Trojan Notes: Scrimmage Shows the Depth of the USC Running Backs

The Trojan backfield has had plenty of turnover in the past year, with the graduation of Allen Bradford and Stanley Havili, the suspension of Marc Tyler, and the presumed return of Curtis McNeal due to academic eligibility.

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images via Zimbio

Many assumed Dillon Baxter(right) would become the go-to back for ‘SC in the wake of the Marc Tyler fiasco, and in the team’s second “preseason game” of the camp on Sunday, he got the most carries with 16. Baxter was the only back to hit the century mark, finishing the day with 101 yards despite being held out of the endzone.

It’s a big year for Baxter, one that could pave the way for the rest of his career at USC. After a freshman year of pot smoking, benching, backup roles, the wildcat offense and just one touchdown, he has the perfect opportunity to show his maturity on and off the field. Kiffin said early on in camp that he was “bigger, faster, stronger”. And when you consider that everyone in Los Angeles is still drooling over “The Run”, the idea of a turbo-charged Dillon Baxter is beyond enticing.

Yet, somehow, it is Curtis McNeal who is the currently at the top of the depth chart for Lane Kiffin. McNeal? Really? It’s hard to envision based on the standing of Baxter, the hype of D.J. Morgan and the newfound phenom, in Amir Carlisle. But for Kiffin, it’s the total package of McNeal that has made the difference. Kiffin said last week that it was McNeal’s ability to block that put him ahead of the others as an all-around back, and surely this has carried over to the depth chart.

McNeal, who will presumably be officially declared academically eligible on Tuesday, had a crucial scare during Sunday’s scrimmage, when he twisted his knee after being tackled. Fortunately, it turned out to be a stinger, but as McNeal said after the scrimmage, he was worried it could have been a torn ACL.

“I thought it was real bad. But after I got to the sideline, it was tight but I was able to bend it, so I knew it was fine.” The injury cut his day short, limiting him to just 14 yards on three carries, but it enabled the other backs to get in some work.

Redshirt freshman D.J. Morgan saw plenty of reps last Monday in the first scrimmage, leading the ground attack with 160 yards on 24 carries. Sunday saw his carries drop significantly, as the Taft High star had just eight carries on his way to 44 yards.

Morgan got rave reviews last season with the scout team, and Kiffin was fired up about his effort going into Spring Camp, especially in relation to motivating Dillon Baxter(which is always a good idea). Here’s what Kiffin said to the OC Register back in March:

"“Been very encouraged by him, in the pass game and the run game. He looks very explosive, even though he’s not 100 percent yet. Very natural and smooth. In high school, even going back to his seventh-grade film, he was unbelievable. He’s so creative. It’s great. And I hope it’s a great message to Dillon Baxter. Here’s somebody who didn’t get quite the (same) praise because of his injury, but he (Baxter) is going to have to work his tail off to start with that kid here.”"

Surely a healthy Morgan is a boost to the effort of Baxter, but so is the collective work of McNeal, Morgan and the freshman Amir Carlisle. Carlisle, who I mentioned last week, has been one of the most impressive players in camp, as a long-run extraordinaire.

The explosive Carlisle saw his carries increase on Sunday, with 75 yards on 15 attempts, including a 3-yard touchdown. He’s a very mature true freshman, and according Trojan vets such as Matt Barkley and Chris Galippo, he’s following the footsteps of Robert Woods, last year’s freshman phenom.

It’s still early. Heck, Monday is the Trojans’ first off day of camp. But the improvement of Baxter, and the emergence of three strong candidates to dethrone Baxter, has got to make Lane Kiffin feel a lot better about the loss of Marc Tyler.

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