LOS ANGELES_Stephen Carr, USC's freshman running back, took an inside handoff during Saturday's practice and dashed to his left. Then, with one hard plant, he wasn't going left anymore, though USC's first-team defense still was, as if it was playing on ice.
Carr reversed field and scampered easily into the end zone. He'd score again, also on a big cutback and had another would-be touchdown negated by a holding penalty that was incidental to the play. The last was set up the same as the first two: with a single, firm plant.
Carr was one of the jewels of USC's latest recruiting classes, and he flashed why Saturday. USC ran its first live-action practice of training camp, and coach Clay Helton opted to rest starting running back Ronald Jones II for most of the 50 to 60 full-contact plays.
Helton said he wanted to see what the next options at running back would bring. What he saw was a young tailback that looked a lot like Jones.
"I think he's got great vision," Helton said of Carr. "He reminds me a little bit of RoJo that I have no idea where he's going. But those special players like a Ronald Jones at running back, like a Sam Darnold at quarterback, they see things that others don't."
Carr, 6 feet and 210 pounds, has carved out an early role in a crowded backfield. Aca'Cedric Ware entered training camp as Jones' primary understudy. Vavae Malepeai drew rave reviews from coaches last season, his first year in the program, but was a redshirt after an injury. Helton said he will use Malepeai in short-yardage situations.
Carr, though, has the potential to be a featured running back.
"He truly puts one foot in the ground and is able to transition in another direction," Helton said. "Really good day by him."
