latest news: USC freshman Lee continues to impress

Coach Lane Kiffin says the receiver is ahead of where star wideout Robert Woods was a year ago.

By MICHAEL LEV / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LOS ANGELES ? He is the least heralded of the group but the furthest along. So just how advanced is USC freshman receiver Marqise Lee?

Coach Lane Kiffin said Wednesday that Lee is ahead of where Robert Woods was at the same time last season. That's saying something, considering that Woods was the 2010 Pac-10 Offensive Freshman of the Year.

USC freshman receiver Marqise Lee caught his first career touchdown pass in last week's victory over Syracuse.

PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE REGISTER

"He's gotten better every week," Kiffin said of Lee. "Last week he looked the best that he's looked as far as being comfortable and getting lined up."

Lee, like Woods a product of Serra High of Gardena, caught his first career touchdown pass in last week's victory over Syracuse. Through three games, his numbers (nine catches, 129 yards) are on par with Woods' from 2010 (11-143). Kiffin would like to get Lee the ball even more, starting with Saturday's game at Arizona State.

"This kid's really special," Kiffin said. "He's every bit as fast as Robert, but he's bigger and stronger."

That's what Woods and others said about USC's other freshman receiver from Serra High, George Farmer. Farmer was a consensus top-10 prospect. But minor injuries and a slow start have him on the redshirt track, even though he has come on lately.

"If this were the beginning of the year right now, he'd be in the mix," Kiffin said. "We're excited about what he'll bring down the road."

Kiffin feels the same way about Kyle Prater, a top-10 recruit from the class of 2010. Injuries derailed Prater's freshman season, and consistency remains elusive. Prater made the play of the day Wednesday, a one-handed catch while falling near the sideline. He sat out Tuesday because of migraines.

"Every time he starts making strides, something happens," Kiffin said. "He's going to eventually be a really good player. Hopefully it's soon."

KIFFIN ON PAC-12

The Pac-12 Conference has decided not to expand, at least for the time being, and that's fine with Kiffin.

"I think it's great," he said. "I love where we're at right now. We're just getting used to this format."

If Oklahoma and Texas had joined the conference, Kiffin doesn't believe they would have gained a recruiting foothold in talent-rich Southern California.

"They've always tried to come in here. I don't think that that would change very much," Kiffin said. "Just because you play a game one time a year in L.A. on a rotating schedule, I don't think that that really helps that much. You've still got to go a long ways away. I don't think that would have been a big deal."

NOTES

Freshman middle linebacker Lamar Dawson remains out because of a sprained left ankle. That's potentially significant because Dawson has been rotating with starter Chris Galippo, and temperatures are expected to be in the 90s even with the 7:15 p.m. kickoff at ASU. ... Also out Wednesday: guard Martin Coleman (shoulder), linebacker Marquis Simmons (neck) and receiver Brice Butler (undisclosed).

Contact the writer: mlev@ocregister.com

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trojandude207

Thisis hidden because you have chosen to ignore trojandude207.

It is interesting to note that none of the injuries noted in this report are blamed on tackling in practice, so maybe last years mistakes have been erased. I hope Dawson bounces back soon along with all the others of course. Saturday's game could be a good one if the Trojans come to play.