Hackett Likes His Backfield Options

USC has a crowded backfield, and other than wishing he could trade a spare running back for an offensive lineman, Coach Paul Hackett is pleased with what he sees.

“The group that has really jumped out at me is this running back group,” he said.

Chad Morton, the small but speedy junior who switched from defense last season, is penciled as the starter, with sophomore Malaefou MacKenzie and freshmen Sultan McCullough and Frank Strong giving chase, along with several other veterans and a crowd of fullbacks as well.

But unlike the competition at quarterback, USC doesn’t have to pick just one ballcarrier.

“I don’t have a problem playing more than one guy at all,” said Hackett, who is concerned about Morton’s durability because of his size and likes the option to alternate runners with different speeds and styles.

MacKenzie, who started two games last season as a freshman, said he is quicker after trimming about 20 pounds from his 6-foot, 220-pound frame.

McCullough rushed for 2,145 yards last season at Pasadena Muir and had a wind-aided 100-meter time of 10.24 seconds that was the second-fastest in the nation in 1997.

“I want to try to get in the rotation with Morton and the running backs like Malaefou,” McCullough said. “Get in that rotation and get the plays down pat so if I do get a chance, I won’t make any mistakes.”

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Recruit Windrell Hayes is due in San Joaquin County Superior Court in Stockton today to plead guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge in a bad-check scam after fulfilling part of his plea-bargain agreement Tuesday by meeting with Lodi police. Hayes, who had been facing felony charges, also must make $8,500 restitution.

His court appearance would clear the way for the receiver to report to camp almost immediately if he is sentenced to probation or community service. Although the law allows for a sentence of up to one year in county jail, Hayes has no prior record.

Hackett said it is still possible Hayes will play in the Aug. 30 opener against Purdue.

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Freshman quarterback Jason Thomas’ activity was seriously limited by stiffness caused by scar tissue in the left ankle he broke last season. With Mike Van Raaphorst the expected starter for the first game, the battle shaping up is probably between veteran John Fox and freshman Carson Palmer for No. 2. . . . Backup kicker Adam Rendon, suspended by Hackett before spring drills for an unspecified team rules violation, has not been allowed to rejoin the team and Hackett said he’ll make a decision on the senior’s future after training camp.