USC is showing signs of pointing its season in the right direction with a new coach, and the team might receive another big boost heading into Saturday's matchup at Notre Dame.
Marqise Lee, the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver, practiced Tuesday for the first time since injuring his knee Sept. 28 at Arizona State. Lee said he is optimistic he will return to play the Fighting Irish.
"I'm coming around pretty good," Lee said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "By Saturday, I think I'll be 100 percent."
USC managed to beat Arizona last week with Lee sidelined; Nelson Agholor filled the void at receiver, exploding for 161 yards and a touchdown on a career-high seven catches. Going on the road against Notre Dame is a tougher test for the Trojans, though, and Lee's return would be welcomed. Interim head coach Ed Orgeron didn't say whether he expected Lee to return Saturday, but he sounded impressed with the progress he saw from Lee on Tuesday.
"I didn't know he was going to come out and do the things that he did," Orgeron said. "Obviously, he looked a little bit better.
Lee was considered one of college football's top prospects, regardless of position, heading into the season. A slow start coupled with the knee injury has sent him off course a bit, and a strong and healthy return could do a lot to reassure NFL evaluators.
