Freshmen Will Step Up in Class

Freshmen orientation ended Saturday for USC.

After four days of split-squad workouts that allowed Coach Pete Carroll and his staff to evaluate newcomers and veterans in separate three-hour sessions, more than 100 players will practice together for the first time today.

It also will be the Trojans’ first practice in full pads.

Reggie Bush and fellow freshmen running backs LenDale White and Chauncey Washington, all of whom are expected to push sophomore starter Hershel Dennis, recognize that a more important evaluation period is just beginning as the Trojans prepare for their Aug. 30 opener at Auburn.

“What we’ve done so far counts, but it doesn’t really count for too much,” Bush said Saturday. “Like our coach told us today, ‘It’s a whole different ballgame when you’re in there with people who know their stuff.’ ”

Freshmen offensive linemen are still expected to receive plenty of work to compensate for the absence of upperclassmen Jacob Rogers, Travis Watkins and Eric Torres, all of whom are nursing injuries.

Freshmen tackle Drew Radovich said lining up across from one of the nation’s best defensive lines would be a challenge after absorbing so much new information.

“It’s going to be faster,” Radovich said. “We have to learn from the older guys and, when we get in there, battle.”

Repetitions for all players will be reduced because of the numbers, but Carroll said freshmen quarterback John David Booty would receive plenty of chances.

“He’s shown the kind of stuff that makes it really interesting to keep getting him turns and see how far he can go,” Carroll said.

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Sophomore transfer Lofa Tatupu has established himself as the leader in the competition to start at middle linebacker, Carroll said.

Tatupu, who played at Maine in 2001, is ahead of sophomore Oscar Lua, who is coming off December knee surgery and did not practice Saturday.

Tatupu, 6 feet and 225 pounds, would fill the void left by Mike Pollard.

“You barely ever saw [Pollard] get beat,” Tatupu said. “He wasn’t the heaviest but he always got the job done. I’m trying to learn from that.”

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Redshirt sophomore Frostee Rucker, a transfer from Colorado State, is on track to play as a defensive end on third-down passing situations. Rucker, 6-4 and 240, was moved from linebacker during spring practice.

“I can use my speed to get around the edge,” he said. “Linemen can’t block me because they’re too slow.”

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Cornerback Ronald Nunn sat out the morning workout because of a groin strain.... Receiver Steve Smith missed a second day because of hamstring cramping.