USC’s inexperienced defensive line remains a concern ahead of spring game

The first spring practice film, three weeks ago, was not kind to USC’s inexperienced defensive line.

Watching it later, Coach Clay Helton said, “You went, ‘Oh my gosh, they look like baby deer out there.’”

It is, Helton has said numerous times, his biggest concern. USC lost five regulars on the defensive line from last season, including three starters. Its only upperclassman, Kenny Bigelow Jr., was lost for the season because of a knee injury this spring.

The unit has made major improvements in 14 practices. Helton views it as a group that could struggle early before turning into a force later in the season.

But there’s a problem: USC opens against Alabama. Its third game is against Stanford. Both teams love to pound the football on the ground.

“Have they progressed this camp?” Helton said. “Yes they have. Are they anywhere close to being ready? No they’re not. Thank God we’ve got 29 more practices after Saturday to get ready for Alabama.”

The unit’s lack of depth has forced changes to the format of Saturday’s spring game, which will be a situational scrimmage, instead of the traditional intrasquad exhibition game. It’s an attempt to avoid an injury USC could scarcely afford.

The problem is one of depth and experience more than talent. Helton, defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and defensive line coach Kenechi Udeze all raved about the play of Malik Dorton, the sophomore tackle who has been playing with the first-team defense.

Tackle Noah Jefferson and end Rasheem Green, also both sophomores, have flashed impressive ability.

That, Udeze said, is true of much of the unit. Now the goal is to find consistency by the season’s start.

“We’ve lost all our seniors, we just lost our oldest guy, Kenny Bigelow,” Jefferson said. “We have to step up.”

After Thursday’s practice, Helton posed a question. “They’re a talented, talented bunch,” he said. “But are they ready yet?”

He said he’ll have no way to knowing until the young unit hits the field against Alabama.

QB race continues

Helton knew he had a problem by Tuesday night.

“My wife said, ‘Hey, baby, there’s a lot of reports out there you’re going to name a quarterback after the spring game,’” Helton said.

“I said, ‘Really? I don’t think I meant that.’”

Helton’s remarks Tuesday could be interpreted to indicate as much. But he clarified on Thursday that he won’t commit to naming a starting quarterback just yet.

Junior Max Browne was the front-runner entering the spring, and he has taken the majority of first-team snaps, but freshman Sam Darnold has pushed him for the job.

Unless one decisively establishes himself by Saturday, Helton said, the competition will continue.

“If I come out of there and there’s a huge separation, yeah, I will name a quarterback,” Helton said. “But if I don’t think that there’s a great separation, it will go to camp.”

Injury report

Jefferson (back) is expected to play limited snaps on Saturday. … Defensive back Jonathan Lockett (concussion) is doubtful. … Defensive back John Plattenburg (ankle) is out. … Defensive ends John Houston Jr. (back) and Osa Masina (hamstring) are expected to play more than a half. … Offensive lineman Clayton Johnston (concussion) has been cleared and practiced Thursday.

Follow Zach Helfand on Twitter: @zhelfand