The USC Trojans underwent their final two-a-day of training camp under the lights of the Coliseum on Sunday night. On Monday morning, the players moved out of the dorms and back to their respective regular living arrangements.
Camp, if you will, is done.
With the Hawaii matchup less than 10 days away, here are the winners and losers of USC fall camp.
Winners
OT Chad Wheeler
He was nothing more than a 230-pound offensive lineman from Santa Monica High School when he stepped onto the USC campus in the spring of 2012. The redshirt freshman is now up to 290 pounds. Don't tell Wheeler, but he's all but taken the starting left tackle spot away from Aundrey Walker. Wheeler doesn't concern himself with that, instead focusing on things he can improve on.
TB's Justin Davis, Tre Madden, Buck Allen
A freshman, a player coming off of a major injury, and an afterthought entering fall camp have been the stars of the USC backfield.
Kiffin says Davis does something "special" just about every time he touches the ball. Much was expected from Madden in 2012 before he suffered a torn ACL, and Allen looks like a completely different player. While Allen has been the most consistent because he's been able to remain healthy, you can take your pick on who's been the best back in camp.
WR Darreus Rogers
The USC freshman heard talk from the defensive side of the ball about watching out for a double move from the wideout. His response: "I don't need double moves ... throw the ball up and I'll go get it."
He went up and got plenty in the Trojans last scrimmage at the Coliseum, earning himself the No. 3 wide receiver spot behind Marqise Lee and Nelson Agholor.
QB Cody Kessler
It will be tough to envision No. 6 not lining up under center for the Trojans in their season opener at Hawaii on Aug. 29. Although no official announcement has come for Kiffin or the coaching staff, Kessler all but put a stranglehold on the quarterback competition in the last scrimmage. His deep ball accuracy hasn't been great, but aside from that, there isn't much bad you can say about him. His command and ability to improvise have set him apart.
Losers
TB Silas Redd
Injuries have kept him limited him in camp. In the process, young backs like Davis, Madden, and Allen have excelled. Redd is still considered the leader of the group, although Kiffin is unsure about his status for the opener at Hawaii.
Allen says Redd has been a tremendous help in his development, however, missing time could have Redd behind.
QB Max Wittek
He sort of ran into a buzz saw in the USC defense during the team's last scrimmage. On the day he got the start, the USC 'D' put together their best performance of training camp. The Wittek-led offense went three-and-out on their first three possessions. In a battle that Kiffin has described as close, the scrimmage could be the deciding factor.
OG John Martinez
USC has always prided itself on competition, and apparently a two-year starter on the offensive line isn't immune. Right tackle Kevin Graf has said his chemistry with Martinez at right guard is so good that the two don't even have to speak.
After Wheeler showed he could be a formidable anchor at left tackle, Walker was moved to right guard, leaving Martinez in a position battle in one of the most surprising moves of camp.
