros. The ball squirted out like a greased pig, and Papadakis said he had never been hit like that. He added that it really hurt because “Groots” had a way of tackling like no other.
Caller No. 4: Mr. USC Football Historian, in your many years of watching USC football, which team was the most intimidating looking coming off the team bus.
Caller No. 4, an excellent question. There have been many, but I still think the most mature looking and most intimidating looking was still the 1972 National Champions. They just had the look of killers in a football sense. There were other teams, like some of the Pete Carroll teams that had a number of players you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. But that 1972 McKay team was something else when it came to intimidation. Just ask Notre Dame and Ohio State.
Caller No. 5: in your lifetime, who is or who were your favorite comedians?
Caller No. 5, it takes a lot for a comedian to make me laugh, and I have very rarely actually gone to a concert or a comedy venue to watch a live performance. I know I am dating myself, but those stand-ups that have made me laugh in the past who are no longer with us include Don Rickles, Jonathan Winters, Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin, and Robin Williams.
Those living comedians that continue to crack me up are George Lopez and believe it or not, the raunchy, clever, and mischievous female comedians Amy Schumer and Nikki Glaser.
The last word: Three weeks from yesterday’s Saturday Coliseum scrimmage, the Trojans will host San Jose State in the 2021 season opener.
