USC head coach Steve Sarkisian says the first six spring practices have created a "really competitive environment."
It's to his liking, too, as his team wrapped up its first round of spring practices Saturday at the Coliseum. The Trojans will be off for spring break before returning on March 24 to finish the final nine spring practices including the Spring Game scheduled for Apr. 11.
"It's almost like having two spring practices in my opinion," Sarkisian said. "We get six practices in. We get some really good foundation laid. We're able to evaluate really well --not just in a 24-hour period but over the next eight, nine days --and then come back and build upon, one, what we've done, but re-install some things where we have issues where we're not executing the way we want, and then play to the strengths of some other guys that we want more out of in spring ball as we go."
It's looking like the majority of the things Sarkisian and his staff are going to have to "re-install" when the team returns from spring break will be on the offensive end.
USC's defense has had the upper hand through thus far. The unit concluded Saturday's practice with a four-interception performance.
There's been some young talent that has stepped up when given opportunities, and that was on display Saturday.
Freshman linebacker Cameron Smith, who was credited with one of the aforementioned interceptions, is one of them.
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Smith, a four-star early enrollee from Granite Bay, has been able to get more reps inside after returning starter Anthony Sarao went down with an injury.
"He's a physical guy (and) that's exactly what we were looking for," Sarkisian said of Smith. "We wanted a big, physical middle linebacker. I think we got that. I think what he's shown us is he's a better athlete than, maybe, we gave him credit for. He's really good in the pass game. He's able to get his hands on the football."
Redshirt freshmen defensive back Lamont Simmons stepped up and had an interception Saturday as well and is a player Sarkisian describes as having "a really bright future" for the Trojans.
"He's a really good fit if you want to play a lot of man-to-man because he's got length, he's got speed," Sarkisian said. "We're starting to see more of the assertiveness, the physicality, the confidence, and it showed today."
The spring provides lots of opportunity for young players to make plays and defensively that's been the case for the Trojans through two weeks of drills.
"I think our defense is playing really aggressively right now," Sarkisian said. "They're getting their hands on footballs. They're creating turnovers, which for us to be a really good team needs to happen. I'm pleased with that."
