USC RB Keaontay Ingram is definitely not shying away from challenges

The Texas transfer arrives as the Trojans try to move away from the failed “by-committee” approach to the running game

Adam Grosbard (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — Sometimes it can take some time to adjust to a new football team, a new offense, a new scheme. Like wading into the Pacific Ocean and letting your body adjust to the water temperature.

Or, you can run straight into the water without hesitation. That’s what straight-arming Keaontay Ingram (28) has done since transferring to USC.

The former Texas running back was one of the breakout performers of the spring for the Trojans, making an immediate impact with his powerful style and burst through the line of scrimmage. It’s been clear that Ingram has had no issues adjusting to the new offense at USC.

“Football is still football at the end of the day. Everybody pretty much do the same main concepts,” Ingram said nonchalantly. “Just the details of the game and stuff like that. So picking up on this offense is like a cakewalk for me.”

Ingram speaks with the same confidence and ease he displays when he runs. He says it was a simple decision to choose USC after three years at Texas, saying at this stage in his career he knew what he wanted: The chance for playing time, and the chance to win.

“Of course I do have goals, but I mean it’s not going to matter if we don’t win a championship,” he said. “So that’s the ultimatum – if we win championships, everybody get a good-paying job.”

The Trojans have struggled to run the ball in recent seasons, finishing last in the Pac-12 and 120th nationally in rushing yards per game in 2020 after ranking 10th and 118th, respectively, the year before.

That was something the USC coaching staff talked to Ingram about when he entered the transfer portal, asking him to bring his experience – 1,811 career rushing yards and a 5.3 yards per carry average – to the Trojans.

“I didn’t shy away from it. Actually talking to the coaches and stuff like that, I wanted to come to this situation,” he explained. “Why not?”

He’s arrived at USC at a time when the Trojans are trying to move away from the by-committee approach to the running game that had limited success. Instead, USC wants to find two main backs – 1A and 1B, as position coach Mike Jinks has put it.

Asked if he felt he had earned one of those spots, Ingram replied instantaneously, “Oh, most definitely.”

His likely counterpart is senior Vavae Malepeai, USC’s starter the past two seasons. It’s not exactly a pairing like the “Thunder and Lightning” days of Reggie Bush and LenDale White. Ingram and Malepeai are similar runners, with a physical, between-the-tackles style.

That’s not a problem for Jinks.

“Production. That’s what we’re looking for. When you’re on the football field, our team is better,” Jinks said. “Keaontay may have a little better top-end speed, but they’re both very, very physical three-down backs that we don’t have to worry who’s in on what play. That’s what we’ve always wanted. That’s why when Vae was healthy, he’s always kind of been that guy.”

Coming from a different background, Ingram has helped Malepeai in his short time at USC, particularly with pre-snap reads.

“He says sometimes when he lines up the first thing that he looks for is where is the free hitter coming from? And what I took from that is it’s good to have a plan when you’re running,” Malepeai said. “Of course sometimes everything doesn’t go to plan but when the time comes you at least want to have something in mind to be prepared for it.”

ocregister.com

__________

TrojanDailyBlog members  —  Always feel free to add information or topics to the TDB which don’t necessarily pertain to any particular moderator post or member comment.