USC spring football practice primer
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
USC begins spring practice today with the first of 15 workouts that will conclude April 19 with the annual Trojan Huddle scrimmage at the Coliseum. The Trojans return only four starters on offense, seven on defense. Times staff writer Gary Klein takes a look at five questions facing the Trojans:
Will there really be a quarterback competition?
1Junior Mark Sanchez is the acknowledged leader going into spring practice, but sophomore Mitch Mustain and redshirt freshman Aaron Corp also will get repetitions with the first-team offense, Coach Pete Carroll said.
Sanchez started three games last season in place of injured John David Booty, leading the Trojans to victories over Arizona and at Notre Dame before a loss at Oregon. "I feel like I have a leg up," Sanchez said.
However, Mustain actually possesses more college game experience, having started and won eight times for Arkansas in 2006 before transferring to USC.
The mobile Corp has made big strides and gained strength since arriving from Orange Lutheran High, but he is regarded as a longshot.
Any movement in the logjam at tailback?
2Junior Stafon Johnson (673 yards) and sophomore Joe McKnight (540 yards) are the top returning tailbacks from last season, but there are four others intent on making a mark heading into the fall.
Redshirt sophomore C.J. Gable started five games as a freshman in 2006 and the first two games last season before an abdominal injury required season-ending surgery.
Junior Allen Bradford has been a special-teams standout while patiently waiting for an opportunity and he is expected to get a long look during spring workouts.
Redshirt freshman Broderick Green impressed during a brief training-camp stint last summer before a foot injury required season-ending surgery.
Marc Tyler also redshirted while recovering from a broken leg suffered during his senior season in high school.
Will the receiving corps be more consistent?
3Senior Patrick Turner and junior Vidal Hazelton combined for only seven touchdowns, and Hazelton's participation in the spring will be limited after abdominal surgery. Sophomores Ronald Johnson and David Ausberry and junior Garrett Green also return, but Arkansas transfer Damian Williams, who caught 19 passes for the Razorbacks in 2006, is regarded as the receiver to watch.
