What We Learned: USC not changing its steps over Devon Williams situation

Not all entrances into the transfer portal are created equally, at least not at USC. The Trojans have had four players enter and return in recent months, and a fifth initiate the process only to return as well.

Circumstances varied between them, but Bru McCoy, Greg Johnson, Velus Jones, Matt Fink and Hunter Echols all decided to leave USC at one point this year. All five are on the current roster, and all but McCoy, who's not eligible, have a prominent role.

Of course, there have also been a handful of Trojans who were granted their release and were gone for good.

We learned Thursday that Devon Williams will fall into the latter category. Coach Clay Helton kept his comments to a minimum when asked about the sophomore wide receiver, who entered the portal this week after playing sparingly in the first two games.

"Great kid, good player, and we wish him nothing but the best," Helton said.

Did he try to change his mind?

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"Great kid, great player, wish him nothing but the best and I'll keep all the conversations that we had personal," Helton said.

It's a conversation he'd like to avoid with running back Markese Stepp, who's played just as little thus far and isn't happy about it. Helton said Stepp is a game-time decision after not practicing Thursday because of a calf injury, while adding that he'll travel with the team for Saturday's game at BYU. As for whether his role could increase if and when he's healthy -- he has just three carries this season -- Stepp will likely remain a clear No. 3 in the pecking order at running back.

"Markese is doing a great job," Helton said. "He is a redshirt freshman, he's got a couple guys in front of him in Vavae [Malepeai] and Stephen [Carr]. He's a great teammate, he's got some guys that are older, and every opportunity matters -- he's done a great job on special teams, he's done a great job on offense."

In other words, don't expect Williams' defection to factor into how much Stepp plays. It's still early in the season, but USC is not rotating on offense nearly as much as Helton advertised in training camp.

With Williams no longer in the fold, Jones and John Jackson III, both of whom have primarily worked in the slot in fall practice, are taking reps outside as well. But don't be surprised if it's Munir McClain who sees the biggest uptick in snaps.

Here are status updates on other players heading into the road opener:

Defensive end Christian Rector, who has not practiced this week because of an ankle injury, is a game-time decision. Helton did say he felt like the senior captain was moving around better. "He's questionable at best," Helton said. We've seen ailing veterans in the past who will go the entire week without practicing because the staff is preserving them for the game. It sounds like Rector has a mild sprain and really might not play. If he does, he won't carry his usual workload. Connor Murphy and Caleb Tremblay would be the beneficiary of those available snaps, with Drake Jackson expected to fill in for Rector in USC’s 3-4 alignment.
Defensive back Chase Williams practiced Thursday and will likely play. He is dealing with an AC sprain.
Helton said he's hoping freshman wide receiver Kyle Ford, who returned to practice in a limited capacity this week, will be able to make his debut in November and perhaps play just four games to preserve his redshirt. "He's going to need a month's worth of work," Helton said. "He's not near. ... We're making an investment in the big picture."

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