LOS ANGELES – USC sophomore Cameron Smith will almost certainly return to his starting inside linebacker spot in the fall. Until then, the spot is up for grabs and Michael Hutchings is doing everything he can to put himself within reach of taking it away from the injured Smith.
Hutchings served as a backup last season, appearing in 12 games, but fell short of taking over the starting job when Smith and Lamar Dawson went down with injuries. Sophomore Olajuwon Tucker filled in for Smith then, logging 40 tackles.
That’s not going to be the case this season, according to Hutchings.