USC receiver Steven Mitchell Jr. says there’s more in store after promising start
Trojans receiver Steven Mitchell breaks a tackle by Arkansas State defensive back Cody Brown to score a touchdown in the season opener.
USC receiver Steven Mitchell Jr. has turned four of his 13 catches into touchdowns this season. But the third-year sophomore apparently has shown only some of his moves.
“Man, there’s a lot more to see,” he said. “I promise.”
Mitchell’s next opportunity comes Oct. 8 when the Trojans host Washington in a Pac-12 Conference Thursday night game.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Mitchell is second on the Trojans in receptions. Sophomore JuJu Smith-Schuster has 27 catches, six for touchdowns.
Mitchell caught two touchdown passes in the Trojans’ 41-31 loss to Stanford on Sept. 19. He had four receptions in last week’s 42-14 victory at Arizona State, including one for a 27-yard touchdown.
“After a loss like Stanford, everybody thinks the world is ending, but we just knew what we were going to go in there and do,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell suffered a knee injury before his freshman season in 2013. He was slowed by recovery from surgery and also an abdominal issue early last season, but came on to finish with seven catches, two for touchdowns.
He moved into a starting a role this season with Smith-Schuster and junior Darreus Rogers.
Coach Steve Sarkisian said Mitchell provides the Trojans with another play-making threat.
“He’s dynamic with the ball in his hand, that’s for sure,” Sarkisian said.
Leading tackler
Linebacker Cameron Smith is working this week on catching the ball.
The freshman has played well — he has started every game and made a team-best 30 tackles — but has lost two opportunities for interceptions.
Smith recorded his first sack in the victory over Arizona State.
Smith enrolled at USC in January so that he could participate in spring practice. The decision gave him a head start on three other heralded freshman linebackers, Osa Masina, Porter Gustin and John Houston Jr.
Asked if he had envisioned starting and leading the team in tackles, Smith said, “I think you have to. You have to see yourself in the best place, the best scenario possible.
“My goal was to start, and come in here and contribute as quickly as possible. I would say I was envisioning that, but I never knew it would end up turning out like this.”
Twitter: @latimesklein
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
