?Awesome? Ellison having breakout camp for USC

The Trojans? starting tight end in 2010 could be their starting fullback in 2011.

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By MICHAEL LEV

LOS ANGELES ? Lane Kiffin ran out of superlatives to describe senior Rhett Ellison, so the USC coach settled on this:

"He's just awesome."

Though he is attempting to learn a new position, senior Rhett Ellison has received a lot of praise from Coach Lane Kiffin, who says, 'I couldn't be more pleased with him.'

ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER

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Kiffin on Wednesday called Ellison "the best story of camp so far," citing his contributions as a special-teamer, tight end and fullback ? the latter a position Ellison is learning on the fly.

The Trojans' starting tight end a year ago might be their starting fullback this season. There's a lot of overlap between that position and the "movement" tight end, or F-back, in USC's offense. There's also a job opportunity with Stanley Havili having graduated and freshman Soma Vainuku being the only pure fullback on the roster.

If Ellison were to play there ? and it's becoming increasingly likely ? the coaching staff wouldn't have to start Vainuku before he's ready. The move also would create more playing time for USC's three second-year tight ends, led by redshirt freshman Xavier Grimble.

For his part, Ellison is enjoying the challenge of learning a new position. He has no choice but to see the game in a different way.

"Just understanding defenses on the grand scheme of things," Ellison said. "You have to understand everything, from the D-line techniques to the linebacker stacks, where the safeties are rotating, the corners, all that kind of stuff. As opposed to tight end, where you just have to worry about half the line of scrimmage pretty much."

Ellison also is learning how to be a lead blocker. He's leading the Trojans in other ways as well.

"Rhett Ellison has had an unbelievable camp," Kiffin siad. "I couldn't be more pleased with him."

NOTES

Freshman receiver Marqise Lee returned for the evening workout after missing the morning session because of a family emergency and was "the star of the practice by far," Kiffin said. Quarterback Matt Barkley, who also looked sharp, hooked up with Lee for several completions. ... The race for the backup quarterback job is basically a dead heat between freshmen Cody Kessler and Max Wittek. "Both guys are doing great," said Kiffin, adding that the freshmen are running the same plays as Barkley. ... Left tackle Matt Kalil is day to day because of a minor knee injury. He did not practice Wednesday but could return Thursday. ... Middle linebacker Chris Galippo (shoulder) continued to be held out of contact drills. He's planning to participate in Sunday's scrimmage. ... Tailback D.J. Morgan is hoping to return next week after tweaking his surgically repaired right knee. ... Receiver Robert Woods (ankle) remained out. ... Asked for a one- or two-word response to the Miami/Paul Dee scandal, Kiffin said: "It would take me a lot more than one or two words." The former Miami athletic director was the chairman of the NCAA Committee on Infractions that sanctioned USC.

Contact the writer: mlev@ocregister.com

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