USC football: Lineman Aundrey Walker making strides in return

USC’s offensive line is rounding into shape.

Left tackle Chad Wheeler, left guard Toa Lobendahn, center Max Tuerk, right guard Khaliel Rodgers and right tackle Zach Banner have consistently worked as the first-team unit.

And with less than two weeks remaining before the Aug. 30 season opener against Fresno State, senior Aundrey Walker is showing signs of possibly contributing.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Walker, who started 18 games at guard and tackle, has been slow to recover from ankle surgery that forced him to sit out spring practice.

Twice during training camp, Coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters that Walker had been cleared by doctors and indicated that the Ohio native needed to assert himself.

Over the weekend, he apparently began to do so.

Walker “made some nice strides here over the last 48 hours,” Sarkisian said Sunday. “I thought his best practice was [Saturday] from a competitive standpoint, which was good for him.

“So, hopefully, we can keep working him back in there.”