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USC hears more pads popping but doesn’t yet know if physicality has improved

Utah graduate transfer Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, shown applying pressure against BYU last season, has been a positive influence this summer for USC.
(Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
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The defense surged across the south sideline at f the Coliseum and onto the field, players unable to contain their excitement. Some squealed in delight. Pads popped. More often than not, the defense, wearing white, was tattooing the offense, in red.

USC practiced in full pads for the first time during training camp Monday, a test particularly for the unproven defensive line. In spring practices, Coach Clay Helton said, the offense usually won these skirmishes.

This time, when USC ran a goal-line drill, the defense held. With series starting at the 10-yard line, the offense scored only once in four tries. Helton called it “the highlight of the day.”

Overall, the defensive line’s performance has been mixed.

“Really,” defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said, “they’ve been fairly inconsistent.”

There have been exceptions. Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, a graduate transfer from Utah, “was a great addition for us,” Pendergast said. “He’s mature. He’s played. He’s been around. This is a really young room.”

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A lack of physicality nagged USC last season. It was glaring in two games against Stanford, but the overall numbers were middling too. USC gave up 149 yards a game on the ground, a mediocre 41st in the nation.

USC has, tentatively, expressed optimism that this camp signaled improvement. But players and coaches cautioned that it can be difficult to gauge.

“I think that that’s too soon,” linebacker Michael Hutchings said.

Helton said he hasn’t witnessed much softness but acknowledged he won’t know for sure until games begin.

“You go against your own guys, and you feel really good,” Helton said. “But until you actually step foot on the field with what I think is going to be a very physical football team in Alabama, we won’t be able to address where we’re at.”

Smith nears full speed

Linebacker Cameron Smith, recovering from a 2015 knee surgery, has begun participating in limited full-team activities.

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“I feel great,” Smith said. “I have zero pain, and they know that. They just don’t want me to go out there and just let loose.”

When Smith has been held out, Hutchings and Quinton Powell have taken the first-team repetitions at inside linebacker.

“They’ve been very consistent,” Pendergast said. “Mike is kind of the ring leader of the defense because he played the whole spring at the middle linebacker position.”

Jackson backtracks on kickoffs

Adoree’ Jackson is backing off on his prediction from Pac-12 Media Days that he would return only an occasional kick to focus mainly on punt returns and defense. Special teams coach John Baxter has convinced him otherwise.

“Coach Baxter’s awesome, that’s the only thing I can say,” Jackson said. “He actually taught me how to return.”

Jackson said he didn’t want to pass up a chance for touchdowns.

“They’re out they’re blocking, opening up holes a bus can run through, so, I mean, I don’t mind that,” Jackson said.

Quick hits

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JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a dislocated pinky Monday. The training staff popped it back in, but the coaching staff left him off the field. … John Plattenburg (concussion protocol), Vavae Malepeai (shoulder stinger) and Rasheem Green (elbow and triceps bruise) were all pulled from practice. … Chad Wheeler (plantar fasciitis) did not practice. … Noah Jefferson, who hasn’t practiced yet, underwent an MRI on his back Monday and USC is awaiting results. … USC practiced with Pac-12 referees and Helton plans to do so five or six times throughout camp.

zach.helfand@latimes.com

Twitter: @zhelfand

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