USC’s Leonard Williams isn’t slowing down despite ankle injury

Leonard Williams began the season projected as a possible first-round NFL draft pick.

Through two games, USC’s dominating junior defensive lineman has lived up to the billing.

Williams has made 18 tackles, with one sack and an interception in two games for the ninth-ranked Trojans, who play a nonconference game at Boston College on Saturday.

Williams practiced Wednesday after sitting out most of the previous day’s workout because of lingering ankle soreness.

Despite an ankle sprain, Williams made a game-best 11 tackles in last week’s 13-10 victory at Stanford.

Williams deferred to team trainers when asked whether he would play Saturday.

“They said, ‘We’ll just see how it goes,’” Williams said, adding that he would receive therapy most of Wednesday. “It definitely feels better this week than it did last week, so I’m pretty sure I’m playing.”

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Williams said he was “nervous” before kickoff at Stanford and did not know if he would be able to play the entire game. He came out in the first quarter but returned to the game and helped the Trojans wage several defensive stands.

Asked whether he received a pain-killing injection to play, Williams said, “We really don’t talk about all the therapy we do. The trainers helped out a lot last week and definitely helped me get through the game and warmed up my ankle before the game.”

Williams is accustomed to playing through pain.

Last season, he nursed a shoulder nearly the entire season before undergoing off-season surgery.

USC has an open date after the Boston College game, so keeping Williams sidelined Saturday would provide extra time for his ankle to heal before the schedule resumes Sept. 27 against Oregon State.

But Coach Steve Sarkisian indicated he would not hold Williams out if he can play.

“If Leonard is healthy enough to play, he’ll play,” Sarkisian said. “We need to go win the game.”

Hutchings ready

Linebacker Michael Hutchings is ready for his moment.

Hutchings, a sophomore, will start for the first time in place of Hayes Pullard, who must sit out the first half after being penalized for targeting in the second half at Stanford.

“I’m definitely excited for my first start,” Hutchings said. “It’s not the circumstances that we would want with Hayes being ejected, but it is an exciting process.”

Hutchings intercepted a pass against Fresno State and filled in for Pullard after his ejection at Stanford.

“I’ve been backing up Hayes for a while,” he said. “I’ve been preparing for something like this.”

Hutchings said, “I can’t try to be Hayes. I’ve got to be my own person.”

The two linebackers share an apartment, and Hutchings said he has learned from the senior.

“I study his every move,” Hutchings said. “How he watches film, how he studies, how he prepares for the game. ... I prepare every game like I’m him.”

Extra credit

Defensive lineman Delvon Simmons was officially credited Wednesday with a blocked field-goal attempt against Stanford.

Simmons, a transfer from Texas Tech, deflected a 49-yard attempt.

“That was a sheer effort play,” Sarkisian said.

Last week, Sarkisian said he wanted more consistent effort from Simmons and defensive lineman Claude Pelon, a transfer from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College.

The blocked kick, he said Wednesday, “gives both of those guys another charge into them of, ‘Man, when you’re playing with great effort, good things happen.’ ”

Quick hit

The Trojans will practice Thursday morning and then depart for Boston.