Mar 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during spring practice at Howard Jones Field. Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USC has any number of true freshmen who can contribute this season, including a few who will help star quarterback Sam Darnold ignite the offense.
One of the eye-opening players from a weekend scrimmage was running back Stephen Carr, who scored twice and had another touchdown nullified by penalty.
“He brings an explosiveness to the table,” Trojans coach Clay Helton said.
Carr, a five-star recruit listed at 6-foot and 210 pounds, is vying for a time-share role with starter Ronald Jones II, a junior who lost his tag-team partner when Justin Davis graduated. The Trojans also have Aca’Cedric Ware, among others, looking to carve out time in the backfield.
Helton said Carr’s early work in camp reminds him of Jones in that “I have no idea where he’s going.”
The coach added about Carr: “His ability to put one foot in the ground, change direction off what he sees … he makes full-speed decisions. You’re looking at a 200-pound man who is very explosive. He truly puts one foot in the ground and is able to transition in another direction.”
Other USC true freshmen who could see prominent roles are nose tackle Marlon Tuipulotu, wide receivers Randal Grimes and Joseph Lewis, linebacker Levi Jones and offensive tackle Austin Jackson.
–Former Syracuse coach Dick MacPherson, who revived the program and led the Orange to an undefeated season in 1987, died Tuesday. He was 86.
MacPherson’s 1987 team went 11-0-1, tying Auburn 16-16 in the Sugar Bowl, and finishing with a No. 4 ranking. He went 66-46-4 at Syracuse from 1981 to 1990 before leaving to coach the New England Patriots. He went 8-24 in two seasons before giving way to Bill Parcells.
MacPherson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2009.
–Linebacker Kain Daub, a former four-star signee for Florida State, practiced for the first time at Florida Atlantic on Tuesday morning. Daub spent last season at a junior college in New York before joining FAU and first-year coach Lane Kiffin.
Daub was rated the nation’s No. 73 high school prospect in the 2014 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He redshirted in 2014 and then transferred from Florida State in March 2015.
–Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick is the only returning consensus All-American defender in the country. Exactly where he will line up this season is anybody’s guess.
Fitzpatrick can play all six defensive back positions in the Crimson Tide’s defense — both cornerback spots, both safety spots, the nickel back (star) and the dime back (money).
“I think the goal is just get the best four guys, five guys on the field in the best positions,” said coach Nick Saban. “Minkah can play either place extremely well, so how the other players develop will probably determine to a large degree where he ends up playing.”
Fitzpatrick likely will end up at safety if sophomore Trevon Diggs, converted from wide receiver in the spring, and/or Tony Brown can hold up in coverage at cornerback opposite Anthony Averett.
