USC's strength and conditioning program focuses on explosiveness

Every college football program is looking for an edge, and it's no different when it comes to offseason conditioning programs.

WeAreSC's Garry Paskwietz sat down with USC's strength and conditioning coach Ivan Lewis, who offered his thoughts on how conditioning has evolved and the way athletes now train. It's one thing to bench press an insane amount in the weight room, Lewis tells Paskwietz, but if it can't translate to football moves on the field, it's no use. That's where Lewis comes in, and already he's had a major impact on one particular player.

"You have someone like Damien Mama, who has changed his body composition," Lewis tells ESPN. "He's always going to be a big guy, but he's lost like 35 pounds and that should pay off with his ability to move on the field. I'm like Carlisle (Chris Carlisle, former USC strength coach now with Seattle Seahawks) in regards to movement, if a guy can't make football moves on the field it doesn't matter how much he can bench or squat. At the end of the day we focus on being explosive."

Lewis goes in-depth on USC's conditioning program and how superb athletes like Adoree' Jackson benefit under his care. It's a very good read worth your time. 

(h/t ESPN)

Photo Credit: Kevin Carden, FOX Sports West