Here are some quick spring practice notes from the past week:

After injuring his hamstring, Marc Tyler is not coming back anytime soon. Coach Kiffin was not very excited about Tyler’s comment to the press about the lack of stretching that he thinks led to his pulled hammy. Video after the jump…

D.J. Morgan’s speed is impressing. He is the second fast player on the team behind Nickell Robey. Morgan’s knee is 90 percent but he recently suffered a set back. He tweaked his knee on the wet grass but it is nothing major. He returned to practice this morning and looked electric as usual.

Curtis McNeal is getting more reps with the Marc Tyler injury. His biggest obstacle is his GPA. He sat out last year because he was academically ineligible.

Nickell Robey changed number. He will be wearing #21 next season Neon Deion style. Robey added some bulk in the off-season and has impressed in live tackling drills.

Another player that changed his number and suffered an injury is Robert Woods. Woods will wear #2 next season in the mold of Steve Smith. He is dealing with some hamstring tightness. The injury is not serious.

You can also add converted linebacker Dion Bailey to the list of injured Trojans. He is in a sling after injuring his forearm on Saturday. Tests were negative.

Tony Burnett is competing for the starting CB spot opposite Robey and has looked great during live tackling.. He also has an excellent nickname…Red Dread.

Here are some Monte Kiffin quotes on getting tackling reps in practice

It’s good to get out here and hit, it really is. We all know we need to tackle better. We can’t tackle better if we don’t do it out here. It’s gonna help us, you know?

Monte said so far the live hitting has been:

“pretty good, but it could still be better.”

Redshirt freshman Jesse Scroogins is competing with Max Wittek and Cody Kessler for the backup QB spot. He spoke with PedroMoura and says the competition is even:

Here is how freshman QB Cody Kessler is adapting to the early morning practices and college life via ESPNlosangeles.com

Lets not leave out the other freshman QB Max Wittek via USCtrojans.com. Nice to meet you Matt:

USC legend Frank Gifford’s son Cody made the team as a walk on. Frank was an All-America at SC and played on both offense and defense. Cody Gifford, a junior, will play wide receiver.

Coach Kiffin would like to see Khaled Holmes start at center next year, but Holmes won’t be able to participate in full contact drills until around August. The redshirt junior from Mater Dei has been dealing with neck stingers since the end of last season. Surgery is not required for his injury, just rest.

Here are coach Kiffin’s thoughts on this mornings practice: