USC Thin In The Backfield?

With all the depth at some positions (TB, LB, CB, S), the FB position seems very thin with the starter a kid that missed most of last season injured.  Do you think Broderick Green would be able and willing to fill in at that spot if necessary?  Or how about Bradford?  I still remember Marcus Allen playing FB when Charles White was at TB.  He didn't have a problem with it -- didn't hurt his career either!

--Ron from Texas

Stanley Havili has been getting a lot of buzz lately (or at least as much as is possible for a fullback -- see #2 in this ESPN article or click here for an ESPN video). It seems like everybody is high on him. I watched a few practices and didn't notice him much. Since FB isn't exactly a glamor position, that's probably a good thing. He didn't seem to be missing any assignments. He looked good in scrimmages, with a 27-yard run in the second quarter and 19-yard catch in the third.

After Havili, you're right. USC is thin at fullback -- especially when it comes to senior leadership. Havili is a redshirt freshman. On the depth chart, he's backed up by walk-on Adam Goodman (a redshirt sophomore who played in JC). The only guy who has been around the program for awhile is Joey Adewale, listed at third. The redshirt senior actually started three games last year. On the other hand, he quit the team for awhile to focus on school, and returned after missing spring practice. Adewale is followed by true freshman Jordan Campbell and redshirt freshman Alfred Rowe.

Considering the transfer and injuries at tailback (Green and Johnson are the only two without any question marks), I wouldn't look for Bradford or Green to switch over unless fullback becomes a problem. Keep in mind that Havili, Goodman and Co. should get a gentle start to the season with the first game against Idaho and the following weekend off.