It’s the last day of spring practice and Clay Helton unleashed this familiar refrain today: “Everybody’s going to have to earn a job. We’re going to play the best kids that are in the moment.” That’s a cliche. But how often is it even true at USC? Many times, you already know who is starting no matter what happens at practice . . . or … Continue reading Clay Helton Claims Jobs Must Be Earned

USC’s had two offensive linemen drafted in the first round the past two seasons and the offensive line was still a weak spot for the Trojans. What does that tell you? You can blame former offensive line coach Tim Drevno (like Clay Helton and Graham Harrell). I was pretty critical of Drevno while he was at USC, but I don’t blame him for the past … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

The Jets traded up to get the 14th pick and chose Alijah Vera-Tucker. The Jets hope he works out as well as the last USC offensive lineman they took in the first round: Marvin Powell in 1977. The Jets recently have taken these USC players in first round: Mark Sanchez (2009); Leonard Williams (2015) and Sam Darnold (2018). They also took Dave Cadigan (1988) and … Continue reading Alijah Vera-Tucker Goes To Jets

Zach Wilson went No. 2. Is he worth it? Trey Lance No. 3? Is he worth it? I know Jared Goff and Carsen Wentz weren’t worth it. Penei Sewell is worth it. Is Alijah Vera-Tucker destined for being picked between 15-20? We will see. Continue reading Where Will Alijah Vera-Tucker Get Drafted?

NBC will televise the USC-Notre Dame game at 4:30 p.m. PT on Oct. 23, the first game of the season with a kickoff time. Will the USC-Notre Dame game in South Bend ever be a day game again? For decades it was at 1:30 p.m. CT, a Notre Dame tradition. But then NBC stepped in 10 years ago and it’s never been the same since. … Continue reading USC-Notre Dame Kickoff Set

I mentioned this a couple weeks ago but I think it’s going to be listed as a concern going into the fall. A USC coach told me he’s been surprised in spring drills by the number of interceptions thrown by Kedon Slovis. The expectations were unusually high for Slovis a year ago. And now he’s under intense scrutiny because of his inconsistent 2020 performance. But … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Doubts Have Not Been Erased In Spring