Kareem Kelly glanced at a running tape recorder and thought twice about revealing his secret ... but only paused as long as it takes him to explode out of a set of starting blocks.

"I'm a real emotional person, on and off the field, because of all the love and attention I got as a young boy," he said. "I was kind of a momma's boy. But, see, I don't show my opponents that, that I'm real emotional. But I am. I can be tough, though."

As tough as a buffalo soldier, which was his impetus for getting a tattoo of legendary reggae singer Bob Marley on his left arm. Don Norford, Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High's famed track coach, likened Kelly's smooth, relaxed and powerful gait to that of a cheetah.

A three-time state champion sprinter as a prepster, Kelly considers himself a footballer who runs track, though. Even though he has qualified for the World Junior Championships in the 100 and 200 meters as a Trojan, his heart is with his helmet.

No other sophomore in the history of USC football has accomplished what Kelly has, and he is on pace to break Johnnie Morton's career marks in receptions (201) and receiving yardage (3,201).

Lately, however, it has been tough luck for the Trojans. Kelly is 11-13 in a USC uniform, and he was dumbstruck last year when he altered routes without getting corrected. New wide receivers coach Kirby Wilson watches every step Kelly takes.

"Coaches we have now point out everything. Look, you were a yard short on that route," Kelly said.

"It's important for me and (quarterback) Carson (Palmer) to be on the same page this year. It must be like we're playing catch out there, where he knows where I'll be and I know where the ball will be."

As the losses mounted the last two seasons, Kelly revealed his thoughts and emotions only to his mother.

"I take losses real hard. I don't show it, but deep down inside it hurts real bad," he said.

"I don't like to show people my pain, my weakness. Never show weakness. I am tough, but I can be real emotional."

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