Fred Matua
(Image by Phil/TrojanWire)
Long overdue props to the man with the mustache. Pat Ruel has groomed offensive line juggernauts Ryan Kalil, Deuce Lutui, Sam Baker, Fred Matua and Winston Justice.
His draw is comparable to that of Ed Orgeron and has helped him win many recruits outside his position.
Possibly something that Carroll rubbed off on him:
"Pete's like a beautiful woman," Ruel said after taking the job. "The closer you get, you better look out. He is very charismatic. He can smile and make you feel like a million dollars."
Everybody should be feeling like a million bucks if the Golden Ruel can get Jeff Byers and company opening those truck-sized holes we saw against Nebraska last year.
Wherever USC's Ruel travels, offensive lines are Golden [CBSSports.com]
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Offensive line coach Pat Ruel is upset at agents again as offensive guard Chilo Rachal ponders turning pro. ``These agents told Fred Matua he was going on the first day and Winston Justice he was going in the first round. They lie.''...
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11 USC players were selected in the NFL draft — the most of any school.
- Reggie Bush – 2nd overall to New Orleans
- Matt Leinart – 10th overall to Arizona
- Winston Justice – 39th overall to Philadelphia
- Deuce Lutui – 41st overall to Arizona
- LenDale White – 45th overall to Tennessee
- Frostee Rucker – 91st overall to Cincinnati
- Dominique Byrd – 93rd overall to St. Louis
- Darnell Bing – 101st overall to Oakland
- David Kirtman – 163rd overall to Seattle
- LaJuan Ramsey – 204th overall to Philadelphia
- Fred Matua – 217th overall to Detroit
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Coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers noted that there are teams that actually like Winston Justice a little better than they do D'Brickashaw Ferguson of Virginia.
"Some of the stuff he did was absolutely off the charts for a man so big. You don't see those kinds of workout numbers from a 320-pounder. He definitely helped himself."
Other OL prospects, Deuce Lutui and Fred Matua, are ready to help USC in this year's NFL draft standings, which after the successful pro day, the Trojans look to be cleaning house...
Pasquarelli: Trojans have a trio of OL prospects [abc7.com]
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The Trojans have landed 11 of the top 100 recruits in the nation. Texas has got 9. Florida has got 8. But there are 27 top 100 recruits still undecided, and USC is on the list of almost all of them, especially the big dogs.
Here's a run-down of potential players to welcome to the Trojan family:
5-star offensive lineman Andre Smith -
Supposively gave word to hometown favorite Alabama months ago, but he could be a signing day surprise. COMMITTED TO ALABAMA.
5-star defensive tackle Gerald McCoy -
This Oklahoma native would be a huge steal from Stoops. COMMITTED TO OKLAHOMA.
5-star running back C.J. Spiller -
A country boy from Florida. Can he and his family make the adjustment to big city living? Pete Carroll certainly made an impression on his mom. He could become the 2nd C.J. of the Trojans' 2006 recruiting class. COMMITTED TO CLEMSON.
5-star running back Stafon Johnson -
Straight out of Dorsey. This kid should be a lock to stay in LA. COMMITTED TO USC.
5-star offensive lineman Stephen Schilling -
USC has a better chance at this guy then Andre Smith. Although the Trojans would like both after losing underclassmen Winston Justice and Fred Matua.
4-star running back Michael Goodson -
This kid has Reggie Bush-like moves as evidenced in the Army All-American game.
4-star running back LeSean McCoy -
Likely to remain home and attend Penn State, but he's still on the Trojans' radar since the Trojans' backfield will be playing on Sundays next season.COMMITTED TO MIAMI.
4-star linebacker Michael Morgan -
There's nothing like stealing top talent out of Texas. See Emmanuel Moody. COMMITTED TO USC.
4-star defensive back Devin Ross -
Supposively the Trojans were out of the running, but are now back on the block.
*All rankings based on Rivals.com
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USC has 5 underclassmen heading to the NFL. Tops in the nation. Next is North Carolina State with 4, and Florida has 3.
Darnell Bing S USC Junior
Cornell Brockington RB Connecticut Junior
Reggie Bush RB USC Junior
Brian Calhoun RB Wisconsin Junior
Antonio Cromartie CB Florida St Junior
Vernon Davis TE Maryland Junior
Maurice Drew RB UCLA Junior
Ray Edwards DE Purdue Junior
Anthony Fasano TE Notre Dame Junior
Charles Gordon WR/CB Kansas Junior
Willie Hall OT Middle Tennessee Junior
Devin Hester CB/KR Miami Fl Junior
Santonio Holmes WR Ohio St Junior
Chad Jackson WR Florida Junior
Omar Jacobs QB Bowling Green Junior
Johnathan Joseph CB South Carolina Sophomore
Winston Justice OT USC Junior
Brandon Kirsch QB Purdue Junior
Greg Lee WR Pittsburgh Junior
Danieal Manning DB Abilene Christian Junior
Laurence Maroney RB Minnesota Junior
Richard Marshall CB Fresno St Junior
Derrick Martin CB Wyoming Junior
Fred Matua OG USC Junior
John McCargo DT North Carolina St Junior
Stanley McClover DE Auburn Junior
Tony McDaniel DT Tennessee Junior
Derek Morris OT North Carolina St. Junior
Haloti Ngata DT Oregon Junior
Kai Parham LB Virginia Junior
Bernard Pollard S Purdue Junior
Leonard Pope TE Georgia Junior
Drouzon Quillen WR Louisiana-Monroe Junior
Ko Simpson S South Carolina Sophomore
Ernie Sims LB Florida State Junior
D.J. Smith WR Iowa Junior
Rob Smith G Tennessee Junior
Demetris Summers RB South Carolina Sophomore
Stephen Tulloch LB North Carolina St Junior
Marcus Vick QB Virginia Tech Junior
Dee Webb CB Florida Junior
LenDale White RB USC Junior
Donte Whitner S Ohio State Junior
Mario Williams DE North Carolina St Junior
Michael Williams DE Texas College Junior
Ashton Youboty CB Ohio St Junior
Vince Young QB Texas Junior
Underclassmen in the 2006 NFL Draft [Fanblogs.com]
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A decision influenced for the most part by his mother's battle with breast cancer and his family's financial situation, Fred Matua will forgo his senior season at USC and enter the NFL draft.
If Winston Justice heads to the NFL that will be the third starter to leave the USC offensive line, which was thought to largely remain intact for 2006.
While the chemistry of the O-line can never be overlooked, the transition should be eased by the return of Jeff Byers, who was slated to be a starter this season but was maligned with a hip injury.
Incidentally, it's Matua's 22nd birthday. Happy birthday dude!
Losses Piling Up for USC [LA Times]
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Ivan Maisel retraces the Bush fever that has swept over the country, and how it's changed the face of college football.
favorite Reggie Bush moments:
When I was getting recruited [from Santa Rosa Junior College in 2003], I came down for spring practice. I watched [Bush] make a fool of a couple of different guys. I said, "Whoa!" Someone said to me, "He does that every day." -- USC safety Scott Ware
Mine had to be to be the Oregon game, when he came and reversed back. He came back my way and I was able to crack back and be a part of the highlight. Reggie saw me and I saw his eyes blow up. He saw that I was able to get that guy. That one was my favorites, because I was able to be a part of it. --
USC guard Fred Matua
He's the best player I've seen in a while. I got five guys starting in the NFL at tailback. None of those guys can do what he does. -- Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville
And it goes on... this fever... and the only prescription. more Bush!
Bush could earn Heisman in landslide [ESPN via Student Body Right]
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Well arguably anyways. It looks like Dominique Byrd got snubbed at TE, but David Kirtman made it as a FB. So six first-teamers, two second-teamers, and three honorable mentions adds up to 11. Oh, and Reggie Bush was bestowed with Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
First Team Offense:
QB Matt Leinart, Sr., USC
RB Reggie Bush, Jr., USC
RB Jerome Harrison, Sr., Washington State
WR Mike Hass, Sr., Oregon State
WR Derek Hagan, Sr., Arizona State
WR Dwayne Jarrett, So., USC
TE Marcedes Lewis, Sr., UCLA
OL Ryan Kalil, Jr., USC
OL Taitusi Lutui, Sr., USC
OL Marvin Philip, Sr., California
OL Sam Baker, So., USC
OL Ryan O'Callaghan, Sr., California
Second Team Offense:
QB Drew Olson, Sr., UCLA
RB LenDale White, Jr., USC
RB Maurice Drew, Jr., UCLA
WR Jason Hill, Jr., Washington State
WR Demetrius Williams, Sr., Oregon
TE Troy Bienemann, Sr., Washington State
OL Nick Mihlhauser, Sr., Washington State
OL Enoka Lucas, Jr., Oregon
OL Fred Matua, Jr., USC
OL Grayling Love, Grad., Arizona State
OL Aaron Merz, Sr., California
USC Honorable Mentions:
OT Winston Justice, Jr., USC
FB David Kirtman, Sr., USC
FL Steve Smith, Jr., USC
Pac-10 Football Awards and All-Conference Team Announced [PacTen]
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There's been a whole lot of talk this spring that there's USC, and everbody else.
An NFL scout said that USC's offense could be drafted today. Not down the road after some collegiate experience. Today. Everyone at every spot.
That's all 11 starting positions: QB, FB, TB, WR, WR, TE, LT, LG, C, RT, RG.
That's Matt Leinart, Brandon Hancock, Reggie Bush, Dwayne Jarrett, Steve Smith, Dominque Byrd, Sam Baker, Jeff Byers, Ryan Kalil, Fred Matua and Winston
Justice. All ready to draft.
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(Photo by Joe Andras)
Two BIG reasons why USC will dominate. Fred Matua. And Deuce Lutui.
USC Spring Practive - Day 4 [WeAreSC.com]
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