Thursday Workout: Ayles, Holmes and Boyer
Incoming Freshmen Attend Practice
It was another warm sunny afternoon at Howard Jones-Brian Kennedy Field as the Trojans continue informal off-season workouts. Incoming freshmen, Blake Ayles, Khaled Holmes and Robbie Boyer attended the throw-around and got a first-hand look at what it will be like come summer and fall, when full practices commence and they will be able to practice with the team in earnest.
Ayles and Boyer Speak
SCPlaybook caught up with Blake Ayles (Scout.com 5-star tight-end signee). When asked what the Trojan team is like, Ayles said, “This is my first day around the team, they’re a lot faster and bigger.” Ayles said he would come out for the team during the summer, after he graduates from high school. He also said, “It was cool, it was fun, Sanchez was teaching me a lot today, we had nice meetings, it feels like I am already on the team. I’m going to get summer classes going so I can get out here early and start learning.”
We also spoke with Robbie Boyer (preferred walk-on wide receiver). Boyer is the teammate and cousin of 2009 commit, Matt Barkley. He said, “It’s really cool, the players here are a lot bigger and faster. It’s a lot different from high school. I plan to come out in July or August, when I get out of school. I’ll get out here early, work hard and get to know the system and players.”
Coaches Instruction Period
Before the throw-around, players worked with coaches again, basically running agility exercises. The players were spread around the field and spent time with their respective position coaches. After the coaches left, the team split-up, linemen working technique on Brian Kennedy field, special teams and defensive backs on the south end of Howard Jones and skill players on the north end.
11-on-11’s
Mark Sanchez continued to lead the players, his experience lending himself to be like a coach on the field. The players joked, had fun and clowned around a little, but when it came down to team-time, worked quite hard.
Wasting no time, Sanchez ran a pass play to Broderick Green, both players showing they are serious contenders for their respective positions. Ronald Johnson also caught a deep 30-yard pass. Coming into his second year with the Trojans, Johnson has a bit more confidence working with the team.
Similarly, when Aaron Corp got his rotation in, he immediately went to Broderick Green. Green is also exuding confidence, now that he has had time to heal his foot injury. Corp then went deep into the endzone.
Mitch Mustain got his repetitions and went long to Johnson who dashed toward the endzone for a catch. Mustain then went to C.J. Gable for a short pass, which Gable ran into the endzone.
Early Admit Matt Meyer Getting Acclimated
Incoming freshman, Matt Meyer enrolled early and has been with the Trojans since the spring semester started. Meyer is a 6’8”- 285 lb. offensive tackle from Lincoln High School (Stockton, CA). We caught up with Meyer to ask him what it’s like to be enrolled at USC and working out with the team. He has been able to participate in Coach Carlisle’s off-season conditioning program.
Speaking about his early enrollment, Meyer said, “There’s a lot of plays, a lot of meetings and getting through that is the hardest part. I have 13 units right now, with my transfer class; it’s pretty much a full-load schedule, 16 units. I’m trying to get acclimated. I already picked my major, Business, so all my classes are geared toward that.”
He continued, “We practice quite a bit, but it’s really what you make it. Spring is really a time to get better, so if you try your hardest, you can really get a lot out of it. We do conditioning, weight-training and footwork on the field like we did today.”
Spring Training Around the Corner
Spring camp begins March 25 and culminates with “The Huddle” on April 19 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Most practices will be open to the public and SCPlaybook will continue coverage throughout the spring.