USC now can tackle tailback issue

OK, now that the quarterback issue is settled . . .

The unrelenting spotlight that illuminated the competition between Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain during the first three weeks of USC’s spring practice subtly shifts to the players battling to line up directly behind Sanchez in the Aug. 30 season opener at Virginia.

And once again the tailback queue is lengthy.

USC’s logjam of 2007 loosened some with the departure of three seniors, but there are still six tailbacks competing for playing time and all have looked sharp at times this spring.

Allen Bradford’s daily highlight-reel plays appear to have put him firmly in the fall mix with fellow junior Stafon Johnson, sophomores Joe McKnight and C.J. Gable and redshirt freshmen Broderick Green and Marc Tyler.

“It’s a good problem to have,” running backs coach Todd McNair said. “People don’t understand, you need every one of these guys.”

USC found that out last season when a sudden departure and injuries old and new tested the Trojans’ enviable depth.

USC started training camp with a jaw-dropping 10 tailbacks on the roster, but the number was a bit of an illusion.

Senior Desmond Reed was relegated to a specialty role because of nerve damage in his leg suffered in 2005, sixth-year senior Hershel Dennis was out of the mix while trying to recover from a second knee surgery, and Tyler was on track to redshirt while mending from a broken leg suffered during his senior year in high school.

Then, less than two weeks into camp, sophomore Emmanuel Moody left the program in search of a bigger role, eventually landing at Florida. A few weeks later, Green suffered a broken foot during a scrimmage, an injury that eventually required surgery and put him on track to redshirt.

Chauncey Washington sat out the opener against Idaho because of a shoulder injury and nursed other injuries throughout the season. Gable started the first two games but did not play again after the third because of an abdominal injury that required surgery and forced him to redshirt. And Johnson appeared on his way to a breakout season when he suffered a foot injury at Washington that forced him to sit out two games and limited his effectiveness in others.

That left McKnight, who struggled nearly all season to grasp the offense, and the seldom-used Bradford as the only relatively injury-free tailbacks.

“People talked so much about how many guys we had, but we never really had them all available at the same time,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

With pint-sized freshman Curtis McNeal of Venice High arriving this summer, the Trojans will open training camp in August with seven tailbacks on the roster.

Bradford, more than anyone, has made a case this spring for joining the rotation, powering his way to a long touchdown run in nearly every one of the Trojans’ first 12 practices. But Bradford’s greatest strides have been made behind the line of scrimmage.

“I’m picking up all of my blocking assignments, that’s the biggest difference,” said Bradford, who carried the ball only 15 times for 24 yards last season. “Knowing who to block, knowing what’s coming next and basically playing hard and playing fast.”

Gable also came into spring workouts with something to prove after his surgery. The former Sylmar High star remains, perhaps, the Trojans’ most dependable all-around back.

“I’m trying to get my name up there for a starting spot,” he said. “They know where I’m standing right now.”

McKnight, who had a breakout game in the Rose Bowl victory over Illinois, showed a much greater command of the offense and appeared more confident in all phases on the field before he was declared academically ineligible last week. McKnight is expected to improve his academic standing during summer school and regain his eligibility.

Johnson appears recovered from his foot injury after rushing for 673 yards last season, tops among the returnees. Coaches, however, have limited his carries while evaluating others.

“I just feel that whenever I get my chance, I make sure I make my plays and let them know I’m consistent,” he said. “They’re letting the young guys play, which is cool. . . . Everyone needs their opportunity.”

Green and Tyler appear on their way to becoming contributors, though they have been slowed at times while trying to grasp their responsibilities on each play.

Carroll likes the way the tailback situation stacks up for this season and the future.

“It stretches out just right for us,” Carroll said. “It couldn’t have worked out better.”

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gary.klein@latimes.com