Trojans Will Reload, Not Rebuild, After Loss

By Gary Klein

Feb. 26, 2004 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

USC lost the Heisman Trophy winner, a Thorpe Award finalist and three senior running backs from its 2002 team -- and still won a share of the national title last season.

So the Trojans’ confidence remained high Wednesday despite receiver Mike Williams’ announcement that he would forgo his final two seasons of eligibility and turn pro.

“We understand how to handle personnel losses and move on,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

Williams will take advantage of the recent Maurice Clarett decision that allows all underclassmen to petition for entry in the NFL draft, which will be held April 24-25.

Clarett successfully sued the NFL over its draft-eligibility guidelines that required players to be three years removed from their high school graduation date. When a federal judge in New York announced the decision Feb. 5, the 20-year-old Williams said it would not affect him.

But the consensus All-American soon began exploring his options and ultimately decided to leave USC after nearly a week of vacillating over staying or turning pro.

“I realize there are a lot of pluses and minuses to this decision,” Williams said from Tampa, Fla., in a conference call with reporters. “I realize it’s a decision that you can argue either way. I received a lot of valuable input from so many people. But it ultimately came down to me making my own decision and doing what’s best for me.”

With Williams and quarterback Matt Leinart leading the way, USC was expected to be ranked No. 1 in the 2004 preseason polls and challenge to repeat as national champion.

Now, however, USC must replace not only flanker Keary Colbert, the school’s all-time receptions leader, but Williams, who was on track to break nearly every Trojan receiving record and averaged a touchdown every 6.1 times he touched the ball.

Offensive coordinator Norm Chow acknowledged the loss of a duo that combined for 164 catches and 25 touchdowns last season, but he also pointed to a national title that was won after the departure of Heisman-winning quarterback Carson Palmer, All-American safety Troy Polamalu and running backs Justin Fargas, Sultan McCullough and Malaefou MacKenzie.

“Now it’s time for other guys to step up -- that’s what makes it fun,” Chow said.

Leinart, who had not thrown a college pass before replacing Palmer, benefited immensely from Williams’ often spectacular play and the cocky receiver’s support on and off the field. Williams caught 16 of Leinart’s school-record 38 touchdown passes, and also threw Leinart a touchdown pass in the Rose Bowl victory over Michigan.

“You can’t replace a guy like Mike, because he just does things that no one else does,” said Leinart, who finished sixth in Heisman balloting. “But having Coach Chow, we’re going to find a way. He’ll do what he does, and we’ll just execute the offense.”

Williams’ departure creates a significant opportunity for several young receivers in one of the nation’s most dynamic passing offenses.

As the third receiver last season, Steve Smith had 17 receptions and scored two touchdowns.

“I learned so much from Keary and Mike -- now the other guys are going to be asking me questions,” Smith said. “I just feel I’ve got to step up and establish a role on this team and try to be a leader.”

Said Whitney Lewis, who caught three passes as a freshman: “Mike was a poster boy, a vital part of our offense. But we can’t drop the baton.... As young guys we have to come together and succeed.”

Jason Mitchell and Chris McFoy, both of whom had two receptions last season, and William Buchanon are other returning receivers who will be challenged by incoming freshmen Fred Davis, Dwayne Jarrett and Derrick Jones.

Davis, 6-4, 220 pounds, graduated a semester early from high school in Toledo, Ohio, and is enrolled at USC. He will take part in spring practice, which begins March 6.

“It’s a big opportunity now, a chance to play and step up,” Davis said. “That’s why I came early.”

USC suffered the last time the NFL changed its draft rules to allow early departure from college. After the 1989 season, All-American linebacker Junior Seau and All-American safety Mark Carrier, both juniors, made themselves available for the 1990 draft.

The Trojans, coming off a Pacific 10 Conference title and Rose Bowl victory over Michigan, finished 8-4-1 in 1990 and lost to Michigan State in the John Hancock Bowl.

Last month, All-American defensive lineman Kenechi Udeze declared for the draft after his junior season. Now, Williams is joining him in an even earlier exit.

With spring practice starting in less than two weeks, Leinart said the Trojans are prepared to move ahead.

“I don’t see there being a letdown,” Leinart said. “We need to keep getting better as an offense, keep getting better as a defense and not look in the past, but in the future.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Top 10 NFL Draft Prospects

Times NFL writer Sam Farmer rates his top 10 college prospects for the NFL draft (April 24-25), regardless of position. This is not a predicted order of selection, because teams draft according to need:

*--* PLAYER POS SCHOOL COMMENT 1. ROBERT GALLERY T Iowa At 6 feet 7, 317 pounds, he could step in at left tackle right away. 2. ELI MANNING QB Mississippi Has NFL bloodlines, but remains to be seen if he has intense focus of brother Peyton. 3. LARRY FITZGERALD WR Pittsburgh Poised and mature, Fitzgerald has made as many acrobatic catches as anyone. 4. MIKE WILLIAMS WR USC It’s early -- most scouts have seen him only on TV -- but they love what they see. 5. ROY WILLIAMS WR Texas Sizzling speed, which could be enough to tip scales with Raiders, who have No. 2 pick. 6. TOMMIE HARRIS DT Oklahoma He isn’t enormous, but Harris is slippery enough to slip through triple-team blocks. 7. SEAN TAYLOR S Miami Safeties normally don’t go quite this high, but this guy could be the next Ed Reed. 8. BEN ROETHLISBERGER QB Miami (Ohio) Strong-armed junior tore up competition at a small school, but can he make big step up? North Carolina State’s Philip Rivers has impressed some scouts more. 9. KELLEN WINSLOW JR. TE Miami Son of a Hall of Fame tight end, has great hands and is an improving blocker. 10. CHRIS GAMBLE CB Ohio State Somebody has to cover all these quality receivers, and he’s the best corner in draft.

*--*

Wide Array of Receivers

There is a deep class of receivers for the 2004 NFL draft. The top prospects and projections based on staff research:

*--* NAME CLASS SCHOOL HT WT 2003 STATISTICS ROUND LARRY So. Pittsburgh 6-3 220 92 rec., 1,672 yards, 1 FITZGERALD 22 TDs MIKE So. USC 6-5 220 95 rec., 1,314 yards, 1 WILLIAMS 16 TDs REGGIE Jr. Washington 6-4 215 89 rec., 1,109 yards, 1 WILLIAMS 8 TDs ROY Sr. Texas 6-3 210 61 rec., 982 yards, 8 1 WILLIAMS TDs RASHAUN Sr. Oklahoma 6-2 190 77 rec., 1,367 yards, 1 WOODS State 15 TDs LEE EVANS Sr. Wisconsin 5-11 195 64 rec., 1,213 yards, 1 13 TDs MICHAEL Jr. Louisiana 6-4 200 78, 1,079, yards 10 1 CLAYTON State TDs DEVERY Sr. Louisiana 6-0 195 53 rec., 861 yards, 2 HENDERSON State 11 TDs DERRICK Jr. Clemson 6-5 215 62 rec., 1,026 yards, 2 HAMILTON 10 TDs KEARY Sr. USC 6-1 200 69 rec., 1,013 yards, 3 COLBERT 9 TDs ERNEST Sr. Virginia 6-4 220 55 rec., 886 yards, 3 3 WILFORD Tech TDs MICHAEL Sr. Ohio State 6-5 215 55, rec., 834 yards, 3 JENKINS 7 TDs JAMES Sr. Oregon 6-1 205 81 rec., 1,306 yards, 3 NEWSON State 3 TDs DEVARD Jr. Washingto 6-3 205 50 rec., 830 yards, 7 3 DARLING n State TDs JERRICHO Sr. N.C. State 6-1 200 86 rec., 1,369 yards, 4 COTCHERY 10 TDs

*--*

USC Receivers for 2004

Now that Mike Williams has decided to go pro, these are USC’s receivers for the 2004 season, with 2003 statistics (high school player touchdowns are total, not only receiving):

*--* Player Class Ht Wt 2003 Stats Steve Smith So. 6-1 190 17 rec., 319 yards, 2 TDs

*--*

Comment: Most experienced returner.

*--* Whitney Lewis So. 6-1 225 3 rec., 27 yards

*--*

Comment: Could be main beneficiary of Williams’ departure.

*--* Jason Mitchell Sr. 6-1 200 2 rec., 27 yards

*--*

Comment: Played sparingly, overcame back injury.

*--* Chris McFoy So. 6-1 190 2 rec., 23 yards

*--*

Comment: Slowed by ankle problems in 2003.