LOS ANGELES -- With USC in full pads for the first time in training camp on Monday, linebacker Cam Smith was afforded the opportunity to do something he hasn’t done since November: tackle.
For the Trojans, that represented a big step toward the return of a player who quickly established himself as one of the best linebackers in the Pac-12 last season. Before tearing his ACL in the 10th game, Smith was on track to become the first true freshman to lead the team in tackles in school history and, despite his season being cut short, Smith was named the conference’s freshman defensive player of the year.