D.J. took an unofficial visit to ASU yesterday and the rumor is that he is interested in joining up with his brother Josh, who played at Pasadena City College last year, as part of a package deal to play in Tempe. This is obviously very surprising news for SC fans since D.J. has been a firm commit to USC for a while now.

Personally, I don't think there is much to worry about here.  The way I see it is, if ASU bites at the bait and decides to go after D.J. via Josh, assuming the two would even follow through with commitments, SC could counter-offer and close the door on the situation.  That sounds arrogant, but anyone that has followed D.J. knows he is a big-time SC fan; he and Dillon Baxter have served as the D.J. Shoemate/Chris Galippo type recruiting coordinators for the class.  There's a reason why no major school has seriously tried to sway D.J. elsewhere; they know D.J. is a lock to SC.

Some thoughts on USC's Junior Day:

"Just being around the players and coaches on Saturday was incredible. They have so much energy and you get fired up being around them. They have a great football program and who wouldn't want to be a part of a team like that."

One of his best friends and former teammates is '09 commit, Byron Moore, so hopefully that'll provide some pull in bringing in Sean.    

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• USC offered Malcolm Jones, younger brother of Marshall Jones, over the weekend.  He's one of the top big backs in CA (and likely the country) for '10.  Personally I think Anthony Barr out of Loyola is a better prospect. Unfortunately it doesn't look like either player will come to SC; many people have Barr as a lock to Notre Dame and Malcolm to Stanford.  

• Nick Montana, son of famed Joe Montana, was also on hand.  Lot of hype surrounding Nick off of name value alone.  I personally think he's a good QB but far from being elite.  Playing at Oaks Christian on a stacked team in a sub-par league tends to skew things a bit.

Some argue SC needs to take a QB this class, which is valid because there is always the possibility of Corp transferring (I doubt Mustain will transfer again) if he loses the QB battle, which would leave us 1-deep going into the 2010 season.  Pete Thomas is a name that is floating around and he was on hand for Junior Day.  I'm hoping SC takes the QB process slow and holds off till next year... 

• Lot of SC leans showed up in Dietrich Riley, Kenny Stills, Randal Telfar, and Ronald Powell. Powell looks like he'll be a lock to be rated one of the elite D-Linemen in the country.  SC has been on Ronald since I first started this site.  Ronald has mentioned that SC is his favorite school but lot of stuff can happen between now and signing day.  Hopefully Tyron Smith (former teammate of Ronald) and the coaching staff will keep his interest level high and turn Ronald into this year's Devon Kennard minus the suspense.

• Tevin McDonald, younger brother of '09 commit T.J. McDonald and son of former USC All-American safety Tim McDonald, came down from Fresno to take in the day.  SC has been more selective about handing out offers this year and Tevin has yet to receive one, but can change that at the upcoming Rising Stars camp.

Really liking Pete Carroll's approach this year in taking more time to evaluate players.  With all the talent in CA this year, we definitely have a shot at pulling in the top class in the nation.  Obviously lot of factors will come into play, but judging from the response from Junior Day, it is definitely a great precursor to the Rising Stars camp which has been a big hit for recruits and will bring together the elite talent across the nation.

A TrojanWire favorite will not be showcased on the first day of 2009.

It could be an opportunity for freshman D.J. Shoemate, but really it's a major blow to the dynamics of the USC offense.

USC FB Stanley Havili won't play in Rose Bowl [ESPN]

Shoemate, a freshman from Servite High, worked at a new spot during practice Monday - tailback. It’s the third position since training camp for Shoemate, who began the summer as a wide receiver before shifting to fullback. He mostly has played special teams during games.

USC coach Pete Carroll said Shoemate’s latest switch had nothing to do with tailback Broderick Green’s departure from the team. Green disclosed Saturday that he intends to transfer so he can be closer to his family in Arkansas.

Still, Monday’s practice was USC’s first since Green’s announcement - and Shoemate’s first at tailback.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to be a contributor,” Shoemate said. “I haven’t really been in the mix.”

Carroll said offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian wanted Shoemate to have more chances to handle the ball, take hits and work on his ball security.

Shoemate (6-0, 220) also can serve the big-back role on the scout team that Green often assumed. Carroll said USC’s defense will “need some thumping” this week to prepare for Stanford running backs Toby Gerhart (6-1, 232) and Anthony Kimble (6-1, 217). They have combined for 1,582 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Shoemate isn’t sure where his long-term future lies. He knows learning multiple positions only will help him in the long run.

“It make me more versatile,” Shoemate said. “I’m here to play some football - whatever I have to do to get some playing time. I just want to be a team player.”

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Mark Sanchez doesn’t believe in revenge
• USC football: Blake Ayles still out
• USC football: Taylor Mays honored
• USC football: Cal’s critical penalty explained
• Grade it: USC’s offense vs. Cal
• Grade it: USC’s defense vs. Cal
• Grade it: USC’s coaching vs. Cal
• Grade it: USC’s special teams vs. Cal
• USC football: Why Broderick Green is leaving

The headline injury in training camp was a dislocated kneecap suffered two weeks ago by starting quarterback Mark Sanchez. After seeing him throw in 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 drills, Carroll was pleased with Sanchez's progress and said that he could be practicing at full speed in the next couple of days. That would allow Sanchez, who watched the mock game from the sideline, to participate in game-week preparations.

Asked about his other quarterbacks, Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp, Carroll wasn't saying much without watching the film. "There were no major breakdowns in communication ... we made it through, I think this was just another day for those guys growing."

Sophomore tailback Joe McKnight appeared fine despite dealing with a series of random and presumably painful injuries over the last couple of weeks.

There was some concern over how sharp USC looked on the lines, with a few penalties and turnovers sprinkled in. More coverage after the jump.

--Adam Rose
Photo: Mark Sanchez (6) flanked by Mitch Mustain (16) and Aaron Corp (15). Credit: Lori Shepler / LA Times.

Quick picks:

• Full scrimmage recap from Gary Klein.
• Details on a surprising camp for Garrett Green and other updates from David Wharton.
• Scrimmage stat report (PDF file) from USC.

Click play to listen to Pete Carroll's press gaggle held immediately after the scrimmage:

Media release from USC Sports Information:

WHITE TEAM DEFEATS CARDINAL TEAM, 28-7, IN USC FOOTBALL INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGE

        LOS ANGELES–The White team, comprised mainly of first and second teamers, defeated the Cardinal (reserves) team, 28-7, in the USC football team’s final intrasquad scrimmage of fall camp in front of 8,000 fans in the Coliseum on Thursday (Aug. 21).
         The White team scored a touchdown in each quarter.  After defensive end Kyle Moore deflected a first quarter pass by Cardinal team quarterback Garrett Green, fellow end Everson Griffen intercepted it in the end zone for a score.  But the Cardinal team responded on its following possession, capping a 74-yard drive with Green’s 12-yard TD pass to wide receiver Brice Butler. 
        Late in the first half, tailback Joe McKnight scored on a 6-yard run that culminated a 69-yard drive for the White squad.
        The White team scored on its first possession of the second half on an 88-yard drive.  Quarterback Aaron Corp hit tight end Blake Ayles on a 12-yard pass, but Ayles fumbled the ball into the end zone and offensive guard Zack Heberer fell on it for a touchdown.
        Quarterback Mitch Mustain hit fullback Adam Goodman for a 2-yard TD on the White team’s final possession of the game to finish the scoring.
        Corp (8-of-10 passing for 85 yards) and Mustain (10-of-14 for 92 yards) split time in the scrimmage.  Mark Sanchez, who entered fall camp as the starting quarterback before dislocating his kneecap on Aug. 8, participated in pre-game drills and could return to practice fulltime next week.
        McKnight ran for 32 yards on 3 carries and had 34 more yards on 3 punt returns.  Tailback Allen Bradford added 39 yards on 6 rushes. Wide receiver Vidal Hazelton had 5 receptions for 44 yards, while Ayles had 3 for 55 yards.
        For the Cardinal team, Green was 10-of-19 passing for 134 yards, but was intercepted twice.  Wide receivers Jordan Cameron (81 yards), D.J. Shoemate (36 yards) and Butler (19 yards) each had 3 catches. Shoemate added 63 yards on 3 kickoff returns.
        The Cardinal defense was led by safety Drew McAllister’s 8 tackles and linebacker Jordan Campbell’s 5 stops.
        Garratt topped the White squad with 3 tackles, while safety Taylor Mays had 3 deflections.
        Six-time defending Pac-10 champion USC opens its season on Aug. 30 at Virginia.

Photos: Pete Carroll (above) and Garrett Green (14). Credit: Lori Shepler / LA Times.

Mitch Mustain in the game. Stafon Johnson loses 4 yards and then Mustain finds Vidal Hazelton for 15 yards. Mustain is then hit as he throws and the ball dies in the air but no one sees for the possible interception. Stafon Johnson then fumbles and Drew McAllister recovers. That's the end of Mustain's drive and back to the well-used Garrett Green.
Maybe to get Mustain some time, Johnson's fumble is ruled a dead ball after a long delay.
Joe McKnight gains 11 yards. Mustain throws a 23-yard pass to Hazelton, who extends his arms and drops it. Mustain comes back and finds Anthony McCoy for 7 yards. Two false starts against the offense. It's 3rd and 20 and Mustain hands off to McKnight, who gains 15. On fourth down, Mustain finds Hazelton for nine yards. Mustain to Hazelton again, for nine yards.
TOUCHDOWN: After a personal foul on the defense, McKnight runs it in from 6 yards. White team 14, Cardinal 7.
It's halftime. Unofficially, we have Mustain 4-7 for 39 yards and Corp 3-4 for 14 yards. Green is 4-9 for 90 yards with a TD and INT.

Actually, they are still going with Corp. Bradford gains 2 yards on a carry.
Corp escapes a sack and gains about 19 yards on a scramble. Joe McKnight jukes a couple times and gains 14 yards. Corp's pass in deflected by Taylor Mays. McKnight then drops Corp's pass to avert a potential good gain.
Corp calmly rolls out and finds Damian Willaims for 12 yards. Corp then fumbles the snap and Stafon Johnson picks up the ball, lose of five. Corp's pass is deflected, looks like Wes Horton got it. On 3rd and 16, Corp's pass is incomplete.
Time to catch a breath. Corp looks calm, his arm is not the strongest but he plays under control and can avoid the rush.
Mustain back in the game. Green loses a yard. Mustain throws to Adam Goodman, who can't hold on to it. Mustain then throws incomplete to David Ausberry, who is well covered.
Garrett Green in at QB. B. Green carries for a loss of one. Green then throws to Blake Ayles, but for no gain and follows with an incomplete pass.
Mustain throws to Goodman for 9 yards. Bradford then loses a couple yards. Mustain throws behind Ronald Johnson, incomplete.
Corp back in and throws an incomplete pass. He then finds Travon Patterson open for about 17 yards. He throws a nice ball to Scott Stephens, who drops it, but pass intereference is called. Corp is sacked by Derek Simmons. Corp finds Patterson for 19 yards.
Corp scrambles for 10 yards. Corp fumbles another snap and this time the defense recovers.
Looks like its halftime. We've got some center-QB snap issues with both quarterbacks and the running game is not impressive.
Second half. Mustain in. B. Green gains no yards and Mustain finds Brandon Carswell for about seven yards. Mustain to a diving D.J. Shoemate for about 4 yards. Marc Tyler enters and gains a yard. B. Green then gains 2 yards. Mustain then finds Tyler for 13 yards, but it's called back. Mustain throws a short pass to Carswell, who drops it.
Corp in and gets sacked. He then scrambles for five yards when the protection breaks down.
Corp throws to McKnight, who is hit hard by Kevin Ellison and drops. That hit leads to some unsportsmanlike conduct on both sides for offsetting penalties.
Garrett Green back in. He throws incomplete, then finds Blake Ayles, who gains 11 yards and looks like he has the wheels to maybe break some runs off passes this season. Green finds a wide-open Stephens for 7 yards.
TOUCHDOWN -- Green down sideline to Carswell for 42 yards.
Mustain at QB. McKnight gains about six and then Mustain finds Rhett Ellison for 14 yards. Mustain then hits Ellison again for seven yards. A defensive penalty on a play where Ellison catches a 3 yard pass.
Mustain then throws to Bradford, who gains 18 yards. McKnight gains 6 yards. Mustain's pass is intercepted in the end zone, maybe by Brian Baucham.
It's over!

Corp to Travon Patterson for 2 yards. Corp in the shotgun, throws for a yard to D.J. Shoemate under a strong rush.
Mitch Mustain is in with a new group. He rolls out and finds Patterson for 9 yards. Broderick Green carries for no gain on the next play. Mustain throws a little pass to Green, who runs 16 yards.
More Green on a rush, for no gain. Green again for a couple yards. Mustain gets sacked on the next play. Change of possession.
Corp finds Anthony McCoy over the middle for 8 yards. Allen Bradford loses 1 yard on a carry. On 3rd down, Gerald Washington blocks Corp's pass. Next!
Actually, they are still going with Corp. Bradford gains 2 yards on a carry.
Corp escapes a sack and gains about 19 yards on a scramble. Joe McKnight jukes a couple times and gains 14 yards. Corp's pass in deflected by Taylor Mays. McKnight then drops Corp's pass to avert a potential good gain.
Corp calmly rolls out and finds Damian Willaims for 12 yards. Corp then fumbles the snap and Stafon Johnson picks up the ball, lose of five. Corp's pass is deflected, looks like Wes Horton got it. On 3rd and 16, Corp's pass is incomplete.
Time to catch a breath. Corp looks calm, his arm is not the strongest but he plays under control and can avoid the rush.
Mustain back in the game. Green loses a yard. Mustain throws to Adam Goodman, who can't hold on to it. Mustain then throws incomplete to David Ausberry, who is well covered.
Garrett Green in at QB. B. Green carries for a loss of one. Green then throws to Blake Ayles, but for no gain and follows with an incomplete pass.
Mustain throws to Goodman for 9 yards. Bradford then loses a couple yards. Mustain throws behind Ronald Johnson, incomplete.
Corp back in and throws an incomplete pass. He then finds Travon Patterson open for about 17 yards. He throws a nice ball to Scott Stephens, who drops it, but pass intereference is called. Corp is sacked by Derek Simmons. Corp finds Patterson for 19 yards.
Corp scrambles for 10 yards. Corp fumbles another snap and this time the defense recovers.