USC’s Bradford pushes forward in crowded situation

USC’s quarterback competition has commanded most of the attention, but tailback Allen Bradford appears to be waging the most intense battle of the spring practice.

Call it Bradford against the world.

The junior from Colton, who played sparingly at tailback the last two seasons, has relentlessly stiff-armed, high-stepped over and spun through defenders during the Trojans’ first two workouts.

“I didn’t play like I wanted to play these last two years,” Bradford said after Thursday’s no-pads practice. “This is my opportunity.”

Bradford, a special teams standout, is trying to earn a significant role in a tailback corps that also includes junior Stafon Johnson, sophomores Joe McKnight and C.J. Gable and redshirt freshmen Marc Tyler and Broderick Green. Last season, Bradford carried the ball 15 times for 24 yards and one touchdown.

“He’s got some stuff, some chip on his shoulder,” running backs coach Todd McNair said. “He put in an awful lot of work in the off-season studying and that has really shown up…. We’ll see if he can maintain where he’s at.”

Bradford’s powerful running style and pass-catching ability also might make him a valuable commodity in a fullback rotation with sophomore Stanley Havili. Asked if he would be open switching to fullback at some point, Bradford said, “I’ll let the younger dudes do the moving to fullback. Right now I’m a tailback.”

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Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez, Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp all said they felt better than during the Trojans’ first practice on Tuesday.

“A lot faster, a lot quicker and a lot more natural,” Mustain said.

During team drills at the end of practice, walk-on defensive back Justin Hart intercepted a Mustain pass that tipped off McKnight’s hand, and linebacker Malcolm Smith intercepted a pass by Corp.

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Freshman offensive lineman Matt Meyer, who graduated early from Stockton Lincoln High, is becoming accustomed to the speed and intensity of Trojans workouts.

“No one slows down even when we’re not in pads,” the 6-foot-8, 290-pound Meyer said, chuckling. “People still dip their head, dip their shoulder, grab your facemask and your jersey, so I’m looking forward to getting into pads.”

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Among the onlookers at practice were two Oregon players; linebacker Casey Matthews, the brother of Trojans linebacker Clay Matthews, and Ducks defensive lineman Kenny Rowe, brother of Trojans fullback Alfred Rowe. Oregon begins spring practice next week…. Today’s practice, which includes a coaching clinic, is closed to the public.

gary.klein@latimes.com