Redshirt Tackle Baker Is Working on Perfection

Sam Baker is listed as USC’s starting left tackle on the spring-ending depth chart that Coach Pete Carroll announced Friday, but the redshirt freshman said the real work is about to begin.

“I have to use this time to get even better so when I come out to [fall] camp I’m just smoking and everything is crisp and perfect,” said Baker, who is slated to replace All-American Jacob Rogers. “Camp is test time. You’ve just got to be ready.”

Baker, who is 6 feet 5 and 315 pounds, worked primarily at guard during training camp before last season. Since moving to tackle, the former Tustin High star has flourished.

“In high school they used to always tell me I tried to be too athletic inside,” Baker said. “Being in more space, it’s kind of easier to be that way.”

Defensive tackle Manuel Wright’s size and athleticism allowed the Trojans to move All-American candidate Shaun Cody to end. Wright, who is 6-6, reported last August weighing 345 pounds. He is down to 283.

“I dropped the weight and I’ve been learning technique,” Wright said. “I used to just muscle everybody.... I’ve picked up things that have made me better.”

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As expected, sophomores Steve Smith and Whitney Lewis are No. 1 at flanker and wide receiver, respectively. Sophomore Chris McFoy is the back-up flanker, junior William Buchanon the back-up wide receiver.

Running back is the only offensive or defensive position without a designated starter. Junior Hershel Dennis and sophomores LenDale White and Reggie Bush will probably rotate again at the start of the season.

“It keeps us on our toes and lets us know none of us can really slack because if we do the other one is going to go up,” Dennis said.

With Brandon Hancock out for next season after knee surgery, fifth-year senior Lee Webb held off junior David Kirtman and won the starting fullback spot.

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USC will hold its last practice today. The Trojans will scrimmage, but not in full pads.... Sixth-year senior Kevin Arbet, listed behind junior Justin Wyatt at left cornerback, has taken part in light workouts this week after sitting out the first three weeks of spring practice to rest his twice surgically repaired foot.

Quarterback Matt Leinart was held out of most drills Friday because of a sore elbow, Carroll said.... Though the Trojans have seven tight ends listed on the their depth chart, offensive coordinator Norm Chow said there have been no discussions about moving senior Matt Cassel back to quarterback. Cassel recently broke a bone in his foot while fielding a ball for the Trojan baseball team.... Lineman Ryan Watson, a redshirt freshman who had been switched from defense to offense, returned to to defense.

Carroll met former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden for the first time earlier this week after Wooden spoke to a USC class. Carroll said Friday that reading one of Wooden’s books during a year away from coaching in 2000 “helped me become more pointed philosophically,” and that Wooden “had a profound effect on what I’ve been doing.” ... USC players received Tivo recorders on Friday for participating in the Rose Bowl.