Saturday Spotlight - The linebackers of Troy
by Eric Loomis
A dominant corps of linebackers.
They make the tackles, run down the ball carriers, track the tight ends and make all the reads. They can change the game at any moment with a big hit or breathtaking sack. There have been some great linebacker units in the past, and the one thing they all had going for them was intimidation. This season the Southern California Trojans linebackers will most certainly strike fear into the hearts of those they oppose.
Though three-year starter Keith Rivers has departed for a big-time Sunday paycheck, the linebackers of Southern California are still the most fearsome and talented group in the country. Leading the way is Rey Maualuga, a 6-3, 250-pound middle linebacker who is just flat out scary. The combination of speed, talent and intimidation that Maualuga brings to the table have him rising up draft boards fast and will certainly make him perhaps the most intimidating defender in all the land in addition to making all the scouts drool. Not far behind Maualuga, in terms of talent and general intimidation, is Brian Cushing.
Cushing is a 6-4, 240-pound workout warrior who is coming into the 2008 season finally healthy and playing at his natural position after dealing with being moved around the field in 2006 and suffering through an ankle injury in 2007. If Cushing is able to produce to his talent level, stays healthy and puts up the workout numbers he is expected to, he certainly has the potential to play a big-time role on Sundays and could see his name called very early come draft day.
Rounding out the group of starters is veteran Kaluka Maiava who certainly passes the eyeball test when it comes to striking fear and is the nephew of former WWE superstar and current actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Maiava recorded more than 40 tackles in 2007 in spot backup duty and will come into this season with something to prove. Adding depth to the group is a player whose name alone will add some intimidation, Clay Matthews Jr. Matthews, the son of former Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons linebacker Clay Matthews filled in for the injured Cushing last season in addition to seeing some time at defensive end. Though he may never be the player his father was, Matthews would most likely be a multi-year starter on most college teams and will come into this season, his last as a collegian, looking to make an impact.
Whatever “it” is, the linebackers from USC have it. They all run like deer, hit like sledgehammers and play with incredible heart and desire. If they can all stay healthy, they will be the most dominant force on defense in college football. At some point, the comparisons to the phenomenal group of linebackers Ohio State put together in 2005-06 will begin. Will Maualuga, Cushing and Maiavia turn out to be a unit then AJ Hawk, Bobby Caprenter and AJ Trepasso? Only time can answer that question but with the amount of natural talent and the first round potential for the Men Of Troy, I wouldn’t bet against it.