Lewis Plays Catch-Up

Whitney Lewis is trying to make up for lost time.

After struggling last season as a freshman, Lewis has been perhaps the Trojans’ most impressive player through the first two days of spring practice.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound receiver appears to be taking full advantage of the opportunity that was presented when flanker Keary Colbert completed his eligibility and receiver Mike Williams decided to enter the NFL draft.

“I didn’t contribute last year like I was supposed to,” said Lewis, who caught three passes for 27 yards. “I’m starting to get in my mode and my motor is starting to go. I’m learning, and playing faster, and it feels great.”

Lewis has looked nothing like the player who reported to training camp overweight and then struggled through assorted injuries and position switches.

In January, a few weeks after USC won a share of the national championship, he was among the first players on the track at 6 a.m. for the first day of off-season conditioning. He also has applied himself in the weight room.

On Tuesday, Lewis continued to impress Trojan players and coaches with the speed and pass-catching ability that made him the most highly regarded member of the USC’s 2003 recruiting class.

“Whitney is looking way more explosive and he’s showing he has strong hands,” receiver Steve Smith said. “He’s showing he can make plays and that makes me and everyone else want to step up too.”

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Coach Pete Carroll addressed Winston Justice’s situation with the team for the first time since the offensive lineman was arrested last week on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

Justice is suspended from school indefinitely and is ineligible for spring practice.

“When stuff happens like that, wherever it happens, you get alerted,” Carroll said. “It can serve as an opportunity for other guys to learn how to look out for problems.”