Catching the torch

At a position where huge expectations are part of the job description, USC receivers appear to have the right qualifications.

At least in terms of size.

The starting lineup features 6-foot-4 flanker Patrick Turner and 6-5 split end David Ausberry.

But towering frames have not reduced what many regard as top-ranked USC’s main question mark. With Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith catching passes in the NFL, can a largely untested group fill the void?

“It is a big concern -- we don’t know yet,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

Quarterback John David Booty, whose Heisman Trophy chances are literally in the receivers’ hands, is already convinced.

“These guys worked hard in the spring, the summer and through fall camp,” Booty said. “They’re ready to step up.”

It will require a big step.

Jarrett, USC’s all-time receptions leader, established a Pacific 10 Conference record with 41 touchdown catches before declaring for the NFL draft after his junior season. The Carolina Panthers selected the 6-5 Jarrett in the second round.

Smith, a second-round pick by the New York Giants, led the Trojans with 71 catches last season, many coming on clutch third-down receptions.

Jarrett knows what it feels like to carry the burden of expectations left by a predecessor. As a freshman, he replaced Mike Williams, a freshman All-American in 2002 who had become perhaps college football’s most dominant receiver in 2003.

Jarrett offered this season’s receiving corps some advice.

“I would say, ‘Just don’t worry about living up to my expectations, of Mike or any other receiver that passed through,’ ” Jarrett said. “You want to be confident and have high expectations to do it for yourself.”

Turner, a junior who caught 29 passes last season, is the dean of a receiving corps that was largely recruited by Lane Kiffin, USC’s former receivers coach and offensive coordinator.

John Morton, a former New Orleans Saints assistant, was hired as passing game coordinator and receivers coach in February when Kiffin became the Oakland Raiders’ head coach.

“Patrick is definitely the leader,” Morton said.

Turner arrived at USC from Nashville in 2005 and donned the No. 1 jersey that Williams had worn. But Turner rarely got a starring role in a rotation with Jarrett and Smith.

He did, however, have his moments.

Last season, with Jarrett out because of injury, Turner caught 12 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown against Washington.

“Playing with D.J. and Steve, you couldn’t help having what they did and how they worked rub off on you,” Turner said.

Turner is not burdened by assuming the leadership role or inevitable comparisons to Williams and Jarrett, rangy receivers who manhandled smaller cornerbacks and safeties at times.

Jarrett declared Turner ready to make similar plays.

“Everyone expects him to take that torch and be that guy,” Jarrett said. “He’s ready for the challenge. He’s been ready for the challenge.”

Ausberry, a redshirt freshman, also appears prepared after spending his first season on the scout team.

The experience allowed the 225-pound Ausberry to refine many of the fundamentals and the nuances that were lacking after playing multiple positions at Lemoore High in Central California.

“He went from raw to smooth, that’s the easiest way to put it,” Trojans cornerback Terrell Thomas said. “He was a freak when he first came in, just big, kind of sloppy. But he’s learning how to use his body and play the ball. It’s been a 360-degree turn.”

Said Ausberry: “I give a lot of props to that [first-team] defense. I went against them every day and they sort of developed me.”

Sophomore Vidal Hazelton, who caught only one pass last season, and freshman Ronald Johnson also could play big roles for the Trojans.

Hazelton was listed as the starting flanker on the depth chart after spring practice, but he was forced to sit out much of training camp because of a groin problem and only recently returned to full speed.

Johnson, from Muskegon, Mich., chose USC over Florida, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State.

Like all first-year receivers in USC’s complex system, he has struggled some with knowing where to line up and whom to block.

But he envisions himself in Smith’s former role, a go-to receiver for clutch third-down catches.

“I’m trying my best to fill the shoes,” he said. “Those are big shoes to fill.”

Sophomore Travon Patterson, who has not practiced much because of a toe injury, senior Brad Walker, sophomore Garrett Green and freshman Brandon Carswell also could become contributors for a Trojans team that is expected to make a run at its third Bowl Championship Series title-game appearance.

Hazelton acknowledged that the receivers are on the spot.

“We’re definitely under the microscope,” he said.

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gary.klein@latimes.com

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Better to Receive

DWAYNE JARRETT 2004-06

* USC’s only two-time All-American wide receiver is program’s career leader with 216 receptions for 41 touchdowns.

STEVE SMITH 2003-06

* Led the Trojans with 71 receptions last season, when he was team MVP. Fifth on career receiving list with 190 catches.

KEARY COLBERT 2000-03

* Never made first-team All-Pacific 10 Conference, yet his 207 career receptions are second on the school’s all-time list.

MIKE WILLIAMS 2002-03

* His 95 receptions in 2003 are the second-best season mark in program history. Made 176 catches for 30 touchdowns in two seasons.