Thomas Down, but Not Out

Freshman quarterback Jason Thomas, a prized recruit from Compton Dominguez High, is struggling with his situation at USC after falling among the also-rans at quarterback.

“It’s hard to swallow,” Thomas said Monday. “I did get an opportunity. I have to be a man about it.”

Thomas, limited by scar tissue in the left ankle he broke last year and extra weight he didn’t take off this summer, is not only far behind starter Mike Van Raaphorst but was quickly overtaken by Carson Palmer, the other prized freshman, for the second spot.

Both Thomas’ parents and Coach Paul Hackett have been busy counseling Thomas to stay with it--”every three or four hours,” Hackett said.

“It’s tough, but life ain’t easy,” Thomas said. “I came to college knowing I’d face a physical challenge. I never understood how difficult it would be mentally. The strong survive.”

Thomas faulted himself for not working hard enough to rehabilitate his ankle or lose 20 extra pounds. USC probably will ask him to sit out this season and Thomas said he wouldn’t balk.

“Why not? There’s no need to waste a year.”

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USC had two big hitters for one position with Grant Pearsall and David Gibson battling at starting safety.

Hackett found a way to play both by moving Gibson to starting weakside linebacker, a decision that bumped Darryl Knight--the brother of former Trojan Sammy Knight--who was set to start as a redshirt freshman.

“[Pearsall and Gibson] consistently rank in the top 10 guys on our defense,” Hackett said. “We wanted to see them both on the field.”

Pearsall promptly twisted his right knee and is expected to be sidelined for a couple of days and probably will miss USC’s next scrimmage, but should be OK.

The decision meant more counseling for Hackett, this time with Knight and his family.

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Tight end Antoine Harris injured his right ankle and, though X-rays were negative, is being held out of practice. . . . Palmer sat out part of the morning practice because of tendinitis in his left knee and will wear a supportive band on the knee, but returned in the afternoon.