USC looking to settle offensive line battles in near future
Adam Grosbard(OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — One of the key position battles of USC’s fall camp has been along the offensive line. But, barring any unexpected developments this week, the Trojans are hoping to wrap that up after Saturday’s second scrimmage.
The main battle has been at the tackle positions. Redshirt freshmen Courtland Ford (74) and Jonah Monheim have rotated between first-team left tackle and second-team right tackle for much of camp, though Monheim got the most reps at starting left tackle during this past weekend’s scrimmage.
On Monday, though, Ford worked at starting left tackle while Monheim moved to starting right tackle, a position that had been held down by senior Jalen McKenzie last season and for the first eight practices of camp. All three struggled in pass blocking situations on Monday, especially against edge rushers Drake Jackson and Juliano Falaniko.
The trio of Ford, Monheim and McKenzie will compete for the starting tackle positions this week, with a possible decision looming.
“It’s close battles out there but you kind of get of a feel for who those first two groups are going to be and which side they’re going to be on so you can lock them into those sides,” head coach Clay Helton said on Monday.
Offensive line coach Clay McGuire echoed those sentiments last week, saying that he wanted the starting unit to build chemistry before the season opener against San Jose State.
“It can’t be one of those things where they don’t know what they’re going to go into mock week or game week as far as which side they’re going to play,” McGuire said. “So as we get closer to that date we really need to settle in and start building some chemistry and continuity amongst those guys at the positions they want to play.”
INJURY REPORT
Starting their second full week of camp, the Trojans are a little banged up.
Defensive end Korey Foreman sat out practice on Monday with a slight groin strain, Helton said. Foreman played through the injury in Saturday’s scrimmage, which made his dominant performance in that exhibition even more impressive.
On Saturday, Foreman had offensive tackles on their heels as he pushed through into the pocket, blocking several passes at the line of scrimmage. But in Monday’s practice, he was in defensive line coach Vic So’oto’s hip pocket as he watched 11-on-11.
Tight end Malcolm Epps is continuing to rehab through turf toe. Though Helton said the transfer has been diligent in his rehabbing efforts, he could still be sidelined for three to four weeks, which could potentially keep him out through the season opener against San Jose State on Sept. 4.
“If it was an offensive lineman, you could probably still play it, get away with it,” Helton said. “But you’re talking about a guy that runs 20-plus miles per hour, turn on a dime. It’s gonna take a little bit.”
Running backs Keaontay Ingram (ankle) and Darwin Barlow (hamstring) both sat out practice on Monday but are expected back within the next week.
Cornerback Chris Steele and defensive tackle Jamar Sekona both are in health and safety protocols and away from the team. Sekona missed practices late last week, but Steele woke up feeling sick on Monday and did not come in to work with the team, Helton said.
The Trojans also had some long-term injuries pop up. Safety Briton Allen (left) tore his ACL and will require season-ending surgery, Helton said, while cornerback Adonis Otey (below) was in a sling on Monday after surgery to repair a broken bone in his hand. Helton said Otey’s recovery will be extended and could end his season.
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