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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Southern California

Previous 15 Notes

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04/19/21 - *Chris Steele, Jr/2022, Southern California + More +

Few Pac-12 corners play a more smothering, aggressive style than Steele, but that tight coverage has translated less to turnovers than it has penalties so far in his USC career. The junior has one interception through two seasons, but caught plenty of calls last season from officials, who flagged him for six coverage penalties over six games. "I've been a little over-physical with my hands at times," Steele admitted Thursday. He's planning to put those hands to better use this season. Steele missed the first week of spring due to health and safety protocols, but his progress in that area was clear upon his return to practice last week. On Tuesday, he closed the session with a leaping interception on a fade to receiver Drake London in the corner of the end zone. "I think I've always had kind of a bad rep of not making plays on the ball, just having a lot of pass breakups," Steele said. "So this year, I definitely want to make a lot more plays on the ball, get some interceptions." - Los Angeles Times

Jr/2022

CB *Chris Steele, Southern California
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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04/14/21 - Isaiah Pola-Mao, Sr/2022, Southern California + More +

Their leader at safety left for the NFL. A starting cornerback followed. Their usual nickel corner was out for spring. The replacement tore a knee ligament last Tuesday. So as USC began scrimmaging on Saturday afternoon, with its secondary in somewhat rough shape, Isaiah Pola-Mao walked up from his usual perch at safety to line up in the slot, settling into his new, albeit temporary place at nickel. There aren't many other options at cornerback.

Not after USC lost Max Williams for the year to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Greg Johnson, who opened last season as the starting nickel, isn't expected to return from his own knee injury until fall either. Until Saturday, USC didn't even have its top corner, Chris Steele, due to health and safety protocols. "Isaiah's been in the system," USC coach Clay Helton said. "He understands it, and it just helps him grow also and puts some tools in his toolbox by being so versatile." Pola-Mao will likely revert to safety when Johnson returns in the fall. But for now, his move to nickel will open up plenty of chances for the four safeties who signed on early to fight for playing time. - Los Angeles Times

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FS Isaiah Pola-Mao, Southern California
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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04/11/21 - Woody Marks, rSr/2025, Southern California + More +

Jo'quavious Marks doesn't mind sharing a backfield. The Mississippi State sophomore running back knows he'll be splitting time with fellow sophomore Dillon Johnson for the Bulldogs in 2021. Neither rusher would have it any other way. "He's going to tote the rock, I'm going to tote the rock, we're going to be proud of each other, and we're going to score touchdowns," Marks told reporters Thursday. Johnson called the pair of backs "lightning and thunder" - Johnson a power back who often proves elusive, Marks a speedy rusher with significant burst. "I think we complement each other just great," Johnson said.

Though Marks received more touches in the running and passing games in 2020, the two backs posted remarkably similar per-touch numbers. Marks averaged 4.5 yards per carry and 4.5 yards per reception; Johnson was just below at 4.4 yards per carry and 4.4 yards per catch. And now, Johnson said, both sophomore backs have made a big offseason leap after their true freshman seasons. "I feel like we both made a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2," he said. "I think it's because we've been in the system for a year, so I feel like both of us are comfortable. We feed off each other and we just love competing, so I think that's what it is." - The Dispatch

rSr/2025

RB Woody Marks, Southern California
News Source: The Dispatch
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04/10/21 - Max Williams, rSr/2024, Southern California + More +

A USC defensive backfield already dealing with depth issues has been dealt another blow. Max Williams, a redshirt sophomore nickel back, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Tuesday during spring practice, presumably ending his 2021 season before it begins. His father, Maxzell Williams Sr., confirmed the diagnosis on Twitter. "As a parent, one of the worse feelings in the world is when your child is hurting," Williams Sr. tweeted. "We've been down this road b4 and back to the road to recovery." Williams suffered a season-ending ACL injury as a senior at Gardena Serra High. The injury lingered into the start of his USC career, but once it healed, Williams quickly emerged as an option in the Trojans' secondary rotation. Williams' injury marks another setback for a USC secondary that was already running thin. Greg Johnson, who started at nickel back last season, is still dealing with a knee injury that will keep him out of spring. Starting cornerback Chris Steele hasn't been available through the first week of spring for undisclosed reasons. - Los Angeles Times

rSr/2024

FS Max Williams, Southern California
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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04/07/21 - Keaontay Ingram, Sr/2022, Southern California + More +

Helton has voiced a desire to improve efficiency in the Trojans' running game, and senior transfer Keaontay Ingram and freshman Brandon Campbell may be able to help with that. Ingram accumulated 1,811 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in his previous three seasons at Texas, in addition to catching 67 passes for six touchdowns. Campbell ran for 1,555 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2018 and 2019 at Lamar Consolidated High in Texas. "What I've seen from both Keaontay as well as Brandon Campbell has been a unique running skill set," Helton said. "They have a great feel, great patience as runners. They both are extremely explosive, and I've been impressed with their patience in the lane, letting things set up and then exploding." - Orange County Register

Sr/2022

RB Keaontay Ingram, Southern California
News Source: Orange County Register
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04/04/21 - *Jordan Addison, Jr/2023, Southern California + More +

Last fall, Jordan Addison became the first freshman to lead Pitt in receiving since Tyler Boyd in 2013. And yet, his debut season was only "pretty good" by his standards. "I don't think it was great," Addison said Thursday, speaking to the media for the first time since September. "I still have a lot to improve on." That may be true. Every college player has something to work on, especially a 19-year-old who got his first glimpse of Power Five ball eight months ago. But Addison is probably being a little hard on himself as he looks to build on his breakout campaign.

Addison emerged this time last year in spring camp as an early enrollee. Pitt had only three spring practices before COVID-19 shut the whole thing down, but it was apparent at that point that Addison - a four-star recruit with offers from Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia and more - could take over for Maurice Ffrench and start in the slot. What followed was 66 catches, 660 yards, four touchdowns and freshman All-American honors. Addison was the ACC Rookie of the Year runner-up, losing out to Kyren Williams, Notre Dame's redshirt freshman tailback. - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Jr/2023

WR *Jordan Addison, Southern California
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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03/25/21 - Tahj Washington, rSr/2024, Southern California + More +

Memphis wide receiver Tahj Washington participated in Tigers spring practice Tuesday. On Wednesday, he entered the NCAA transfer portal, the USA Today Network confirmed. The redshirt freshman started 10 of 11 games last season and his 43 catches for 743 yards and six touchdowns were all second-most among Tigers receivers behind Calvin Austin III. Washington was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. His 52-yard catch-and-run on fourth down against Central Florida extended the Tigers' winning drive as they won 50-49 in the biggest comeback in school history. The Texas native had three 100-yard receiving games last season, including a season-high eight catches for 105 yards against Florida Atlantic in the Montgomery Bowl. Washington is the sixth starter from the bowl game to the transfer portal or graduate. In total, 12 players have transferred since the season ended, including five players who opted out during the year. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

rSr/2024

WR Tahj Washington, Southern California
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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03/25/21 - *Talanoa Hufanga, Jr/2021, Southern California + More +

USC safety Talanoa Hufanga has gone a slightly different route as he prepares for the 2021 draft, working instead with one of his Trojan predecessors, Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu. "I'm very grateful for him in my life. Getting to learn from him is unbelievable," Hufanga said ahead of USC's pro day Wednesday. "When it comes to something I learned from him, it's so many things." Hufanga first met Polamalu in high school when training with Vai Sikahema, the first Tongan to play in the NFL. Sikahema asked whom Hufanga liked to model his game after, and though Hufanga said he didn't model after anyone, his favorite player to watch was Polamalu. It's not hard to see the parallels in their games. Both were hard-hitting safeties capable of making tackles for loss or interceptions depending on what the situation called for.

Sikahema pulled his phone out on the spot and started a group text between them and Polamalu. Hufanga began to utilize the former Pittsburgh Steeler great as a resource through FaceTime or phone calls. So when Hufanga declared for the NFL draft following his junior season, he put out the big ask to Polamalu. "When I asked if it was possible if I could train with him, it was something that he took thought into and ultimately said yes," Hufanga said. "I've been off social media for three years and getting to have those conversations with him. I think that's [why] he kinda knows that when I meant I was all-in, I was all-in." - Orange County Register

Jr/2021

SS *Talanoa Hufanga, Southern California
News Source: Orange County Register
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03/24/21 - Jalen McKenzie, rSr/2022, Southern California + More +

When Alijah Vera-Tucker slid over to left tackle last season, stepping into a spot vacated by an NFL draft first-rounder, there was little doubt that USC's top interior lineman was its best option on the blindside. A year later, with Vera-Tucker now also bound for the first round, the top option to replace him isn't anywhere near as clear. As USC opens spring practice next Tuesday, there's no bigger question mark than the one at left tackle, where four candidates have begun to state their case, but no obvious one has emerged through offseason workouts.

The most experienced of those four is already tentatively slated at right tackle. Jalen McKenzie will enter this season as one of the Trojans' most experienced linemen and will be "in the mix" to switch to left tackle, coach Clay Helton said. But Helton also spoke highly of the three freshman linemen who emerged last season on the fringe of the Trojans' rotation up front. "Courtland Ford has had a dynamic spring the last eight weeks," Helton said. "He's shown his athleticism. We'll take a look at him. Jonah Monheim also played left tackle in high school and helped play in a couple games last year. We'll also take a look at him. And Casey Collier is really coming on. 6-9, 317-pound athlete that's really developed a lot of core strength. We'll end up taking a look at him." - Los Angeles Times

rSr/2022

OT Jalen McKenzie, Southern California
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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01/26/21 - Keaontay Ingram, Sr/2022, Southern California + More +

Running back Keaontay Ingram is transferring from Texas to Southern California. USC confirmed the latest addition to its backfield Tuesday. Ingram rushed for 1,811 yards over the past three seasons with the Longhorns, making 18 starts. After starting all 13 games and racking up 853 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019, he rushed for 250 yards in six games last season while struggling with an ankle injury. Ingram is leaving Austin after freshman Bijan Robinson emerged as Texas' starting tailback late in the season and coach Tom Herman was replaced by Steve Sarkisian in the offseason. - AP College Football

Sr/2022

RB Keaontay Ingram, Southern California
News Source: AP College Football
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01/23/21 - Isaiah Pola-Mao, Sr/2022, Southern California + More +

USC's top safety already declared for the NFL draft. Its top cornerback joined him soon after that announcement. But Friday, one key piece of the Trojans secondary proclaimed his intent to return for his final season. Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, who served as one of USC's captains last season, officially announced he will lead the Trojans defense again in 2021. - Los Angeles Times

Sr/2022

FS Isaiah Pola-Mao, Southern California
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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01/23/21 - K.D. Nixon, rSr/2022, Southern California + More +

Former Colorado receiver KD Nixon has found a new home - and he will get a chance to beat the Buffaloes next fall. On Friday afternoon, Nixon announced that he has committed to Southern California as a graduate transfer. Nixon entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal earlier this month after four seasons with the Buffaloes. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound Nixon ranks 19th in CU history in career catches (99) and receiving yards (1,221), while adding seven touchdowns. He also had five catches for 39 yards in the Valero Alamo Bowl last month, numbers that CU doesn't count in its career totals. - Daily Camera

rSr/2022

WR K.D. Nixon, Southern California
News Source: Daily Camera
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01/19/21 - Tahj Washington, rSr/2024, Southern California + More +

Memphis wide receiver Tahj Washington stepped into a bigger role after Damonte Coxie opted out in October. Now he's a freshman All-American. Washington was named to the Football Writers Association of America's Freshman All-American Team on Monday. He was second on the team with 743 yards and third with 43 catches and six touchdowns. Washington played in all 11 games with 10 starts. He had three 100-yard games, including a career-high 131 yards in the Tigers' comeback win over UCF. His 52-yard catch-and-run on 4th down set up the Tigers' go-ahead score with 1:08 left. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

rSr/2024

WR Tahj Washington, Southern California
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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01/16/21 - Keaontay Ingram, Sr/2022, Southern California + More +

Texas running back Keaontay Ingram, an 1,800 yard career rusher, has put his name in the NCAA transfer portal, multiple recruiting sites reported late Thursday. Ingram, with 32 games and 18 career starts on his resume, becomes the first major test case for a player transfer under new UT coach Steve Sarkisian. Former coach Tom Herman had a way of talking players into staying after they put their name in the portal. Sarkisian's goal in the early days of his tenure is to get to know as many people as possible affiliated with the program.

Herman's running backs coach, Stan Drayton, is expected to stay on with Sarkisian. Ingram was also competing for playing time with freshman Bijan Robinson and sophomore Roschon Johnson. Ingram was a central figure the last three seasons. The all-state athlete from Carthage rushed for 708 yards as a freshman in 2018, 853 yards as a sophomore and 250 yards last season. He missed the last four games after suffering an ankle injury at Oklahoma State on Halloween. - Austin American Statesman

Sr/2022

RB Keaontay Ingram, Southern California
News Source: Austin American Statesman
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01/15/21 - Keaontay Ingram, Sr/2022, Southern California + More +

Texas Longhorns senior running back Keaontay Ingram has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report from 247Sports on Thursday evening. Rumors first surfaced about Ingram's future in the program in early December and the continued rise of Bijan Robinson at the end of his freshman season likely contributed to the decision by Ingram. A 6'0, 222-pounder, Ingram was the team's fourth-leading rusher in 2020 with 53 carries for 250 yards and a rushing touchdown he scored against the Cowboys on his last carry of the season one play after suffering a high ankle sprain. Out of the backfield, Ingram had 11 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown, but he was slowed by a preseason hamstring injury and then the ankle injury that sidelined him for the final four games. - Burnt Orange Nation

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