Rodney Peete, USC’s starting quarterback at the...

Rodney Peete, USC’s starting quarterback at the end of last season, won’t participate in 20 days of spring drills that start today, weather permitting. Peete is still recuperating from a torn Achilles’ tendon he suffered in a season-ending loss to Alabama in the Aloha Bowl game.

USC Coach Ted Tollner has 12 starters returning, six each on offense and defense, from last year’s team that had a 6-6 record. Tollner said he wants to get more production out of the offense, especially in the passing game. The Trojans didn’t score a touchdown in four of their losses last season.