Lewis Getting Several Looks

Freshman Whitney Lewis, regarded as the gem of USC’s heralded recruiting class, moved from wide receiver to fullback Monday as the Trojans began experimenting with one of their most versatile recruits.

“We’re just trying to see what we’ve got and get a feel for how we can fit him in the offense,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

Lewis, who played receiver, running back and kick returner at Ventura St. Bonaventure High, said he was not surprised because Carroll told him during recruiting that he envisioned Lewis in a multifaceted role similar to the one Malaefou MacKenzie played last season.

Lewis, listed at 6 feet 1, appears heavier than his listed 225 pounds and has been trying to lose weight since arriving at training camp last week. He played receiver in the morning workout, then moved to the backfield in the afternoon as the Trojans had their first double-workout day.

“They said, ‘Hey, look, let’s come out here and let’s give this a shot and try this out,’ ” Lewis said.

Carroll said the Trojans need to find ways to get the ball into Lewis’ hands.

“He can catch the ball in all kinds of situations, and he’s as natural as you can get,” Carroll said. “It encourages you to want to see ways you can get him opportunities to catch the ball and take off running and make something happen.”

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Freshman quarterback John David Booty, who sat out for the second straight day because of back stiffness, said he had an MRI exam before training camp because of soreness and family history.

Booty’s brother Abram was hampered by back problems during his career as a receiver at Louisiana State.

“I don’t think anything even showed up,” he said of the MRI results.

Carroll said Booty’s status for today’s scrimmage would be determined after a morning walkthrough.

Sophomore Matt Leinart is maintaining his status as No. 1 on the depth chart, but Carroll said junior transfer Brandon Hance “is making some noise out there,” by taking advantage of repetitions that otherwise would’ve been handled by Booty.

“His opportunity is now,” Carroll said of Hance.

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Hot, muggy conditions in the morning and the workload of the previous five days appeared to sap the Trojans, who are expected to encounter sweltering conditions for the opener Aug. 30 at Auburn.

More than 10 players were held out of practice as a precaution because of nagging injuries or other conditions.

“We’re bogged down a little bit,” Carroll said after the morning workout.

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Freshman safety Darnell Bing, who had lost nine pounds in two days, sat out most of the morning practice. He received fluids intravenously and participated in some drills in the afternoon.... Former USC offensive lineman John Michels, a No. 1 draft pick who played on the Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl championship team during the 1996 season, watched part of the morning workout and said he is hoping to start medical school at USC next year.