Tyler Vaughns Shines as Injuries Force Modified Format at USC Spring Game

The USC Trojans took the field Saturday for their spring game in what initially was supposed to be their first true game action since winning the Rose Bowl.

However, "game" was a misleading moniker.   

Thanks to injuries, USC wasn't able to play the traditional intrasquad scrimmage, although fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum still caught a glimpse of what promises to be one of the best teams in the country.

Format

According to Jordan Moore of the program's official website, USC head coach Clay Helton said his team didn't have enough healthy bodies to divide into two groups, resulting in Saturday's more practice-like approach.

Zach Helfand of the Los Angeles Times listed defensive lineman Kenny Bigelow, defensive back Isaiah Langley, linebacker Porter Gustin, offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees, tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe, tight end Tyler Petite, wide receiver Deontay Burnett and offensive lineman Viane Talamaivao among the injured but specified they are expected back by the regular season.

Ryan Abraham of USCFootball.com noted there was a 20-play team period that was "the most 'scrimmage' like portion" of the practice.

Notable Developments

Fans didn't see much game-like action, but they at least got a look at the Rose Bowl rings and honored the departing members of the team, as Shotgun Spratling of the Los Angeles Times and Keely Eure of USCFootball.com shared:

Those in attendance were also introduced to the Trojans' 2017 recruiting class and had the opportunity for postgame autographs, per Moore.

One fan even impressed former USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during a contest, as Eure captured:

Smith-Schuster is headed to the NFL, but the Trojans still have plenty of talent at wide receiver if Tyler Vaughns' performance is any indication.

Abraham noted he hauled in an impressive catch while losing a shoe, and the Pac-12 Network captured him grabbing a touchdown and demonstrating his red-zone potential:

The run game also had some fun with the scrimmage portion of the practice and mixed in an effective reverse, as the team passed along:

One of the most notable moments came when blind long snapper Jake Olson got in the mix, as Eure shared:

2017 Outlook

Doug Benc/Associated Press

USC won its last eight regular-season contests in 2016, one of which came against the College Football Playoff representatives and Pac-12 champion Washington Huskies. The Trojans then beat Penn State in a thrilling 52-49 Rose Bowl shootout and enter the 2017 campaign in red-hot fashion.

Quarterback Sam Darnold is back to challenge for a Heisman Trophy and CFP spot after throwing for 3,086 yards and 31 touchdowns last season as a freshman.

While the Trojans will have to replace Smith-Schuster and all-purpose contributor Adoree' Jackson, among others, they landed the nation's No. 5 recruiting class in the country for 2017, per Scout.

Bleacher Report's Brian Pedersen ranked USC as his No. 2 team in the country following signing day behind only powerhouse Alabama.

The Trojans avoid Washington on the schedule but play Texas and Notre Dame out of conference before challenging Pac-12 games against the likes of Stanford, Colorado and UCLA, among others. With spring practice officially in the rearview mirror following Saturday's action, attention now turns to using that talent to navigate the slate.