The play happened during the second practice of training camp Sunday. Quarterback Aaron Corp scrambled left, then turned back and ran right. As Greene gave chase, Byers blindsided him with a clean, crunching block. Greene ended up on the turf as the rest of the Trojans hooted and hollered.

“Kevin Greene found out what Jeff Byers is all about,” USC coach Pete Carroll said.

Byers is known for his all-out hustle, which he frequently displayed last season despite being underweight after a summer illness limited his training.

Byers said he weighed 280 pounds “on a good day” last season. Now he’s at 297.

“My body feels good,” said Byers, who missed the 2005 and ‘06 seasons because of injuries. “I’m heavy. I’m just ready to go. I’ve still got to work hard, still got to really hone my skills. (But) I can actually come out and play the whole camp and feel good about myself.”

Byers is the senior leader of an offensive line that returns its top eight players and should be among the nation’s best. Greene got a little taste of it Sunday.

“Just playing football. Toughen the young guys up,” Byers said. “We practice full speed, pads or no pads. When we’re going full speed, I’m not thinking about whether I have pads on.”

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: WR recruits in the house
• USC football: 3 observations as training camp opens
• USC football: Joe McKnight comes out flying
• USC football: Buoyant Blakes Ayles back on the field
• USC football: Three defenders dinged
• USC football: Everson Griffen gets serious
• USC football: The ‘weird’ Corp-Barkley dynamic
• USC football: Brown, Hall awaiting academic clearance
• USC football: Signals won’t stop Matt Barkley
• USC football: Shareece Wright happy, healthy

Post from: USC

Here are our thoughts on the guys that stood out in last nights presentation. Full bios and direct quotes from Pete Carroll after the jump.

John Martinez, OL, 4-STAR
Just a nasty, pancake blocking guard. He can get down field too (a la Jeff Byers). Highlight after highlight he would pull from his guard position, run and then just destroy someone. They want him to play center. He will be a cornerstone of a future O-line group.

Kevin Graf, OL, 4-STAR
This guy is 6'6" and 315 pounds. He looked like the green giant against his high school peers.

Matt Barkley, QB, 5-STAR
Not much needs to be said. #1 player in the country. Big arm. Can read defenses. Dedicated. His eyes were nearly popping out of his head when he spoke to the coaches following Mark Sanchez's departure.

De'Von Flournoy, WR, 4-STAR
Holy cow. Not sure if we have ever seen a highlight reel like his. There were over 20 plays. And not one that didn't go for a touchdown. Very impressive speed and sense of other players around him.

Jacob Harfman, K, 2-STAR
A little shorter than David Buehler but definitely of the same mold (a big, physical kicker). He can do it all — placekicking and punts. He was 3 for 3 over 50 yards and has kicked a 70 yarder in practice. He has incredible hangtime on his kickoffs if anyone ever does decide to take it out, they will be met with the Trojans special teams before getting to the 20. The ball just explodes off his foot.

Hebron Fangupo, DT, 4-STAR
Great penetration up the middle, even while drawing double teams on every play.

James Boyd, DE, 4-STAR
An incredible athlete that was actually the starting QB for his high school too. He is a freaking defensive end! He plays basketball too (and averages 25 points and 22 rebounds).

Devon Kennard, DE, 5-STAR
A prototypical freak defensive end. Hopefully with a more malleable attitude than Everson Griffen.

Frankie Telfort, LB, 4-STAR
He ran a 4.39. He is a cerebral player. He wants to major pre-med. He has a cool name. He has potential to be a really, really special player.

Jarvis Jones, LB, 4-STAR
A mean hitter that doesn't take any wasted steps before blowing up his opponent. Impressive.

Jawanza Starling, DB, 4-STAR
Another mean hitter. He is going to play baseball for SC too.