Holmes Has Head Start on Coming Back Strong

Alex Holmes did not play in USC’s Rose Bowl game against Michigan, but he benefited from the preparation.

The senior tight end, who sat out last season because of a back injury suffered in the 2003 Orange Bowl, began working his way into shape in December.

Through the first week of spring practice, the 6-foot-3, 270-pound Holmes is demonstrating the blocking and pass-catching skills that made him the starter in 2002. Holmes said he is not concerned about his back.

“I’m not worried about anything,” he said after practice Thursday. “There’s nothing in the back of my mind. I’m just going out and playing.”

Tight end Dominique Byrd also is participating in spring practice, though not in contact drills. Byrd started in place of Holmes last season and caught 14 passes for 268 yards in six games before a season-ending knee injury against Stanford.

“I wish I could be out there doing everything, but it’s probably better to concentrate on getting ready for the fall,” said Byrd, a 6-3, 255-pound junior. “I’m confident I can come out and fight for a position just as well as anybody else.”

Gregg Guenther, a 6-8, 245-pound senior who started the last seven games, has been playing for USC’s basketball team.

USC is hoping to have all of the tight ends at full strength in late summer when the Trojans begin preparations for their Aug. 28 opener against Virginia Tech.

“Next year, our tight end corps is going to be probably the best in the country,” Holmes said.

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The Trojans are scheduled to practice in full pads today, and Coach Pete Carroll said they would scrimmage the last 30 minutes of the workout.

The practice is closed to the public and open only to coaches who have already registered for USC’s coaching clinic.

The Trojans are off this weekend and next week for spring break.