George Farmer hasn't made the instant impact that Robert Woods did as a true freshman, so it makes sense that the USC Trojans coaching staff would hold off on utilizing him this season. USC is stacked in the receiving corps, and there's no reason to push Farmer when he isn't ready.
The most interesting news is that after he redshirts this season, Farmer might be a running back in 2012. Say what now Lane? Michael Lev of the Orange County Register reports.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Farmer has been working at running back in individual drills. The product of Serra High of Gardena has played quarterback, tailback and receiver for the scout team. Coach Lane Kiffin said Farmer has looked "great" at tailback and could have a bright future there.
"That would give us a big, physical guy (and) one of the fastest guys in the country," Kiffin said. "As we look at that position, we’re still lacking in game-breaking speed back there."
This would be some intriguing experimentation. Farmer didn't play much as a running back in college, and he seems a little too tall and lanky to handle confined spaces as a tailback. If you watch Farmer's video, you can tell he works best on the outside and at the edges. Could Kiffin be considering him as a Reggie Bush-type player, someone who can work well as a pass-catching option out of the backfield to spread defenses out?
On the surface, it looks like another strange decision from the USC head coach. Farmer better look pretty good next season.
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