LOS ANGELES >> Former USC coach Pete Carroll used to give extra practice time to incoming freshmen the first week of training camp, in order to see how his prized recruits actually looked in person.
Sometimes players such as linebacker Brian Cushing or wide receiver Mike Williams would immediately emerge and make it easy to predict they could play a significant role. It was not a foolproof way to predict greatness, however, because Reggie Bush did not look like a star his first week.
If you believe USC is the No. 4 team in the nation this season, some freshmen will need to contribute immediately.