LOS ANGELES – When USC opens fall camp on Aug. 3 there will be plenty of eyes on wide receiver Victor Blackwell.
Similar to just about every FBS player that puts on the pads on Saturdays, Blackwell can't rest on his accomplishments of the past.
He has to prove that he can play at this level.
Blackwell was a four-star recruit and an Army All-American coming out of Mater Dei High School in 2011.
As he prepares to enter his redshirt sophomore season at USC, he has one career catch. He knows he has to do better. Moreover, he knows now is the time.
The Trojans will enter fall camp less two wide receivers.
George Farmer and Steven Mitchell both suffered season ending knee injuries this offseason. Both were thought to be the favorites to win the No. 3 wide receiver spot behind reigning Biletnikoff Award winner Marqise Lee and Nelson Agholor, who looks to be ready to have a breakout 2013.
And then, there's Blackwell, who's bunched in a group that includes freshman Darreus Rogers and fifth-year senior De'Von Flournoy all vying for the spot.
The time is now for Blackwell.
"I definitely feel like I got something to prove," Blackwell said. "I’ve been here for what? Two, three years already and only caught one ball. So, I definitely have something to prove.
"I definitely want to be out there and be a part of victories and wins and hopefully bringing us back to where we should be."
Blackwell took a step in the right direction with an impressive showing in the spring game. He had seven receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown.
The goal now is to prove to the coaching staff that he can truly be that reliable and his performance in the spring game wasn’t just a one-time ordeal. The coaching staff tells him they need to be able to trust him, Blackwell says.
It all starts with his attitude.
The redshirt sophomore admits to sulking earlier in his career when things didn’t go his way.
"I used to be on the sideline mad ... that I wasn’t in the game or super sour thinking ‘Man, I could be doing the same thing,’ " Blackwell said. "But, it’s a process and steps to every level so I’m just trying to climb it.
"I had to learn to become more (humble and) make sure the coaches see you on your stuff at all times and you can’t take a break."
