COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : USC : Freshman Russell Impressive So Far

Freshman Darrell Russell continues to impress everyone in USC’s early workouts.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive end from St. Augustine High in San Diego has shown speed and strength, even working against senior Tony Boselli, an All-American offensive tackle. He spun around the 320-pound Boselli in a pass-blocking drill Saturday.

During fitness drills before practice, Russell had a 28-inch vertical leap.

“Russell will be heard from this year--he’s gifted,” Coach John Robinson said.

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Robinson erupted in a running drill Sunday, when guard Chris Brymer didn’t knock down a tackling dummy with sufficient zeal to please the coach.

Brymer was pulling on a tailback run play, and the dummy was supposed to simulate a safety. Brymer sort of leaned on it.

Robinson: “Brymer! I want you to knock that dummy down! This is your chance, Brymer. Don’t you realize that defensive backs call guys like you big, fat . . . ? This is your chance to get even!”

Next time, Brymer flattened the dummy.

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Senior kicker Cole Ford, who sat out seven games last season because of a back injury, has been booming 50-yard field goals in practice routinely, making it likely that freshman Adam Abrams will be redshirted.

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Injuries: Starting offensive guard Kris Pollack sat out Sunday’s practices wearing a neck brace. He suffered neck spasms during Saturday’s practice.