Q & A with Aaron Corp

By Bruce Feldman

One of the better story lines to keep an eye on this spring will be the battle for USC's vacant QB job. I was out at the Trojans' practice field the other day and watched their 7-on-7 workout. Afterward, I caught up with the guy many inside the program think is the front-runner for the job, Aaron Corp.

Q: What was your initial reaction when you heard Mark Sanchez was jumping to the NFL?

Corp: At first I thought, "Wow, that's great for Mark." And I was really excited for him. Then, I was like, "Now, let's get to work."

Q: Physically, you've grown a lot since arriving here two years ago. How much difference is there and how has that translated into your development as a quarterback?

Corp: When I came here I was 180 pounds. Now I weigh 204 and I hope to be 210 by the start of the season. My arm has gotten stronger. My body's gotten so much stronger. I'm faster, and feel more explosive.

Q: Mentally, how have things changed for you now that Sanchez isn't around here anymore?

Corp: It's become a matter of being more assertive within the team. Guys can feel your presence, especially out there on the field. It's really important in how you relate to the guys because you know they're watching you.

Q: What has the transition been like going from Steve Sarkisian to [new USC QB coach] Jeremy Bates?

Corp: I've been meeting with [Bates] every day. I really think the change is going to be for the better. We've gone over some plays that he really loves and we're trying to work those into our offense out here now.

RANDOM STUFF

• Is Oregon's decision to play on the Smurf turf in Boise gutsy or foolish, asks Ken Goe:

"If the Ducks lose it, they will be fighting an uphill battle for national respect for the remainder of the season. It's a huge gamble, but I like Oregon's willingness to take on the challenge."

My three cents: As a fan of the sport, I love it, but if I were an Oregon fan, I'd be very nervous but very excited. This one is must-watch TV, and given how much Boise's stock has elevated over the past three years, a win there will be huge for the Ducks' cred and for that of the Pac-10. Winning at Boise now in my mind carries more weight than winning in Madison, Boulder, South Bend or either Columbia. Next to beating USC, winning in Boise would be the biggest chip the Ducks would have.

Also worth noting, scheduling matters are often much trickier than they seem. Many top teams are very selective on whom they'll schedule and when they'll play. I recently heard the story about one powerhouse program offering to play someone but only wanted the game late in the year when the weather would likely be a factor.

• Is Randy Shannon going soft? Shandel Richardson had a story that I thought was fascinating given the stern approach Shannon has had since taking over the Miami program:

Shannon even allowed the media to attend the first four spring practices, insisting it's all part of the change. Now that he's earned the team's respect, he wants to ease up - just a little - as both he and the players have matured in their roles. "This year, because we're an older team, I can be more free and mess around with them," Shannon said. "I'm going to be more lively, more open, the way I was as a defensive coordinator.

Shannon came off somewhat cold with his strict rules and guidelines. When he was hired as head coach in December 2006, he made players sign contracts. They included everything from guidelines for class attendance to a no-gun policy. His image grew more fearful when his first two years were filled with players being suspended from games for violations that ranged from missing team meetings or "loafing in practice." "Really, how strict are [my rules]?" Shannon said. "I just said don't let me get a phone call after midnight. Don't carry a gun. I just made it known that I don't want those things to happen. Now, how strict am I for that, how bad of a guy am I?"

Having known Shannon for a while I still think he was the right coach to take over the program. It's also ironic that he's gotten criticized as much as he has for some of the hard-line rules he's put forth given how bad the Canes' rep has been over the past 25 years. I talked to him in his first spring as head coach and recall how reluctant he was to publicly speak about the leaders of his team because he felt that might keep other players from asserting themselves. I noticed he changed that tact last year.

I think he's still growing as a head coach as most head coaches do but it will be interesting to see this development as it unfolds with the maturation of his young team. In the early days of Butch Davis at Miami, who took over the program and was a hard-liner as mandated by then-AD Paul Dee, UM wouldn't take any risks on players. Then after a few years, the staff believed it had such a strong locker room that it could roll the dice on a player or two because they thought the players' environment within the program was solid enough to "police itself." We'll see how the Canes respond this time around.

USC running back McKnight will miss spring drills

Scott Wolf The Daily Breeze

USC tailback Joe McKnight said he will not participate in spring practice because he is still recovering from the Rose Bowl, when he dislocated four toes on his left foot on the same play during the Trojans' victory over Penn State.

"I'm not going to do spring," McKnight said. "They don't want me to."

McKnight is still applying pressure gingerly on his toes. He is doing some weight training and other drills that will not cause too much stress on the foot.

Tailback Allen Bradford, who underwent hip surgery in the fall, also said he will not participate in spring practice because he will not be cleared for contact.

Bradford said he would start running full speed the third week of March and should be 100 percent by June. He expects to be cleared for contact for training camp in August.

Also ...

Wide receiver Orson Charles of Tampa, Fla., is expected to announced his college decision today. Charles lists Georgia, Tennessee and USC as his final choices. ... Quarterback Mark Sanchez is expected to perform private workouts for the NewYork Jets and Indianapolis Colts before participating in USC's Pro Day on April 1. ... Linebacker Rey Maualuga signed with agent Gary Uberstine, who represents Trojans coach Pete Carroll.

Franklin's happy to be back at USC

Dan Woike USCFootball.com

Jethro Franklin's been here before. He knows which way to go on the Harbor Freeway. He knows where the best restaurants are. He knows where the talent is.

Abraham
Defensive line coach Jethro Franklin is happy to be back at Troy after a stint in the NFL.

Franklin said he doesn't feel lost on his second tour as USC's defensive line coach, and even though USC lost a lot of veterans up front, Franklin's confident the unit can find success in bunches.

Tuesday, he met with a few members of the media. Here is the full transcript.

Q: Have you had to be refreshed on recruiting?

Franklin: (Laughs) Definitely. Rules change. There are a few subtle changes that you have to be aware of, no doubt. That's why you have the compliance people upstairs. They keep you abreast of what's happening.

Q: How did you grow in those years as an NFL coach?

Franklin: It was tremendous. It was great. It gave me an opportunity to be around a lot of different ideas, different schemes and different ways of handling and managing people. It definitely shows you the right way, the wrong way, what you should and shouldn't do and those sorts of things. It's no different than what we all go through as you grow and mature in your profession. You just learn it and see it, write down ideas of what's good and what's bad.

Q: What was appealing about coming back to USC?

Franklin: It's a great feeling. It's an awesome feeling just to know that they want you to come back. It's always good to be wanted, no doubt. This is a great place with good people. I'm happy to do it all over again.

Q: Did you envision this happening?

Franklin: I never closed it off. I didn't close anything off; I tend to keep all options open. This was a great opportunity for me.

Q: How did it come about?

Franklin: The job came open, and obviously, that was one of the first ways it came about. I was still close with (Rocky Seto), (Ken Norton Jr.), (Brennan Carroll) and all those guys — (Todd McNair) and Coach (Pete Carroll). Pat Ruel and I worked together in Green Bay. So, I knew a lot of these guys and had worked with them. It's a good working relationship. I think that's always key. It's crucial, from my standpoint, knowing I was coming into a situation where I had good feel for the guys I was going to be working with and felt very strong about those guys.

Q: When you look at the guys returning along the defensive line, what do you see? Is it hard to evaluate because there might not be a lot of film on some of those guys?

Franklin: You see tremendous talent. You see guys who have tremendous athletic ability and guys who have natural talent. That's always what it's all about anyway. It's our job as coaches to get them in the right position and teach them the right techniques to have success. The group is young, but at the same time, they are athletic. It's going to be learning on the run, so to speak, but these guys are very eager. They have a lot pride, and they understand the tradition. They want to get this thing done right.

Q: Everson Griffen had a reputation for a poor work ethic some last season. How have your conversations with him gone so far?

	Richardson
	Franklin said he's not seen any signs of Everson Griffen's reputation for not working hard.

Franklin: Great. Everson's been great. I have heard things similar to what you mentioned, but I haven't seen it out of him at all. Whenever I come into a situation and are dealing with players, they have a clean slate. He's really been doing the things necessary at this stage to be successful. We're just going to build from there.

Q: How does being here in 2005 help you now?

Franklin: I kind of know the way around, so to speak. I know how to go from point A to point B. That helps out a lot. It cuts down on confusion and gets me where I need to go that much faster.

Q: In your mind, do you compare current players to guys like Frostee Rucker, Sedrick Ellis or Lawrence Jackson?

Franklin: I've coached those guys, and I've coached other defensive linemen along the way. Each guy, I treat them individually. I don't clump those players in with guys I've coached before. Everyone is different, and everyone can be as good as they want to be. We may have better players than those ones you just mentioned. You never know. You have to play to the best of your ability, and hopefully, these guys will respond.

The experience in coaching good players at this level and in the NFL definitely helps. I know exactly what I'm looking for and what I'm doing. I know what it takes to get it done. I stress this with all of them; we're going to be the best we can possibly be.

Q: This timing coming back was pretty difficult because of Signing Day. What was it like having to go to Devon Kennard's house and close?

Franklin: (Laughs) One of the things I enjoy most about coaching, college coaching or pro coaching, is the relationships. I'm a people person. I like to go out and talk to people. I like relationships. That's just part of it. That's just my personality, who I am, and what I'm all about. That was par for the course for me. I can deal with that, no problem. Plus, Devon's a great kid. He has a great family. Just talking to the kid and getting to know him, I just knew it was a matter of time because I know what I'm all about. I got to know what he and his folks were all about.

GM
Franklin had to step in and help seal Devon Kennard's commitment to USC before Signing Day.

There were a lot of common denominators in that as well. I know people his father is good friends with. Some of his old teammates are my good friends. It kind of worked itself out that way. It was really a positive situation.

Q: Talk about being thrown into the fire right away. That was quite a battle.

Franklin: That's all part of it though. It's part of what we do. It's just about going in there and getting it done.

Q: Did you miss recruiting?

Franklin: I'll tell you what I missed I missed getting to know the players in-depth. In the NFL, here's a guy. You draft him. Bam, there he is. You may sit down and interview the guy for seven minutes, and then you end up coaching him for two or three years. At least in college, through the recruiting process you get to develop that relationship. You get to know kids from early on up until Signing Day. In the NFL, you go to the Combine, interview a guy for seven minutes and draft him in the first round maybe. How much can you find out about a person in seven months?

Q: Do you have a preference between coaching in the NFL and coaching college?

Franklin: For me, it's all about developing players, making people do what they don't want to do in order to make them who they want to be. That's the same in college or the NFL. I love that part of it, turning young men into work. It's all work, and it's all serious work. It's work where you have to pay serious attention to detail. That's always been my approach.

Q: If at the end of the season the NFL was to come calling again, would you listen?

Franklin: (Laughs) Only for a head-coaching job. Only for a head-coaching job — and I'd question it then. My wife and my family are here. My wife was born down in Fresno. Trekking your family all over the country gets old after awhile; trust me. Moving here to Tampa and from Tampa to Houston, and before that, I was in Green Bay — all within a couple of years. When you have a 12 year old and a 10 year old, it gets old. When you tell them you have to move again and they look at you and start crying, it gets a little tougher to do. It's not all about you as much any more. It's about family.

Q: How do you want your defensive linemen to play?

Franklin: We're going to play hard. We're going to play with great effort. We're going to play physical. We're going to play smart, eliminating mental mistakes. That's really the base of it all.

Q: When you consider where the defense was last year in terms of dominance, how important is it for your line to step up.

Franklin: Every year, that's just expected. We're going to play hard and put in a good honest day's work. The good thing about this game is that it is a team game, and it starts up front. We know that. We accept that. We're going to try and set the tempo early. We'll build confidence. People always ask where confidence comes from, and I tell them it comes from previous experienced success. We'll keep working on things we've done right. When we have success, we'll point it out. We'll keep harping on the positive more than the negative.

Q: What's the plan for Nick Perry? Do you know yet?

Franklin: Yeah. I'm not sure what to say. Watching him on tape, he's a heck of a football player. People will hear his name a lot more. We have plans for him, but we just need to get out there and keep working.

Q: You mentioned getting the best out of players. Is there a balance there where you don't want to put too much pressure on them? Where you don't want them to try and be the next Fili Moala or the one who replaces Kyle Moore?

Franklin: They're going to be themselves. We're not training robots here, that's for sure. They all have personalities and ways to go about doing things. We're not going to take that away. But Coach Carroll is the head football coach. He has the ultimate job of brining everyone together. There's always more pressure that you put on yourself than anyone else can put on you. That's how I am anyways. I accept it, and I'm sure they accept it. When we recruited them and they were recruited here, they knew this day would come. They've prepared for it. As long as you're prepared, what is the pressure? The pressure is to win and play well, and if you're prepared and busting your butt… they knew what the expectations were when they were recruited here. That part of it, they're fine with. They're ready to prove to people they're ready to get it done. They're prideful guys.

Q: Have you gotten your recruiting territory?

Franklin: Nevada, Arizona and California from Modesto up to Sacramento.

Ayles hoping to be well for spring

Erik McKinney
WeAreSC Assistant Editor

When tight end Blake Ayles stepped onto the USC campus as a true freshman in 2008, most experts had him pegged as the member of the 2008 recruiting class most likely to make an immediate impact on the football field.

With Fred Davis and his Mackey Award departing to the NFL, the Trojans were left with a huge hole at tight end, and Ayles figured to go a long way toward replacing Davis and his 62 receptions for 881 yards and eight touchdowns.

For a true freshman, Ayles did contribute rather quickly, catching at least one pass in the Trojans’ first five games. But Ayles could never quite shake a knee injury that cropped up midway through the year and sidelined him for the final eight games.

In his place, tight ends Anthony McCoy and Rhett Ellison combined for 26 catches for 314 yards and a touchdown in 2008, as the receiving production was largely picked up by the Trojans’ top three wide receivers.

But in 2009, the Trojans will be without wide receiver Patrick Turner, who finished with 49 catches for 741 yards and team-high ten touchdowns. And with a new starter at quarterback scheduled to take snaps in the fall, developing a rapport with his tight ends as a security blanket could prove to be an important aspect of spring ball.

At this point, Ayles said his knee is about 70 percent healthy and he’s yet to take part in any of the seven-on-sevens with his teammates. His hope is to be back on the field by the start of spring ball.

“The motion is okay with it,” Ayles said of his knee. “But as soon as I try to get after it, I can feel right where it hurts.”

It would be one thing if Ayles was only dealing with a knee injury, but he said that there’s also a groin issue he’s dealing with, which has bothered him through high school and during his first year at USC.

“That injury was crossing over with my knee injury,” Ayles said. “We’re trying to hit rehab with everything right now. The last couple of weeks, I tried to hit it too hard, so we’re backing off with it right now and it’s feeling pretty good.”

Despite the setback, Ayles said he still hopes to be fully ready when spring ball begins on March 28.

“I’m just trying to get out there,” Ayles said of spring ball. “I want to be there at 100 percent, but if not, we’ll go from there. I just want to get out and feel good, feel comfortable with myself. Other than that, it’s just trying to keep up with the playbook.”

Both McCoy and Ellison return with Ayles in 2009, but with just three tight ends on the roster, health becomes a major issue, particularly for Ayles, who could develop into a serious threat in the passing game.

“We’ve got a few guys who can play,” Ayles said. “But that’s all we have are a few guys. It’s just us three. We’re definitely going to have to try and stay healthy throughout the season, but other than that, we know how to have fun with each other and how to compete with each other.”

If Ayles can indeed stay healthy for his sophomore season, he’ll undoubtedly improve upon the numbers (six catches for 41 yards and one touchdown) he produced as a freshman. Not only could he become a big-time redzone threat, he has the speed to stretch the middle of the field and the tenacity to play a role in the running game as well.

With spring ball rapidly approaching, the team is abundantly aware of the oncoming quarterback battle, and Ayles is certainly more comfortable with one of the options. With Aaron Corp, Ayles’ former teammate at Orange Lutheran, fighting for the starting role, Ayles feels that good things could happen with him at the helm.

“I know he likes to scramble a bit and from high school I know he likes to utilize the tight end,” Ayles said. “So he’d be getting us the ball a lot this year.”

Of course, if the three tight end options are healthy, it probably won’t matter who is playing quarterback. Finding Ayles, McCoy and Ellison should be an easy task.

If Ayles does become the first or second option at tight end this season, it will be interesting to see how the new offensive coaching staff utilizes that position and especially someone as talented as Ayles.

To this point, the Trojans haven’t really been afforded any time with new coach Jeremy Bates in practices, but Ayles said he has a feel for what he and coach John Morton will bring to the Trojan offense.

“Coach Morton filled right in with Sark (Steve Sarkisian) out, trying to get us pumped up,” Ayles said. “We’ll see throughout the season how the playbook progresses, but we’re thinking there’s good things to come from the new coaches.”

Bates Talks Quarterbacks

Brian Matthews
WeAreSC Editorial Director

Without question, the most alarming issue facing the offensive coaching staff this spring is locating a starting quarterback.

Matt Barkley, Aaron Corp, Garrett Green and Mitch Mustain have all flashed the tools necessary to run this offensive machine, newly hired offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates will have his hands full as he sifts through countless hours of practice and game films.

With little to no experience working with each of the quarterbacks, Bates has had to rely on film to witness the strengths and weaknesses of each of the candidates involved.

“I went back and looked at all the spring practices,” said Bates of the quarterback situation. “I watched the game clips that they were in, but mainly studied spring because that’s when they got the most reps. I think this spring is very important for all four guys, and it’s wide open for all of them.

“I need to be with them. I need to be in the room communicating with them on what they’re thinking and what they’re seeing on the field, communicating play by play what they’re reads are and how they’re going through it.”

The problem with viewing film is the fact that no definitive answers are produced without firsthand experience working with each individual player.

As spring football approaches, Bates understands the importance of the fifteen days of practice, including the one-on-one time he feels necessary to deem a quarterback worthy of starting at USC.

“I can only know so much on tape,” he said of his knowledge of the quarterbacks and their abilities. “This spring is going to be big. Everybody is going to get a lot of reps, and we’re going to change who is getting the first and second reps and see how everyone handles the pressure.

“This spring is going to give us a lot of answers, but all four are great players. They did great things in high school and they’ve done great things since they’ve been here, so it’s exciting.”

When asked what he is searching for in each player, Bates immediately fired back with the concept of leadership.

While the leadership qualities of each of the quarterbacks has been questioned, the spring should reveal a great deal with so much at stake.

“Number one I first want to see who’s going to be the leader,” said Bates of what he will search for in his quarterbacks. “I want to see who is going to take charge. You are the leader of this offense, you command in the huddle and the audibles and play-calling.”

This intangible aspect to the position is not only important to the quarterback, but even more instrumental in the development of the team according to Bates.

“Before we even get to the practices you have to be a leader,” he went on to say of the quarterback position and what it will take to earn the starting position. “The team is going to follow you, when you’re fired up, they’re going to follow you.

“You can’t ever get down, and leadership is the most important thing as a start. Just execution, who’s making mistakes and who’s throwing the ball away when no one is open.”

Leadership will not be the only criteria required to earn the starting job, the ability to control the game and move the team will be equally as important.

“Game management is huge,” said Bates. “We have a great defense here, and we don’t want to put them in a bad situation at any time. It’s just understanding the game and execution, at the end of the day who is moving the team.”

The competition seems to feature two frontrunners in Aaron Corp and Mitch Mustain, although incoming freshman Matt Barkley is slowly building his confidence as he looks to earn the job as a true freshman.

The question is, can a freshman realistically take the reigns of the quarterback position?

“Anything is possible,” said Bates when asked if Matt Barkley could possibly be the starting quarterback under center come time for San Jose St. “All the quarterbacks get the same shot, no one is ahead and no one is behind.

“I don’t know them on the field until we get to spring practice. I don’t want to sit here and talk about one guy specifically, but I think they’re all ready to be the next starting quarterback. We’ll just have to see who takes control during spring practices.”

As been the trend in past years, the coaching staff normally prefers to announce a starting quarterback following spring practice, providing adequate time for the time rally around that particular player and build confidence.

After speaking with Bates, that philosophy is something he certainly agrees with.

“I don’t have a timeline, but I would like to come out of spring with some kind of depth chart,” said Bates. “So everyone knows during the summer what they’re working for and what their goals should be. It could be during two-a-days, I don’t want to put a timeline on it.

“With fifteen practices I think someone is bound to take the lead.”

What makes Bates seem so calm and collected with a first year quarterback as a first year offensive coordinator?

Is it the expectations and recruiting rankings lumped on the shoulders of each of the candidates?

No. His quiet confidence seems to stem from the return of nine-of-eleven starts on the offensive side of the ball, most importantly, the offensive linemen up-front.

“More importantly having the offensive line coming back makes life a lot easier,” he said of the quarterbacks and their effectiveness during their first year with extended repetitions. “I don’t care what level you’re in, you can always establish the run to help get it (the passing game) going.

“We have all the running backs back. With that being said, it makes it easier for a young quarterback without placing the whole thing on your shoulders.”

After being presented with the question of just how much these teenagers could learn, Bates was more than impressed with the work ethic and hours of studying the game at USC.

A little surprised at first with the amount of knowledge these players can take in, he sees no limitations in what he can teach each individual player.

“I’ve studied the last month the passing game and the running game,” said Bates of just how much information he can cram into the minds of the USC football players. “I’m very impressed with how much they can handle. I’m going to find out in spring just how much they can, but right now looking at it, these kids are studying the game and they like the game.

“They’re putting the work into it to handle everything. What I’m witnessing upstairs, these guys are smart kids. They’re shifting, they’re motioning and they’re doing a lot of football. So right now I’m going to throw it all at them.

“Right now there doesn’t seem to be any limitations as to how much you can give them.”

The age difference from college to the NFL is substantial, although Bates firmly believes that everything can be traced back to a love of the game and a desire to always improve.

He cited the vast differences in age amongst the quarterbacks he had coached in his career, falling on polar opposite ends of the spectrum.

“We had (Jay) Cutler as a rookie,” said Bates of dealing with a teenager as opposed to a professional. “You’re going to get a free agent or draft a kid that’s 21-22. I don’t think there’s a big difference, these kids love football.

“I don’t care if you’re 10 or 25 or even Brad Johnson was 35 when we coached him at Tampa. It’s just football, they love the game and want to study football. The more information you can give them to get better, they’re going to take it and run with it. I don’t think there’s a difference from college to the NFL, you’re still coaching football.”

With this USC program remaining firm as one of the last pro-style offensive systems in college football, Bates cited that simple fact as one of the determining factors in his decision to coach at USC.

In the age of the “Wildcat” and spread-option offenses, the former Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator admired the execution at the college level.

“There’s no question,” answered Bates in regards to the USC pro-style offense making his decision any easier. “There’s some teams out there that do some great things offensively, but if you’re not from that family, it’d be a challenge.”

While no one is really sure what to expect from the offense next year, the tools are in place to improve upon last season’s numbers.

Only time will tell.

Ryan Davidson: In remembrance of a true Trojan

Pete Carroll

Ryan Davidson’s impact is celebrated during a moving ceremony Saturday in Wisconsin


By Ben Malcolmson
USCRipsIt
PeteCarroll.com


SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — On a snowy morning in this small Wisconsin town, a very warm celebration honored the life of a person with an extremely large impact on those around him.

More than 300 family and friends took part Saturday in a powerfully moving memorial service for Ryan Edward Davidson, a teenager who first came out to USC in 2004 on a Make-A-Wish trip but soon became an eternally inspirational part of the Trojan Family.

Ryan battled cancer for 9½ years, surviving four brain surgeries and 60 rounds of radiation treatment, before passing away Feb. 19. But Saturday’s memorial service didn’t focus on his death — it instead focused on his life, his lasting impact and the hope that comes from such a fulfilled existence like Ryan’s.

“He will always bring us joy,” Coach Pete Carroll said during his five-minute speech. “We were the ones who were blessed by our relationship and friendship with Ryan. He will always be with us and always be a special part of our family.”

He only lived 16 years — to the day, since he passed away on the afternoon of his birthday on Feb. 19 — but if you evaluate a lifetime in terms of influence instead of years, Ryan without question lived an overflowing life.

The value and impact of Ryan’s life could begin to be measured by looking at the roster of speakers — a Heisman Trophy winner four weeks removed from the Super Bowl, the nation’s most prominent college football coach and an NFL executive.

Ryan taught those around him that you quantify life not in the years you live but in the lives you touch. During a video tribute to Ryan, a quote read, “to the world you might just be one person, but to one person, you might be the world.”

Thing is, Ryan was the world to way more than one person.

“We are better people because we have been inspired by a boy and his story,” Sun Prairie United Methodist Church pastor Susan Bresser said. “While cancer has taken his body far too soon, his spirit will continue to touch and inspire this world as long as there are people.”

“There’s so much to celebrate about Ryan’s life,” SPUMC pastor Scott Carlson said at the onset of the two-hour ceremony. “We will laugh, we will cry, and we will remember and thank God for Ryan’s life.”

Sun Prairie United Methodist Church was the setting for the gloriously uplifting service, which drew a standing-room-only crowd that stuffed into a quaint sun-filled sanctuary in this small community outside of Madison, Wis. The location was fitting considering the Trojans were once called the Fighting Methodists, and there might not have been a more appropriate description for Ryan.

Many of the 11 speakers in the two-hour ceremony referred to Ryan’s never-give-up attitude, glowing smile, sparkling eyes and contagious personality. Hope, joy and perseverance were common themes of the service, with Ryan continually lauded for living life to the fullest. And during his short time on earth, Ryan set an example of selflessness that melted even a Heisman Trophy winner.

“He was battling for his life but he was always more concerned with how other people were doing,” Matt Leinart said as he held back tears during a five-minute address. “He inspires me everyday.”

Leinart was just one in a line of speakers who spoke so highly of the 16-year-old boy who somehow had the impact of a lifetime on people young and old.

And Ryan’s reach stretched far and wide — from USC to Sun Prairie, Wis., to even the NFL headquarters in New York.

“He’s changed us all forever,” Nancy Gill, the NFL’s senior vice president of human resources, said during her brief address.

Dwan Johnson, an employee of the American Cancer Society who worked closely with Ryan during his fundraising campaign, spoke of Ryan’s desire to raise more money than ever before “so that no kid would ever have to go through what he battled.” Johnson excitedly shared of Ryan’s successes, as he has raised $35,181 this fiscal year alone and about $71,000 since he started his campaign four years ago.

Ryan’s close friend Spencer Leibl shared stories of the two of them playing video games all night and pulling pranks on neighbors.

“Ryan was a hero to everyone but we’ll always remember how good of a friend he was,” Leibl said.

Carroll’s heartfelt speech centered on the power of Ryan’s positive attitude and his undying spirit.

“He’s a remarkable young man; he never backed off,” Carroll said. “We always talk about maximizing your potential and being all you can be. Ryan Davidson has always done that.”

Carroll added that the 2009 home-opener will feature a pre-game ceremony for Ryan and that the Davidson family — Ryan’s parents, Kirby and Amy, and his 19-year-old sister Mallory — are always welcome to attend any game as a special guest of the program.

Leinart followed Carroll, and he talked about playing Halo and virtual golf with Ryan on his many trips to Arizona to watch the Cardinals. Leinart said Ryan taught him through their unlikely friendship to “never give up no matter what the challenges are.”

“He was the bravest, most courageous person I’ve ever met in my life,” a choked-up Leinart said before turning to the casket and addressing Ryan with tears welling up in his eyes. “I just feel blessed to be your friend. You will always be my friend. I love you.”

Ryan had not only won over the USC community, but he had also converted his hometown to become Trojan fans. Family and friends frequently said that the town was full of USC followers — all thanks to Ryan and his connection with the Trojans.

Ryan had won them over, just like he had won over the Trojan Family. The church was festooned with USC paraphernalia, the flower arrangements featured almost all cardinal-and-gold roses and the two pastors even wore specially designed stoles with USC-logoed fabric on one side.

But before Ryan spread his love of the Trojans to his hometown, he first embraced USC nearly five years ago. And USC in turn embraced him back.

Davidson attended the Cal game in 2004 and about one per year from there on out, going to the USC-Nebraska game in Lincoln in 2007 and then hitting a peak with the 2008 USC-Arizona State game last season.

Ryan received dire news of his spreading cancer just a week before, but that mid-October day might have been his most memorable. He was selected as an honorary game captain, held the sword and directed the band at the Friday pep rally, led the team out of the tunnel and even received the game ball following the Trojans’ 28-0 win that day.

“We believe the reason Ryan fought so long and so hard was because of the love and support he received from so many,” Kirby Davidson said during his address during the service.

Kirby Davidson also breathlessly talked about how Ryan never said “why me?” during his nearly decade-long fight with cancer. And because of that, along with so many other reasons, Ryan now has an impact that will live forever.

Following the memorial service, the attendees participated in a balloon release, which included a spine-tingling sight when a majestic hawk soared across the sky through the cardinal, gold and white balloons. Then, a graveside service consisted of a release of doves, a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace” and a final casket viewing. As temperatures dipped near the single digits on a windy winter day, spirits soared high thanks to the warmth bestowed by remembering Ryan's life.

“Though Ryan is not physically with us, his spirit continues to bring us hope and peace,” said Carlson, one of the SPUMC pastors.

During his remarks at the memorial service, Kirby Davidson shared a recent quote from his son that epitomized Ryan’s life.

“Ryan told me, ‘I don’t even know why I’m such an inspiration to people,’” Kirby recollected. “‘I’m just being me.’”

Well then, thanks for being you, Ryan. You have inspired and touched us more than you could ever imagine.


Mark Sanchez, Coach Carroll and Matt Leinart sit in a private open-casket viewing prior to the memorial service.


The sanctuary of the Sun Prairie United Methodist Church was filled to overflowing for Ryan Davidson’s memorial service on Saturday.


Coach Carroll looks over the casket with Ryan Davidson watching down from above.


Coach Carroll addresses the crowd.


Matt Leinart speaks during the memorial service.


Matt Leinart and Kirby Davidson hug following Leinart’s speech.


With the Davidson family portrait on the screen behind them, Coach Carroll and Matt Leinart hug following Leinart’s speech.


Ryan Davidson had such an affinity for USC that the pastors wore stoles with USC logos on them in honor of Ryan.


The cover of the program for Ryan Davidson’s memorial service.


The attendees of Ryan Davidson's memorial service take part in a balloon release containing cardinal, gold and white balloons.


Coach Carroll participates in the final casket viewing at the cemetery.


Ryan’s family — sister Mallory, mother Amy and father Kirby — watch as the bagpiper plays “Amazing Grace” at the gravesite.


Ryan Davidson’s 19-year-old sister Mallory releases a dove at the graveside ceremony.

Tenacity of Ryan Davidson, USC football's biggest fan, inspires many

WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL

By TOM MULHERN

Ryan Davidson never understood the big deal.

Stricken with brain cancer since the age of 6, the Sun Prairie boy led a valiant fight against the insidious disease and inspired everyone who came in contact with him — from friends and neighbors to the University of Southern California football team.

But Ryan couldn't fathom the impact he had on so many people.

"He told us one day, 'I just don't understand why people say I inspire them so much. I'm just being me,' " said Kirby Davidson, Ryan's father.

Ryan's nearly 10-year battle with cancer ended when he passed away on Feb. 19, his 16th birthday. He endured four brain surgeries, 60 rounds of radiation, 25 months of chemotherapy and a variety of experimental drugs.

His doctors gave him the news last fall: There was nothing more they could do. Ryan hugged the doctors and told them they did the best they could. And then, the simple message adopted from the USC Trojans, his favorite football team, "Fight On."

"In talking with his doctors later, I don't think they had ever experienced something like that," Kirby Davidson said. "Here's a child that's been told, 'There's nothing further we can do for you,' and he's supporting them."

Pete Carroll has coached some of the biggest names in college football in eight years at Southern Cal, players like Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and Troy Polamalu. Carroll called Ryan, "as great a competitor as we've ever had in the program."

Make no mistake, Ryan was considered to be a part of the program the past five years, from his first trip to Los Angeles to watch the Trojans beat California in 2004. No one exemplified the team's motto of "Fight On" more than he did.

"He is the definition of fighting on," Leinart said. "The definition of strength, courage, all those things. I told him that every time I saw him and talked to him."

'A big giver'

Of all the remarkable things that happened to Ryan since he was embraced by the USC family, nothing meant more to him than his friendship with Leinart, the star quarterback and Ryan's favorite player.

Kirby Davidson grew up a USC fan and met Jim Phillips, a member of the Trojans' board of directors. Phillips, who lost his first wife to cancer, heard about Ryan and made arrangements for the initial trip.

Ryan got a chance to tour Heritage Hall, where the USC football offices are located. He sat in on a quarterbacks meeting and attended practice. It didn't take long for the players to fall in love with the skinny 11-year-old boy with the wide smile and indomitable spirit.

"He's so smart and he was so sociable and you could just tell he was on Cloud Nine being there," Leinart said. "When he went to the team meeting room, coach Carroll carried him on his shoulders and we sang "Fight On." It kind of made everybody choke up a little bit. It was such a great moment."

The Trojans went on to win the 2004 national title, defeating Oklahoma in Miami in the title game. The entire Davidson family, including parents Kirby and Amy as well as sister Mallory, flew to Florida for the game.

Ryan was considered a good-luck charm for the team and stories were written about him in newspapers in California, as well as the State Journal. But it went a lot deeper than that for most of the coaches and players. Ryan gave more than he got.

"He was a big giver," Carroll said. "He gave of himself in the toughest of times."

Friend and inspiration

On the trip home from the hospital, after getting the news there was nothing more the doctors could do, Ryan came up with the idea of setting a fund-raising record for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Since he was 15 at the time, he set a goal of $15,000. With the help of his CaringBridge Web site, he quickly doubled that, raising more than $30,000.
The reason for doing it, he told his dad, was "because I don't want any other kid to have to go through what I've gone through."

After Leinart was drafted by the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, he stayed in touch with Ryan. Leinart would call Ryan and the two played video games online. Each season, Leinart arranged to have Ryan and his dad fly to Phoenix for a game. The highlight of the weekend was Leinart and Ryan, sitting on the couch together, two buddies watching college football and catching up.

"It really turned into a friendship," Leinart said. "That's the hardest part about it now. We all know he is in a better place and he's not suffering anymore, (but) what an incredible person and friend we all lost."

Ryan was fiercely loyal to the Trojans. He attended seven USC games and the only loss was to Texas, 41-38 in the 2006 Rose Bowl.

"We were in the stands, Texas had just scored the winning touchdown," Kirby Davidson said. "Ryan said, 'We need to go.' He was tearing up. He said, 'I just can't stand to watch this. These are like my brothers to me.' "

Leinart, who has a son, said he is a better father because of Ryan, who inspired Leinart to get his charitable foundation involved in the Make-A-Wish program, sponsoring the wishes of 12 kids per year.

Ryan gave Leinart a necklace with a picture of them from the first time they met. It hangs around the rear-view mirror in Leinart's car, so he can see it and think about Ryan every day. Meanwhile, Ryan will be buried in his favorite Leinart jersey on Saturday.

"I just wish I could be like him one day," Leinart said. "He has inspired so many people, his strength and courage and determination and how he kept going. He was battling his heart out. Such an amazing boy."

A final goal

The culmination of Ryan's relationship with USC came last October, when he made his final trip to California for a game against Arizona State. He led the band at the pep rally the day before the game using a sword for a baton, an honor usually reserved for a player.

Carroll choked up, watching a slightly unstable Ryan being supported on the ladder by players.

"He deserved to be part of it," Carroll said of the honor. "He earned his way, just like everybody else did, by fighting on. We'll always hold him very dear in our hearts."

Ryan was named an honorary captain for the game and led the players out of the tunnel. He walked to midfield with the captains for the coin flip, and he was given a game ball after the Trojans' victory. Ryan was invited to so many events that weekend, Kirby Davidson joked that he felt more like Ryan's agent than his father.

"To walk out in the Coliseum, through the tunnel with the team and to hear 90,000 fans screaming for you, he felt it," Kirby Davidson said.

Through all of his treatments, Ryan always beat the odds. He survived longer than expected. Kirby Davidson strongly believes all the love and support kept him going, as well as having so many things to look forward to.

Ryan wanted to reach his 16th birthday. It was important to him to be 16. Like he did so many other times in his treatment, he set a goal and reached it.

"Somebody wrote to us and said, 'Only saints are called home on their birthdays,' " Kirby Davidson said. "Near the end, he was really fighting, because he wanted to be 16 and he made it to his 16th birthday. That's just him.

"His body couldn't survive for the whole day, but he was with us for part of it. It's like when we were at USC the last time and he had all these different gigs to get to. He had other things to do that day. He had a bigger birthday celebration waiting for him."

Galippo the new man in the middle of USC's defense

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Chris Galippo confesses that he might not consistently blow up opposing ball carriers with the single-minded zeal of Rey Maualuga, the beast of a linebacker he's expected to replace in the middle of the USC defense this spring, but he's quick to point out that the Trojans aren't exactly replacing prime rib with chopped liver.

"I think we both have a good knack for finding the football," he said. "We both can make a play anywhere on the field, whether it's dropping back into our Tampa-2 look in the middle third, or whether it's making plays in the backfield. We're both sideline-to-sideline players."

Galippo, who ran a 4.72 40-yard dash this week at 240 pounds, seems completely at ease ascending to the spot that has produced NFL All-Pro Lofa Tatupu and Maualuga, a certain first-round draft pick this spring, over the past five seasons.

His pedigree is certainly the equal of Maualuga. Both were USA Today and Parade Magazine prep All-Americans. Both were generally considered the premier inside linebacker in their recruiting classes.

Galippo, some might remember, made 11 tackles in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio and became the first defensive player to earn game MVP honors as the West held the East to just 57 yards.

He recorded 381 career tackles at Servite High in Anaheim, Calif., where he also blocked 10 kicks.

Want some more numbers? Against one team, he recorded 15 tackles, four sacks and blocked two field goal attempts while producing 143 all-purpose yards as a receiver, running back and tight end.

So, no, chopped liver Galippo is not.

Of course, there is that pesky back.

Galippo immediately saw action as a true freshman in 2007, but his season ended with a herniated disk, which required surgery. Fortunately for him, he was allowed to reclaim a redshirt because he'd only played in the first three games.

But back injuries are tricky. His was still bothering Galippo well into the 2008 season, though he did end up with 12 tackles -- two for a loss -- and an interception.

Here's an early guess on what might become the affable Galippo's least favorite subject.

"I don't think it's an issue," he said. "I guess it is for the media. It's kind of the only thing that's hovering over my head right now. I know with the coaches that's their main concern -- can I stay healthy? I know that's a lot of people's concern. But I've never been healthier."

Galippo won't be the only new guy in the Trojans front seven when spring practices kick off on March 28. In fact, the only returning starter is nose tackle Christian Tupou.

Toss in Rocky Seto ascending to defensive coordinator after Nick Holt bolted for Washington, and this appears to be a spring of transition for the Trojans (though, notably, head coach Pete Carroll will continue to call the defensive plays).

On Galippo's linebacker flanks, juniors Michael Morgan and Malcolm Smith will try to step in for All-American Brian Cushing and Rose Bowl MVP Kaluka Maiava.

"We've got a bunch of guys who are hungry and want to make a name for themselves," Galippo said. "It hasn't been like that at USC for a while. We've had a lot of superstars here over the last four or five years."

Then he adds, "I really don't see there being much of a drop off."

Really? Galippo is talking about replacing six players who all will be drafted, with Maualuga, Cushing, end Clay Matthews and tackle Fili Moala likely to go on the first day.

Lest you think, however, that Galippo is counting his sacks before they're made, know that he is completely aware of the USC system, which features constant competition for playing time.

Galippo's pedigree and potential don't matter any more. Now it's all about production.

"All it takes is a mistackle here or a missed assignment there, and someone else is getting subbed in," he said. "The coaches do a really good job of keeping the competition level high. We joke around sometimes that when you play ball at 'SC, you never really think you're a good football player until after the season. The coaches are so intense and are so good at holding such a high standard that you never really feel like you are producing enough until you look back after the season."

The good news for USC fans is Galippo seems perfectly comfortable that the standard he faces is Tatupu and Maualuga.