Booty’s Mechanics Impress Carroll

Quarterback John David Booty got a chance to show USC Coach Pete Carroll what he could do on Wednesday as the Trojans practiced for the first time in preparation for their Aug. 30 opener at Auburn.

Booty, a 6-foot-3 freshman from Louisiana who skipped his senior year in high school, impressed Carroll and teammates with his arm strength, his passing touch and command of the huddle during a three-hour afternoon practice session.

“He’s got real natural mechanics -- he was very accurate for the first day out,” Carroll said. “He threw a lot of balls right on the money.... He has excellent tools. You can’t hide it.”

Booty, who is wearing No. 17, is one of five quarterbacks competing to replace Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer. He said he tried to relax and absorb the coaching he received on each play.

“You don’t have to be Drew Bledsoe to play, or Carson even,” Booty said. “As long as you complete balls and win, I think that’s all they care about.”

New NCAA rules limit the time players can spend on the field during training camp, so USC is splitting its squad during the first four practice days. Most veterans worked out in the morning, including quarterbacks Matt Leinart -- a sophomore who was named the starter at the end of spring practice -- junior transfer Brandon Hance and sophomore Billy Hart.

Junior Matt Cassel split repetitions with Booty in the afternoon.

Carroll and offensive coordinator Norm Chow said they were pleased by the play of all the quarterbacks.

“I thought Matt Leinart did an exceptional job this morning,” Chow said. “[Booty] looked good.... He made a lot of mistakes but hung in there.”

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Carroll said he liked what he saw from freshmen running backs Reggie Bush, LenDale White and Chauncey Washington.

“Reggie has this really cool speed and wiggle. LenDale ran big and you could just see how strong he was ... and Chauncey did a little bit of all of that. They all caught the ball really well,” Carroll said.

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Sophomore tackle Winston Justice said he was happy to be back on the field and concentrating on football.

Justice, 18, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of solicitation of prostitution last month.

“It’s in the past,” Justice said. “I’m looking forward to the season.”

Carroll has said that he would not comment on what, if any, team disciplinary action Justice might face.

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Senior tight end Alex Holmes did not practice because of a sore back that has plagued him since taking a hit in the Orange Bowl. Holmes is receiving rehabilitation treatments twice a day but said there was no timeline for when he might be able to begin practicing. Freshman Kurt Katnik has been moved from center to tight end to provide depth.... Freshman defensive lineman Manuel Wright twisted his left ankle with about 45 minutes left in the afternoon workout and was taken to the trainers’ room on a cart.... Carroll said that offensive lineman John Drake, a transfer from Long Beach Community College, did not practice because the school is still awaiting a transcript.... Junior defensive tackle Shaun Cody and sophomore middle linebacker Oscar Lua, both coming off major knee surgery, said they felt fine during the morning workout and were almost at full strength.... Hance also said he felt no ill effects after a summer that included arthroscopic procedures on his shoulder and knee and a bout of viral meningitis.... Senior offensive lineman Eric Torres, who suffered a broken ankle in the Orange Bowl, went through individual drills and said he “was at about 75%.”