Jackson Prompts Move for Cody

During spring practice, USC coaches moved senior Shaun Cody from tackle to end to fill the spot vacated by All-American Kenechi Udeze.

Lawrence Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound redshirt freshman end from Inglewood, has apparently caused a change of plan.

Jackson impressed during the spring and through the first two weeks of training camp, allowing Coach Pete Carroll and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron to reconsider how they will use the versatile Cody, a preseason All-American.

As the Trojans prepare for their Aug. 28 opener against Virginia Tech, Jackson is atop the depth chart at end. Cody is playing inside, and he will probably stay there if Jackson continues to show that he can handle his role.

“We’re leaning that way now,” Carroll said Monday.

Jackson said last week that he was given “a crack in the door,” and that he simply pushed his way through after gaining quickness and strength in the Trojans’ off-season conditioning program.

On Monday, he said he was still in a fight to win a starting spot. Though redshirt freshman Chris Barrett is out because of another shoulder injury, junior LaJuan Ramsey is apparently recovered from a hip injury.

“Nothing is set in stone,” Jackson said. “Coach O keeps telling me to keep pushing and keep pushing -- to not take any days off because people are breathing down my neck.

“There’s a lot of work I have to do to get ready.”

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Receiver Mike Williams, who is awaiting word from the NCAA regarding his eligibility status, has returned to his home in Tampa, Fla., Carroll said.

Erik Christianson, the NCAA’s director of media relations, said Monday the NCAA had not received information from USC regarding Williams.

USC planned to supply the NCAA with final documentation early this week. The school is hoping the NCAA rules on the case a few days after.

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With less than two weeks remaining before his team’s first game, Carroll said 95% of the game plan for Virginia Tech had been installed and that the Trojans were starting their final training-camp push.

“You can sense the race now -- the race is on to get to the finish line,” he said.

The Trojans, who had single practices each of the last three days, will practice twice in one day for the final time today.

“Physically, these guys should definitely be over the hump right now and should be getting stronger all the way to game time,” Carroll said.

Several starters, however, are injured or mending.

Sophomore safety Darnell Bing has not practiced for several days because of a sore shoulder. Bing said he is scheduled to have an MRI exam today.

Tight end Alex Holmes (calf strain) and fullback Lee Webb (foot sprain) said they planned to return to practice on Wednesday.

Receiver Steve Smith requested X-rays of his right foot because of lingering soreness, but Smith said the X-rays were negative.

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Receiver Derrick Jones, offensive lineman Chilo Rachal, defensive lineman Thomas Herring and tight end Eugene Germany -- all freshmen -- were still awaiting clearance from the NCAA Clearinghouse at the end of Monday’s practice, said Orgeron, the Trojans’ recruiting coordinator.