USC has played 13 "true" freshmen so far this season.

1.) Emmanuel Moody
2.) C.J. Gable
3.) Allen Bradford
4.) Travon Patterson
5.) Taylor Mays
6.) Shareece Wright
7.) Walker Ashley
8.) Alex Parsons
9.) Vidal Hazelton
10.) David Ausberry
11.) Garret Green
12.) Antwine Perez
13.) Stanley Havili

If any of these strike you as incorrect, let us know, you may have been studying the kick coverage more acutely than us. (The first 8 though all have game-related statistics.)

And then listen to this exchange, and Tim Tessalone's classic response at the end.

One of the Trojans' beat writers told me that by themselves, David Ausberry, Vidal Hazelton, Jamere Holland and Travon Patterson "are probably more talented than any other receiving unit in the country."

"You mean, more talented than any other four freshmen on any other team?" I asked.

"More talented than any other team's receivers, period," he said.

"Hey guys," said Tim Tessalone, the Trojans sports information director, who'd overheard the exchange. "Time to put the bong down."

Hahahahhahahaahahahaaha.

Trojan treatment [SI]

Josh Pinkard is officially out for the season, after an MRI on Tuesday revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Pinkard told reporters that he heard his right knee "crack" while covering a punt against the Razorbacks last Saturday night, on a play in the fourth quarter (when the Trojans were up 44-14).

Dallas Sartz, Antwine Perez, and Taylor Mays will fill the shoes of Pete Carroll's #1 Guy at free safety. Only good news -- Pinkard's injury comes early enough that he's eligible for a medical redshirt, and could return as a junior next season. He should have surgery on his knee sometime in the next couple weeks.

Josh Pinkard's 2006 Campaign is Done [The Fanhouse]

Starters first, in order of (our intrepretation) of Carroll's favoritism:

1. Josh Pinkard, Safety, #36
2. Lawrence Jackson, Defensive End, #96
3. Oscar Lua, Linebacker, #45
4. Dallas Sartz, Linebacker, #42
5. Chris Barrett, Defensive Tackle, #91
6. Kevin Ellison, Safety, #4
7. Sedrick Ellis, Nose Tackle, #49
8. Kyle Moore, Defensive End, #84
9. Keith Rivers, Linebacker, #55
10. Terrell Thomas, Cornerback, #28
11. Kevin Thomas, Cornerback, #15

Then the reserves (still in terms of Carroll's favor):

12. Rey Maualuga, Linebacker, #58
13. Brian Cushing, Linebacker/Defensive End, #10
14. Fili Moala, Defensive Tackle, #75
15. Kaluka Maiava, Linebacker, #43
16. Jeff Schweiger, Defensive End, #54
17. Cary Harris, Cornerback, #7
18. Thomas Williams, Linebacker, #41
19. Antwine Perez, Safety, #6
20. Taylor Mays, Safety, #29

Surely this list is debatable, but it should be a good indicator of who to watch for tomorrow. Expect the Arkansas offense to be running some no-huddle to limit SC's defensive substitutions though.

• #6 Antwine Perez - One of the early enrollers, he has been wearing Tim McDonald's old number throughout the spring.
• #7 Vidal Hazelton - Lucky number 7 for Vidal.
• #13 Stafon Johnson - "The Prince" will be #13.
• #19 David Ausberry - Will be wearing Keyshawn Johnson's NFL number.
• #21 Allen Bradford - Takes over LenDale's number.
• #25 C.J. Gable - Will be wearing Reggie's new NFL number.
• #29 Taylor Mays - Takes over Scott Ware's number.
• #86 Anthony McCoy - Another talented tight-end at #86.

The Numbers Are In [USCFootball.com]

USC's Antwine Perez on a trip back home to New Jersey is seen here giving back to his community.

When asked why he prefers defense (to offense):

Perez wondered why anyone would get hit when he could be the one doing the hitting. Then he grinned and said: It's better to give than to receive. And when it comes to hitting, Perez is quite a giver.

Ex-Wilson star Perez knows what is important [CourierPost Online]

Perez has long been mature for his age. He was forced to grow up quickly when, at 9 years old, his 23-year-old brother, Louis, was shot dead after falling in with the wrong crowd.

With the departure of Darnell Bing and Scott Ware, and the inexperience of Kevin Ellison and Will Harris, the New Jersey-native has a good chance to start at safety for the Trojans this season.

Without a safety net [San Bernadino Sun]

Future RB star, Stafon Johnson shakes hands with fans in the stands.

Hershel Dennis, the most likely starting tailback, injured his hamstring and sat out the practice. Petros Papadakis says while there certainly is new talent for the Trojans to tap into, Hershel Dennis is the only one who can pick up blitzes and understand the offense.

5-star recruit, and now a junior, Whitney Lewis looked good running the ball though.

Ryan Powdrell also saw some action in the backfield along with Brandon Hancock and Joey Adewale.

S Antwine Perez sported a beard and played on the first string defense. We love this guy. Look for him to make an immediate "impact".

The other freshman in attendance, but on the sidelines: RB Stafon Johnson, OL Zack Heberer, DL Alex Parsons, WR Travon Patterson, RB Kenny Ashley and DB Alfred Rowe.

Spring football report: March 21st [USCFootball.com]
Spring Football Update 3/22 [USC Trojan Football blog]
Trojans get back to work as spring practice opens [Daily Trojan]

On Thursday the players held a voluntary practice in shorts and t-shirts. John David Booty led the offense. Dallas Sartz the defense.

Hershel Dennis was the main guy running the ball, but Whitney Lewis also lined up in the tailback spot.

Newcomers Antwine Perez and Gerald Washington were present.

Photos from March 2nd winter workouts [USCFootball.com]

You get something special like the USC Trojans.

• RB Kenny Ashley 4-star 5-8/210 (Venice, CA)
• WR David Ausberry 4-star 6-4/213 (Lemoore, CA)
• LB Allen Bradford 5-star 5-11/219 (Colton, CA)
• ATH C.J. Gable 5-star 5-11/180 (Sylmar, CA)
• QB Garrett Green 3-star 6-2/190 (Sherman Oaks, CA)
• RB Stanley Havili 4-star 6-0/208 (Salt Lake, UT)
• WR Vidal Hazelton 5-star 6-3/193 (Chatham, VA)
• OL Zack Heberer 4-star 6-4/269 (San Pedro, CA)
• ATH Jamere Holland 4-star 6-1/175 (Woodland Hills, CA)
• RB Stafon Johnson 5-star 5-11/200 (Los Angeles, CA)
• DB Vincent Joseph 3-star 5-8/165 (Long Beach, CA)
• DT Butch Lewis 4-star 6-6/280 (Aurora, CO)
• ATH Taylor Mays 5-star 6-3/218 (Seattle, WA)
• TE Anthony McCoy 4-star 6-4/240 (Fresno, CA)
• RB Emmanuel Moody 4-star 6-1/195 (Coppell, TX)
• LB Michael Morgan 4-star 6-2/200 (Dallas, TX)
• DT Alex Parsons 4-star 6-4/260 (Irvine, CA)
• WR Travon Patterson 3-star 5-8/160 (Long Beach, CA)
• DB Antwine Perez 4-star 6-1/199 (Camden, NJ)
• DB Alfred Rowe 3-star 6-0/187 (Long Beach, CA)
• DE Derek Simmons 4-star 6-4/268 (Fairfield, CA)
• LB Joshua Tatum 4-star 6-0/219 (Oakland, CA)
• TE Gerald Washington 3-star 6-6/253 (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
• DB Shareece Wright 4-star 5-11/180 (Colton, CA)

Four-star running back Emmanuel Moody de-committed from Texas, and was looking at Miami or USC, and he came away a Trojan!

USC also landed a four-star O-lineman from Colorado in Butch Lewis.

This puts USC squarely in position to come away with the #1 recruiting class in the nation for the third consecutive year--making a THREE-PETE still possible...

Another Trojan prospect, Michael Goodson, had an amazing screen catch and subsequent run. Could have been the best play of the game had Antwine Perez not lived up to comparisons of Ronnie Lott. The boy sure can hit.

Fair warning to everyone because "herrrrrrrrrrrrrre come the Trojans!"

Trojans making a charge in recruiting [FOXSports]

ESPN had been reporting that Reuland had Stanford #1, SC #2, and Notre Dame #3 earlier in the year. Reuland would be the second TE to join the incoming class -- Gerald Washington of Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga has already committed to USC.

Thus far, the Trojans have secured commitments from:

• Taylor Mays - S - Seattle, WA (O'Dea H.S.)
• Antwine Perez - CB - , NJ (Woodrow Wilson H.S.)
• Derek Simmons - DE - Fairfield, CA (Armijo H.S.)
• Zack Heberer - OG - San Pedro, CA (San Pedro H.S.)
• Gerald Washington - TE - Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Chaffey College)

Perez is the latest score to come from New Jersey. Previously, USC has lured Dwayne Jarret and Brian Cushing to the west coast.

Because of his tendency to deliver bone-crunching hits, Perez has drawn comparisons to former USC standout Ronnie Lott.

Perez makes the call [USCFootball.com]
Perez makes it official [USCFootball.com]