Sartz Regains His Starting Spot

Several positions will be undecided when USC releases its end-of-spring depth chart today, but not strong-side linebacker.

Coach Pete Carroll said Thursday that senior Dallas Sartz, a two-year starter who sat out nearly all of last season because of a shoulder injury, regained his spot despite strong play last season by sophomore Brian Cushing, who also is coming off shoulder surgery.

“He’s going with the first group -- there’s no question in my mind,” Carroll said of Sartz, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound fifth-year senior who was injured in the second game against Arkansas.

Sartz, who did not participate in full-contact drills this spring, said he would be ready when training camp begins in August.

“I was a starter for two years before I got hurt so I don’t see why it would really be any different right now,” Sartz said.

With a surplus of talented linebackers, Carroll and defensive coordinator Nick Holt have experimented with various alignments during spring drills. Senior Oscar Lua and sophomore Rey Maualuga battled at middle linebacker and junior Keith Rivers and sophomore Kaluka Maiava did the same at the weak-side spot.

Sartz is prepared to line up on the defensive line or at strong safety if it affords the Trojans an opportunity to get more linebackers on the field.

Sartz said he and Lua, also a fifth-year senior, would continue to work with the younger linebackers to develop vocal leaders.

“People are going to be amazed at what we can do and how many people can play the spot,” he said.

*

Sophomore Chilo Rachal is expected to be listed No. 1 at right guard.... Carroll said incoming freshman quarterback Garrett Green would be used on special teams. “We think we might be able to get him to do a lot of things for us in kind of a utility role as well as the quarterback spot,” Carroll said.... Defensive back Josh Pinkard will have abdominal surgery next week, but Carroll said no other players were scheduled to undergo surgical procedures.... Kicker Troy Van Blarcom and tight end Fred Davis did not practice to focus on academic issues and will not participate in today’s final workout, Carroll said.