USC Football: 5 takeaways from Trojans in spring 2018

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TUCSON, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Running back Aca’Cedric Ware #28 of the USC Trojans runs up field during the first half of the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. USC won 48-14. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

3. Aca’Cedric Ware could be strong replacement for Ronald Jones II

Who will replace Ronald Jones II? Finding one player who can make up for the 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns Jones II accounted for in 2017 won’t be easy, that’s why many believe the Trojans will go with a running back by-committee in 2018 with Aca’Cedric Ware, Stephen Carr and Vavae Malepeai.

However, Ware looked like a potential starter and strong replacement for Jones II this spring, adding some weight to his 205-pound frame and taking a page out of his former backfield mate’s book.

Aca'Cedric Ware is up 10 pounds at 215. Helton says that Ware saw how extra weight benefited Ronald Jones and copied what he did this offseason.
— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) March 21, 2018

Adding that extra weight will also make him tougher to bring down and those extra hits won’t take a huge toll on his body. He can absorb more contact with that added muscle and he’s going to play more like his former teammate who is now headed to the NFL.

Ware was fourth on the team in rushing in 2017 with 247 yards and a touchdown, but now that he’s a senior, he’s looking to finally break out. He’ll have to push Carr, who may be the favorite to start, and Malepeai for snaps this season, but he looks ready to do just that.

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