USC Trojans Football: Welcome Tre Madden but What About Buck?

One of the biggest stories to come out of USC's spring camp is the news that linebacker Tre Madden has been moved to running back.

Madden, who played some quarterback in the wildcat formation in high school, has looked good in his limited action at the position and his play has caught the eyes of both Kennedy Polamalu, who is responsible for the running backs, and Head Coach Lane Kiffin.

In fact, Kiffin was so moved by Madden's efforts that this is what he said about his 226 lb newly converted ball carrier, "But he gives you a big guy that runs really fast. That's unusual to find; his testing doesn't happen often."

Heady praise for the former linebacker to be sure but Kiffin wasn't done yet. He went on, "...we'll see if it works out, then we got ourselves something we don't have right now."

That may come as news to Javorius (Buck) Allen, a redshirt freshman who is trying to overcome injuries in an effort to crack the tailback rotation.

You see, Allen, by any objective measure, qualifies as a "big back" too.

Listed as 6'0", 215 lbs, but probably closer to 220 lbs, Allen is a true running back whose laundry list of things to do doesn't include learning a new position like Madden.

And Allen is fast too.

Rumors had it that he was the second fastest Trojan at players only workouts earlier this year.

So what gives with the move of Madden to running back?

Well, despite Allen's physical stature, he can't seem to stay healthy.

Currently nursing a pulled hamstring, Allen has spent far more time in the trainers treatment room than on the field for the Trojans.

So given Kiffin's desire to have a back that can steamroll opponents in short yard situations, the move of Madden to running back makes sense given Allen's injury history.

Still, for Allen, it must be frustrating.

If there was ever an opportunity for a young back to seize a spot in the rotation, this is it.

Instead, he is on the sideline listening to his coach gushing about a guy who was playing linebacker two weeks ago.

Though it is not too late for Allen to make his mark, he needs to find that elusive health to do so.

Otherwise he may find himself in the position of former Trojan Allen Bradford, a fabulously talented big back whose playing time was inconsistent due to penchant for fumbling.

While fumbling may not be the ill that keeps Allen from playing, nagging injuries might be an even larger obstacle for him to overcome.

So get well Buck, Trojan fans would love to see what you can do.

Because if you don't, you may find all of your thunder being taken by an ex-linebacker.