USC thin at tight end as spring practice resumes
Sure, it's only spring and kickoff for USC's first game of the 2015 season is still some five months away, but the visual is alarming.
The Trojans returned to spring practice Tuesday after a 10-day layoff. Once practice commenced, each position group met with its respective coach. The tight end group consisted of coach Marques Tuiasosopo and two players -- Jalen Cope Fitzpatrick and Conner Spears, a walk-on.
That's been the case since the Trojans opened spring practice three weeks ago. Reinforcements are on the way in the form of signee Tyler Petite. Perhaps head coach Steve Sarkisian knew what he was up against, showing a bit of foresight when, on signing day, he referred to Petite as the "most important guy in the class."
Noticeably missing is Bryce Dixon, who's only appearance this spring has been in the stands, watching former teammates participate at USC's Pro Day.
Dixon has been held out with what is being called a "student conduct issue." Fresh off of spring break, when asked about the status of Dixon, Sarkisian said there were no further developments.
There could be new developments regarding the position group as a whole. On Monday, former Oklahoma tight end Taylor McNamara announced on his Twitter account that he would be transferring to USC next fall.
USC's Adoree' Jackson floats through the air with the greatest of ease
McNamara indicated that he would be graduating from Oklahoma this spring, which means he would be eligible immediately as a graduate transfer.
Asked about the potential transfer of McNamara, Sarkisian declined to speak on the matter.
"I can't comment," he said.
Since McNamara is technically a recruitable athlete, it would be against NCAA bylaws if Sarkisian spoke about him. McNamara was a national recruit coming out of Westview High School in San Diego, and he even had an offer from the Trojans. He was a top-20 tight end in the 2012 class, according to Scout.com.
Presuming McNamara joins the fold, with the absence of Dixon, the USC tight end group will enter the 2015 season with seven career receptions between them. The three catches Spears brings to the table were at the FCS level, playing as a freshman for Columbia in the Ivy League.