LOS ANGELES -- This is what it means to be USC's quarterback:
It was December 2004 in Orlando. Matt Leinart was in town for an annual college football awards show. The autograph scum had gotten wind of his presence and were lined up outside a Disney World sports bar with memorabilia for the soon-to-be Heisman winner to sign.
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| Corp's scrambling gives the Trojans a new option at quarterback. (US Presswire) |
When Aaron Corp was named USC's starter for the spring game and beyond this week, it marked the first time since 2003 that there was a legitimate competition for the most prized position in the sport. When Leinart won the battle six years ago, it changed his life. While this season's competition isn't done, Corp -- or whoever eventually starts Sept. 5 against San Jose State -- has a few things to learn beyond football.
"I don't think they understand it yet," USC safety Taylor Mays said. "This is the most [intense] competition. That's the thing that separates this program. Guys really come out and fight for their jobs every day."
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After the 13 spring practices that decided their fate for now, Corp, freshman Matt Barkley and redshirt junior Mitch Mustain looked like they had played 13 games. Pete Carroll's practices are legendary and effective, meant to weed out the weak of body and spirit. So much so that his coaching tree -- Tennessee (Lane Kiffin) and Washington (Steve Sarkisian) -- are running pretty much the same drills at the same pace.
The idea is to make the games easier than the practices. Look at Carroll's record -- it has worked. By the end of Tuesday when the depth chart was announced, every possible flaw had been exposed. Nerves were raw. Mustain, undefeated as a starter in the SEC for gosh sakes, is now essentially a third stringer. He was asked if he had been given a fair shot.
"I'll keep that [between] us," the Arkansas transfer said.
"I don't expect him to be happy," Carroll said. "I never want a guy to be slapping backs after he finds out he's not the first guy."
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| Pete Carroll doesn't expect Mustain to be happy as a third stringer. (US Presswire) |
But that can be fixed in a hurry in the offseason. Plus, he is from Leinart's high school, Santa Ana Mater Dei, which has produced two Heisman Trophy winners. And don't forget his name is Matt so ...
"It's the center of L.A., the pro team," said Barkley, who grew up a USC fan. "People are looking at quarterback here as one of the most highlighted positions in all of sports. I understand it. I've seen the greats. I know what the quarterbacks means to this team."
With the title goes unspoken riches and opportunities, a chance to compete for national championships and Heismans. There have been two of each won by USC quarterbacks since 2002 under Carroll.
"I think it's the pinnacle, really," Carroll said. "This is as good as it can get for quarterbacks. This is not [just talk]. This has been proven by the Heismans and the numbers and the percentages. Look at Mark [Sanchez]'s status right now. It couldn't be any higher than it is as this point."
Sanchez would have made the Battle For L.A. a sham, in terms of competition, had he stayed. Carroll seemed bitter when Sanchez came out early in January but has since figured out that it was the best for everybody. Sanchez' stock has been rising so high that he could be the first quarterback taken in this weekend's draft. Either way, Sanchez will enrich the USC quarterback legend.
"There's no reason to think it's going to change," Carroll said. "We're going to continue to do similar things and continue to make a big time leader who can handle the media, handle this kind of attention, 90,000 at every game and all the scrutiny on the road."
With Sanchez here, Corp, Barkley and Mustain would have been competing for first runner-up status. Barkley might have been asked to redshirt. Carroll might have even seen one of the three transfer.
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| Barkley, a true freshman, has the best arm of the trio. (US Presswire) |
Corp, though, kept his red head down, paid attention and dutifully performed while he redshirted in '07 and shared backup duties behind Sanchez with Mustain last season. He gives USC a dimension it has never had in the Carroll era -- a scrambler. The 6-4, 195-pound Corp isn't going to be running off tackle like Tim Tebow but he is a human change-up with his 4.5 speed.
"Basically, the way it was presented to me was, 'It's yours to lose,'" Corp said.
Which could happen. USC comes out of spring with a better outlook than when Sanchez declared. The defense, even with possibly eight members from '08 being drafted this weekend, has been the next best story of the spring in Troy. The unit hasn't made it easy for a quarterback looking to establish himself.
That means a lot to two-time All-American safety Mays. For his sake, it's important that Carroll get this "right." Mays turned down the NFL for a chance to win a championship in his senior season. He doesn't want it screwed up by some first-time starter who throws the season away.
"I still don't think it really means anything," Mays said of Tuesday's announcement. "I think you have to get it right but it takes time to get that position. Those guys need a little bit more time to develop. I think it's still to be decided."
Let's redefine, then, what it means to be the USC quarterback.
Making sure you stay the USC quarterback.
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