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USC spring preview: Tight ends and fullbacks

USC tight end Bryce Dixon catches a touchdown pass during the Trojans' 52-13 win over Fresno State last season.

USC tight end Bryce Dixon catches a touchdown pass during the Trojans’ 52-13 win over Fresno State last season.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
By Lindsey Thiry 

USC begins spring practice on Tuesday. We’ll preview each position group before workouts begin.

Tight ends

Departure: Randall Telfer

Key returning players: Sophomore Bryce Dixon and junior Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick.

Outlook: Dixon and Cope-Fitzpatrick are the only scholarship tight ends on the roster.

Dixon caught 14 passes last season, four for touchdowns.

Cope-Fitzpatrick was academically ineligible last season. He is “working to regain his status,” according to the USC Spring Football Prospectus.

Cope-Fitzpatrick has three receptions in two seasons.

Fullbacks

Returning players: Fifth-year senior Soma Vainuku and senior Jahleel Pinner

Outlook: Vainuku and Pinner had limited roles on offense last season, but both played on special teams.

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Vainuku rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown in seven carries. He made six tackles.

Pinner rushed for six yards in two carries. He made two tackles.

Questions about USC? Email me at [email protected] or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.

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Lindsey Thiry

Lindsey Thiry is a former general assignment multimedia sports reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She began working for The Times as a contributor to the digital sports report, with a focus on USC football, and left in 2018. Thiry has appeared on nationally televised sports broadcasts on Fox Sports 1. She grew up in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington.

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