From: valdis@skat.usc.edu (Valdis Kalejs)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Trojan News Vol.3
Date: 26 Aug 1992 15:50:24 -0700
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: skat.usc.edu

USC Football 1992 (DEFENSE)

In order to be sucessfull this season, this is an area that USC MUST
improve. In '91 they averaged allowing 386.6 total yards a game (187.6
rushing,and 198.9 passing). According to Coach Smith, he will be going
with a more agressive,attacking style with a lot more stunting and blitz-
ing. They will be also moving players around more,changing up coverages
and looks on every down. Nine starters from '91 return ( 7 of the top
tacklers and 4 out 5 that had intercepted passes). Here they are:


SSOLB: Donn Cunnigan (6-2,200,So): A quick,fierce hitter that had beaten
                                   Hollimquest for the starting job this
                                   spring. Excellent coverage linbacker
                                   with a great future.

       Lamont Hollinquest (6-3,225,Sr): A big "rover" type of defender (cross
                                        between a linebacker and defensive back
                                        Missed spring drills for acedemic pur-
                                        poses and lost his starting job.

       Tarriel Hopper (6-2,225,Fr): Has excellent speed and hits very hard.
                                    Will see alot of playing time as a backup
                                    and special teams.

DT: David Webb (6-4,225,Sr): An aggressive,intense,quick big play performer.
                             He will be surely one of the leaders on defense.

    Elic Mahone (6-5,245,Jr): Made the transition from offensive to defense
                              in the spring and performed very well. Excellent
                              pass rusher with that ability to make big plays.
                              Good enough to push Webb for playing time.

   John Michels (6-7,245,Fr): Big hard hitting player that with experience,
                              will have a great future at SC.

NG: Thomas Holland (6-3,265,Jr): A tough,active,hard nosed agressive player,
                                 who is excellent against the run. Who replaces
                                 Hinz as the starter.

    Mike Hinz (6-3,265,Jr): Comming off injuries in '91 in which he had lost 
                            his starting job. He has fully recovered and does
                            expect a lot of playing time this year.

    Jeremy Houge (6-4,255,Fr): A young developing lineman who has shown promise
                               this spring.

DG: Shannon Jones (6-4,265,Jr): One of the most impressive players this past
                                spring which took the starting job away from
                                McDaniels. Makes big plays and has excellent
                                speed.

    Terry McDaniels (6-4,290,Jr): An experienced steady performer that plays
                                  best during stuts and blitzes. Must hold
                                  down weight to maintain quickness.

    Jason Uhl (6-3,265,Jr): A much improved player with lots of quickness,
                            making him one of the better pass rushers on
                            the team. As the talent to be a starter.

WSOLB: Willie McGinest(6-6,240,Jr):  The heart of the USC defense. A "Lawrence
                                     Taylor" type who is a fierce pass rusher
                                     and great against the run.

       Darren Galloway (6-4,245,Jr): A key backup player for the defense and
                                     a special teams player.

       Junior Moi (6-3,230,Jr): Missed spring practice recovering from elbow
                                surgery. He's a intense competitor and tackles
                                very well.


SSILB: Gidion Murrell (6-4,235,Jr): Slowed last year by injuries,but has fully
                                    recovered. If he stays healthy it could be
                                    a banner year for him.

       Joe Barry (6-1,235,Jr): A aggresive intense inside linebacker will see
                               a lot of action this year.

   
WSILB: Brian Williams (6-2,225,So): With his great speed, he gives SC an added
                                    dimention in the middle. Excellent blitzing
                                    and big play linebacker. One to watch in 
                                    '92.

       Jeff Kopp (6-3,235,So): Still young,but he is cut in the mold of many
                               SC's great linebackers. Can play any linebacker
                               spot,so he'll see alot of playing time this
                               year.

        Brian Haas(6-2,225,Fr): Very intense player who will see alot of time
                                in the backup role,and on special teams.


RC: Jason Oliver (5-11,190,Jr): Has already had 2 great years as a starter,
                                should have another great year in '92. Has
                                already shown the ability to make the big
                                play.

    Jerald Henry (5-8,185,So): Was an impressive cornerback as a freshman.
                               Has quick feetand is a excellent coverage
                               back.


LC: John Herpin (6-0,180,So): Had areal impressive spring and turned one of
                              the best performances of any of the players
                              during the spring. A player to watch in '92.

    Irwin Lincoln (6-0,185,Fr): Was also impressive during the spring and
                                should see a lot of playing time in the
                                backup role,and also a key special teams
                                player.


SS: Stephon Pace (6-0,190,Jr): The heart of the secondary. A all-around
                               defensive back,who is the best tackler
                               on the team,and areal big play threat.
                               Looks like he is ready for a possible
                               All-American year.

    Bruce Luizzi (6-1,205,Sr): Had a very good spring and should see alot
                               of playing time as a backup. He is the top
                               special teams player.


FS: Mike Salmon (6-1,200,Jr): Mike is a talented and a very versitile player.
                              A very good pass defender,and isvery agressive.
                              SC needs a big year out of him this season.

    Zuri Hector (6-3,205,Sr): Zuri is a talented athlete who will give SC some
                              quality depth in the secondary. He is also an
                              excellent special teams player.


The team as arrived back from training camp in Irvine and have resumed pre-
paring for the '92 season today at Howard Jones Field. More Trojan news from
the practice field soon...10days and counting!!

Fight On,
Valdis Kalejs