TROJAN NOTES: Injuries & Position Updates

TROJAN NOTES: Injuries & Position Updates

Tight end Blake Ayles will undergo exploratory surgery today to discover the cause of his irregular heart beat. Top USC linebacker recruit, Frankie Telfort, was diagnosed with an enlarged heart a few weeks ago and had to give up football. However, Telfort will retain his scholarship and work as a coach’s assistant.

Freshman defensive end, James Boyd, has been moved over to tight end to take Ayles’ spot at least for now.

All-American wide receiver, Damian Williams, who had been sidelined with a sore quad was returning punts today.

Aaron Corp’s cracked fibula is healing, and he should return next week. In the meantime, he will take part in seven-on-seven drills tomorrow. By the way, tomorrow’s practice has been moved up from 4 p.m. to 3 p.m.

An MRI on starting center Kris O’Dowd showed a dislocated knee cap but no ligament damage. O’Dowd will not require surgery and should return in two to three weeks.

Meanwhile, Alex Parsons will replace him as the starting center. All-American left guard and sixth-year player, Jeff Byers, will be the back up. Parson, however, does not plan to give up the starting spot when O’Dowd returns. It should be interesting to say the least.

When I last saw nose tackle Averell Spicer, he was wearing a boot on his left foot. I don’t know the extent of his injury or when he will return.

During his first day of practice after finally becoming academically eligible, incoming freshman safety, Patrick Hall, suffered a knee injury and did not return. Hopefully, the injury will be minor, and Hall, one of Coach Carroll’s top recruits, can show everyone just what he can do.

Good news on the recruiting front. One of the top wide receivers in the Class of 2010, Roberts Woods, has just committed to the Trojans. As a junior, Woods had nearly 1500 receiving yards for Junipero Serra High School and caught 19 TDs. Woods also plays safety on defense.

I will have more to report as news breaks, so check back with the USC page often.