The Trojans’ very recent past was a bye week that gave the coaches a glimpse at the future.

Freshman safeties T.J. McDonald (right) and Jawanza Starling received a ton of invaluable reps, and it isn’t difficult to envision the pair starting side by side sometime soon.

The thing defensive coordinator and secondary coach Rocky Seto likes best about them? They’re quick studies.

“They learn their lessons,” Seto said late last week.

“They may be out of position (on one play), and then they get it, which is neat. They’ve taken, I don’t know, 70 reps the last couple days. Think about those 70 lessons.”

The coaching staff obviously was impressed from the start with McDonald, who became the second-string strong safety despite missing a large chunk of training camp because of a sprained ankle.

“Some guys come in a little more prepared than others,” said Seto, who compared McDonald to recent Trojan Kevin Ellison. It’s no coincidence that both come from football families, T.J. having played for father Tim McDonald, a former USC All-American and NFL All-Pro.

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: A most productive weekend
• USC football: The value and versatility of Garrett Green
• USC football: 5 games that mean something to the Trojans
• USC football: The latest on Stafon Johnson’s recovery
• USC football: Carroll hits recruiting trail feeling good
• USC football: Is Mustain No. 2 on the depth chart?
• USC football: Rick Neuheisel burns on Trojans
• USC football: Everson Griffen isn’t satisfied
• USC football: ‘Marvelous’ test results for Stafon Johnson
• USC football: Armond Armstead ahead of schedule

Post from: USC

The offense got off to a strong start, but they were inconsistent and fumbled more than they should have, but on the bright side, coaches opened up the playbook and allowed Matt Barkley to complete some deep passes. However this offense, and the receiving game in particular, needs to play better. Trojan fans eagerly await the return of the fastest receiver, Ronald Johnson, who suffered a shoulder injury in the scrimmage game in August.

This defense is impressive. They almost held the Cougars to a shutout if it were not for Aaron Corp's fumble late in the game. Defensive back Marshall Jones and defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo each suffered season ending injuries in this game. Injuries are part of the game, and this is why it never hurts to have depth like USC does. Pete Carroll and coaching staff "stockpile" talent, and given the current waves of injuries, this is when the depth is tested.

The Skinny's heard from a very good source the NCAA is still about 9 to 12 months away from any type of announcement regarding USC.

After the jump find out why the Skinny thinks SC could be playing in the National Title game.

Ever wonder what a coach might say about a quarterback competition the day before he announces a pecking order?

You're in luck!

USC coach Pete Carroll stopped by for a chat with the Pac-10 blog on Monday, the day before he announced on his Web site that Aaron Corp would emerge from spring practices No. 1 on the quarterback depth chart, ahead of true freshman Matt Barkley and Mitch Mustain.

	Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
	Pete Carroll boasts an 88-15 record since arriving at USC.

That bit of stolen thunder aside -- and the announcement was mostly a foregone conclusion -- it's never a bad time to talk with a coach who's 88-15 in eight years at USC and has finished ranked in the top four of the AP poll seven consecutive seasons.

After all, he's got a new book deal to benefit his charity, A Better LA, and a new Web site for kids.

And he's got a football team that likely will be favored to win its eighth consecutive Pac-10 championship and again compete for a national title.

Word on the street is you guys have an intense quarterback competition going on over there: Where does that stand?

Pete Carroll: Guys have really battled hard and done well. We're pleased with the play at the quarterback position. The competition is going to continue. We'll name a guy who's going to start the spring game for us and then the competition will just continue. We've got to call something here after a month of playing. We'll find out what happens when we get back to camp in the fall.

You've told me in the past you prefer to anoint a quarterback as early as possible to allow him to develop into a clear leader: How will that be a part of the decision in the fall?

PC: We'd like to do that [name a starter], but you've got to do the right thing and let the competition play itself out. What that means is, in the past when we named Matt Leinart over Matt Cassel, it meant that Leinart was going first and Cassel was battling him. The competition remained on. It will be the same situation. It's a very hard-fought, close competition and in fairness it's going to take longer to know exactly what we are going to do for the long haul.

It seems like running backs Curtis McNeal and Marc Tyler have asserted themselves this spring: Have they done enough to eclipse the established guys?

PC: I don't think there's any question Curtis McNeal has. Marc Tyler has been hurt most of the spring -- he's only had a couple of days when he's full speed. He's done well. But McNeal has taken advantage of the opportunity to be out there every day and he's really been effective.

<!--more--> You guys are pretty much rebuilding your front seven: How has that gone so far and who is having a great spring?

PC: Malcolm Smith, Chris Galippo and Mike Morgan, our linebackers have really jumped to the front and given us really good play. They've been out there every day battling. They give us good speed and athleticism and they've all played the last couple of years. Now they take over, they look like they are going to be really nice players for us. We're really excited about them. [Defensive end] Everson Griffen has had his best camp by far. Armond Armstead, we moved to strongside defensive end, has had a great camp too.

It seems like, on paper, this is your most experienced and talented secondary. How good is this secondary going to be?

PC: Led by Taylor Mays, such a solid guy playing in the middle back there, and Kevin Thomas had a great year at corner playing for us last year. Shareece Wright was a starter for us before he got hurt, and Josh Pinkard returns and he started at corner last year and is playing safety now and can play some corner for us. Also, [safety] Will Harris who's started a bunch of games is back. So it's as good a secondary as we've had since we've been here. We have really high expectations for these guys to be aggressive and really be a factor.

What does Rocky Seto, promoted this offseason to defensive coordinator, bring to the defense?

PC: He's been around since the outset of this program, so Rocky brings us great continuity and really in-depth direction of the littlest things that we are doing to the biggest things we are doing. He's been a big factor. He's had a great spring with these guys. I think we are as good as we've ever been at hawking the football, which is great. He has the most background of anyone I've been around in our specific stuff. He gives us great insights and great leadership there.

With Jeremy Bates and John Morton now running the offense: What have they changed this spring?

PC: Nothing has changed. Nothing's changed on defense really. We're just continuing to try to recapture the spirit of the offense and make sure we're utilizing our personnel well. The familiarity between Jeremy and the rest of the guys has been going along beautifully. When you're developing a quarterback, a lot of the focus goes to the quarterback position and Jeremy has done a good job of making sense of all that, so those guys have performed well. And we've also continue to do our installation like we have to do to keep this thing going. They've gotten along great. Jeremy has called all the plays in our scrimmages and our practices that isn't normal scripted stuff so he can work at it and practice at it, too. He's totally up to speed and has done a great job so far.

Running the Pac-10 blog, it seems like a rivalry has developed between the SEC and USC: Any chance we're going to get a matchup between the Trojans and an SEC power any time soon?

PC: I don't know. We've played a bunch of SEC schools over the years -- well, not a bunch -- we've played SEC schools and when we do we enjoy that matchup [USC went 4-0 in home-and-home series with Auburn and Arkansas, winning by a combined margin of 167-48]. There's nothing we can do about schedules that are already set. At the end of the year, if we are fortunate enough to play against those guys, we'd look forward to it.

Are you learning to live with the BCS process, or are you ready to lead a march on Washington to get the system changed?

PC: I don't have a better system for it. I advocate a playoff. Everybody in America wants a playoff -- in any sport, at any level, no matter where you are, to find out who the champions are. We want to do the same thing.

Heard about your new book deal that's going to benefit your non-profit, A Better LA, anything you want to get the word out about?

PC: We've been hard at it to help fight the violence and things that are going on in the streets here and make sure we're doing our part. We've been very active for a number of years and have worked hard to continue to generate funds for the foundation, so we do have a book thing we are working on to bring proceeds to "A Better LA" and to enhance our fundraising efforts as we go along.

Carroll was less enthusiastic about Barkley after an interception in passing shells: "(Barkley) had a rough time in the 7-on-7 (pass drills).'' Pete consoled himself by smoking reporters in a foot race to his office, where he spent the rest of the day starting a ghost story blog with defensive coordinator Rocky Seto and Tweeting Jimmy Fallon about Will Ferrell.

• Instant impact. Neither Bryce Brown nor David Oku is on campus yet, but both of Tennessee's post-signing day recruiting coups are making their presence felt in the Vol backfield this spring: Lennon Creer, a highly touted recruit his own self two years ago, saw the writing on the wall and will "go in a different direction" rather than battle with the incoming freshmen. There may be more to the decision than potential playing time -- as Creer was one of the brighter spots in last year's backfield rotation at 5.3 yards per carry, he'd seem to have more than a fighting chance at at least maintaining his share of the work -- but until Brown and Oku arrive, UT will be alarmingly thin: Of the three backs remaining on the spring roster, only Montario Hardesty figures to get any significant carries in the fall.

In other notable transfer news: Jason Hannan, Rivals' top-ranked center recruit in 2007, has decided to leave Oklahoma for parts unknown; and UCLA quarterback Chris Forcier -- who, apparently lost in the Bruins' QB shuffle, announced he would transfer at the start of the week and was reportedly looking at Ball State and Purdue -- will return to UCLA, after all, and give wide receiver a try.

• Why hello, NRA. Would you like some cookies to go with your mounting rage? There must be more to the story than this, there must be. But for the time being, it appears backup Northwestern guard Jeff Radek was kicked off the team for possessing a BB gun. This isn't even a university issue -- it's ... municipal:

Evanston Police arrested Weinberg freshman Jeffrey W. Radek of Bobb Hall, 2305 Sheridan Road, on Monday for having a BB gun, authorities said.

The city of Evanston prohibits the possession of any "air rifle," which includes BB guns, air guns, spring guns and pellet guns, Evanston Police Department Cmdr. Tom Guenther said.

Somebody called police when they saw Radek with the gun, Guenther said.

For comment, we turn to Evanston's favorite son and Northwestern's most famous alum, standing by:

Oh. Never mind then.

Quickly ... Diminutive early enrollee Vincent Smith is popping eyes at Michigan practices. Another early enrollee, Tate Forcier, some more things. ... Getting to the bottom of the Nick Saban-Bobby Massie rumor carousel. ... Florida is ready for its championship rings, even ex-blue chip defensive tackle Omar Hunter, who needs a big spring after failing to step on the field last year. ... The battle to replace LeSean McCoy as Pitt's No. 1 tailback will carry over into the season. ... Why is Texas asking its right-footed punter to kick left-footed? ... Are South Carolina's offensive linemen afraid to block Eric Norwood? ... Oklahoma State is looking for dividends from Richetti Jones and Terrence Anderson, two seniors who haven't lived up to epectations. ... Barry Alvarez continues his tour of old haunts by stumping for his mentor, Bob Devaney. ... At least someone in Starkville bleeds maroon (though Mark Hudspeth might want to get that checked). ... Southern Miss will hold races for the student body at halftime of its spring game. ... Steve Sarkisian turned over his Twitter feed Thursday to an assistant for a sort of play-by-play of Washington's scrimmage, complete with awful pictures. ... Once again, Ron Zook is breaking news -- from the practice field? ... And do you love football?? Tim Brewster sure does!! I'm signing with the Gophers!!!!!

Carroll also announced Wednesday night that linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. would take on the additional title of assistant head coach/defense and that former Trojans assistant Jethro Franklin would return to the staff as defensive line coach.

Seto last month turned down the opportunity to become the defensive coordinator at Washington, where former USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is now the coach. Sarkisian initially pursued Trojans defensive coordinator Nick Holt, who at first declined before changing his mind late last week. He officially joined the Huskies staff Monday.

One of the selling points for Seto to remain at USC was the possibility of eventually becoming defensive coordinator. It happened sooner than later.

“He’s earned his way to that position,” Carroll said of Seto, whose tenure at USC goes back to 1999, exceeding Carroll’s. “He has just become a tremendously valuable guy.”

Seto will remain in the press box during games, and Carroll will continue to be the defensive play-caller.

Carroll last month gave Seto the assistant head coach/defense title that Norton now will assume. Carroll said he didn’t give Norton the new title to entice him to remain with the program. Norton’s name had been linked to the defensive coordinator opening at UCLA, his alma mater.

“It’s more of a recognition of what he’s meant to us and what he’s become,” Carroll said. “He’s a powerful character and personality in our football program, and I want to give him the opportunity to spread his influence.”

Norton and Seto are considered USC’s best recruiters among the assistant coaches. The first day high school players can sign letters of intent is Feb. 4.

A day after bringing Carl Smith back to the program as quarterbacks coach, Carroll rehired Franklin, who served as USC’s defensive line coach in 2005. Franklin spent the past three seasons in the NFL, the past two with the Houston Texans. He will share defensive line duties with David Watson, who did the same with Holt the past three seasons.

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Rocky Seto named defensive coordinator
• USC football: Et tu, Sam Bradford?
• USC football: Report says Orgeron offered D-coordinator position
• USC football: Sanchez no cinch for top 10
• USC football: Reports say Stafford going pro
• USC football poll: Who will be USC’s defensive coordinator?
• USC basketball: Washington ‘doubtful’ for UCLA game
• USC football: Josh Pinkard’s situation
• USC football: And on the other side of the ball …
• USC football: Sanchez ‘right down the middle’

USC secondary coach Rocky Seto denied speculation Tuesday that he might become an assistant coach at Washington, and said he was happy to remain with the Trojans.

Meanwhile, former USC assistant coach Demetrice Martin is a strong candidate for the Huskies' secondary coach position.

Seto is considered a logical candidate to join new coach Steve Sarkisian's staff because he is as familiar with Trojans coach Pete Carroll's defense as any member of the coaching staff.

"Nothing's been offered and there's been no conversations," Seto said. "Nothing at all. You never know what will happen, but right now, I don't see anything. He hasn't offered me a job.

"With all due respect to (Sarkisian), you know how much I love it at USC. It's a dream come true."

Another reason Seto is a potential candidate is because his wife's family lives in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue, Wash.

"We're happy here," Seto said.

Yeah well....

You never know how it will all shake out. To me this is the only draw back to having  coaches moving on to bigger and better things. You never know who is going to follow.

Seto is an up and comer no question but I am just not seeing it that this could be a great move for him but what do I now. The one wild card here is his wife...you know the old saying Happy wife, Happy life!

Ted Miller has a spot-on look at the entire Pac-10. It is concise and worth a read.

In it he sites USC possibly owning a Firstary?

He is talking about the Seconday. He is talking about Kevin Ellison, Taylor Mays, Cary Harris and Shareece Wright. (Josh Pinkard could be in the mix as well, but we expect to see him lose a step or two from not playing for the past couple years due to injury.)

This physical crew gave up only nine touchdown passes a year ago -- the second-best total in the (Pac-10) conference was 17.

This is arguably the best secondary Pete Carroll, a DB himself, has ever had.

We sat next to USC's Firstary coach, Rocky Seto, at the A Better LA charity event a couple weeks ago. He spoke modestly of the group, but agreed it could be the key component to USC's defensive success.

As the night wore on, and the drinks kept coming, all we could say is more CB blitzes, more CB blitzes, more CB blitzes. It really is the most exciting defensive play. And a balls out, risk everything moment that captures the spirit of recent Trojan championship teams.

Breaking down the Pac-10 [ESPN]

The scene was on court at the Galen Center again, where a couple times Pete Carroll expressed his desire to see Tim Floyd's bunch hand the Bruins another loss this year.

Carroll said this class was about "bigs" not "flash" and he felt fortunate that the Trojans were in a position to play it this way, this year. Joe McKnight was sure excited about the 5 solid offensive line prospects.

After the jump are some notes from last nights event.