COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : USC : Fields Enjoying Move to Outside

After spending his first three seasons moving from one position to another, senior Scott Fields has finally found a starting role at outside linebacker for the Trojans.

Fields, an all-state running back at La Puente Bishop Amat, arrived at USC as a safety but mainly played on special teams as a freshman. The next season, Fields was switched to tailback, where he started one game and rushed for 231 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior, Fields was moved back to safety, where he shared playing time with Sammy Knight.

“My biggest problem in playing safety was that I was used to going forward, instead of reading pass first,” said Fields, who has added 29 pounds since his freshman year to his 6-foot-3 frame and now weighs 224. “Now, I have to retrain myself and go forward first and then look for pass.”

Fields, who had off-season shoulder surgery, has worked with the starting defensive unit since the start of training camp and is expected to play a major role in the Trojans’ new 5-2 defense.

“I am comfortable playing linebacker because I like to attack,” Fields said. “Actually, having played safety is now an asset for me because I know how to cover compared to before.”

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Cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, one of the top freshman recruits in the nation, is not listed as a starter yet, but he has put himself into position to compete for playing time with Mario Bradley, Brian Kelly, Ken Haslip and Quincy Harrison.

“Competition at cornerback is hotter than Fourth of July in Zaire, Africa,” secondary coach Dennis Thurman said. “They are just great athletes who want to play.”

McCutcheon, the son of former Ram running back Lawrence, said that competition is the reason why he decided to attend USC.

“In high school, I was always faster than everyone else, so when I made a mistake, my speed saved me,” McCutcheon said. “I can’t do that here. I have to really work on my technique and Dennis Thurman is a great coach to learn from.”

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USC received a surprise visit in Friday’s morning practice from UCLA linebacker Donnie Edwards. When Edwards saw quarterback Kyle Wachholtz, Edwards said: “I should go introduce myself to him because I hope to see him a lot when we play in November.”