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USC Football: The All-Pete Carroll Team

With spring practice in the books we enter a very dull point of the college football season. Summer ball still sits a few weeks away and the players have all gone elsewhere in their time off. With only injuries to talk about, I felt it was a good time to talk about USC's past. In this case, the past means only the last decade. Although only at SC for nine seasons Pete Carroll developed some of college football's best during his stay in Los Angeles. Let’s take a look at the players Uncle Pete was able to coach with the All-Pete Carroll team.

Carson Palmer , QB - Palmer nips Matt Leinart for first team honors mainly because he is my favorite all-time Trojan. His 2002 Heisman campaign, not only brought SC a fifth trophy, but also brought the Trojans back to relevance. The Heisman clincher against Notre Dame was still the best performance I have seen live from a Trojan quarterback.

Second Team : Matt Leinart

Reggie Bush , RB - Aside from all the negativity that currently surrounds Bush and USC, it's hard to ignore how good this guy was. Easily the most valuable player Pete Carroll coached, Bush was a difference maker that helped USC win two championships and almost a third. His homerun speed and quickness made him one of the most electric players in college football history. Although, it was technically taken away, Bush already brought SC its third Heisman trophy under Carroll.

Lendale White , RB - It's hard to think the all-time touchdowns leader in school history was overshadowed, but he was. White shared a backfield with Bush, making them one of the more dynamic backfields in college football history. While Bush did his damage in open space, White punished defenders between the tackles. Had he stayed for his senior year, White may have added an eighth Heisman Trophy to Heritage Hall and added to an already stacked legacy.

Second Team : Herschel Dennis, Stanley Havili

Mike Williams , WR - Literally not able to guard in his two years at USC. Williams was dominant above other things. His two years at Troy proved to be the two most productive years for any receiver at USC. His size alone made it impossible for a cornerback to guard him, and although he wasn't a speedster, he still left linebackers in the dust. Williams was a staple in getting SC back to dominance. When most teams recruited him as a tight end, Carroll was one of the only to give him a shot at receiver.

Steve Smith , WR - Smith beats out Dwayne Jarrett mostly because he stayed all four years at SC. In his four years, Smith won two Rose Bowls, an Orange Bowl, and narrowly lost what would have been a third Rose Bowl. His route running was second to no one and what he lacked physically, he made up mentally. Keeping his family at USC, Smith's younger brother Malcolm just ended his career at SC.

Second Team - Dwayne Jarrett, Damien Williams, Keary Colbert*

Fred Davis , TE - Davis was USC's first Mackey Award winner for the nation's best tight end. A converted wide out; Davis was able to use speed to set himself apart from other tight ends. In his senior year, Davis became one of USC's primary targets, which helped him gain notoriety and eventually get drafted to the NFL. Davis was a big part of USC's mid-2000s BCS run and is still one of Carroll's most highly-touted recruits.

Second Team - Dominique Bird

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Jacob Rogers , LT - Rogers, who was a three year starter for USC, anchored the line for the 2002-03 teams that put the Trojans back on the map. Responsible for Palmer's blindside, Rogers was also a very powerful run blocker. His career at USC ultimately got him two BCS bowl wins and a second-round selection in the NFL draft the Dallas Cowboys in 2004.

Winston Justice , RT - Justice made an immediate impact for the O-line as soon as he hit campus. Justice was moved from left to right tackle in order to cover Leinart's blindside. Considered a top pro prospect even in high school, Justice had a rare combination of size and quickness. Justice was picked early second round by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he has since signed an extension.

Second Team - Sam Baker, Tyron Smith

Deuce Lutui , LG - Lutui was a big part of one of the most efficient offenses in college football history in 2005. Among five future NFL draftees on the O-line, Lutui may have been the best run-blocker of the bunch. Known for his run-blocking, Lutui was able to open holes for the likes of Bush and White. Lutui was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals the following year and is currently a starter. He is known as the heaviest player to ever play at USC at a whopping 370 lbs.

Fred Matua , RG - Matua was more than just a good blocker, he was also one of the team's leaders and a great trash talker. Looked too emotionally, Matua brought an aspect to a very talented O-line that no one else could. He kept the team going and showed great leadership in his career at USC. Another member of that overloaded 2005 team, Matua was named an All-American that year.

Second Team : Jeff Byers, Lenny Vandermade

Ryan Kalil , C - Another member of Trojan royalty, Kalil has a brother at USC who plans to follow in his brother's footsteps as a great offensive lineman. Kalil steer-headed the offensive line in his career at USC and was named to several watch lists and All-American teams. His work ethic followed him after college as his stellar combine got him selected in the second round of the NFL draft to the Carolina Panthers.

Second Team : Kris O'Dowd

There is my All-Pete Carroll team's offense. There was only a small window of time to work with, but nonetheless an accomplished team. The defensive side of the ball will be out in a few days and should include some pretty recognizable names. Hopefully one of these days there will be an All-Lane Kiffin team, but for now it’s all Uncle Pete.

By Mick Moody
Pac10-Fans.com USC Trojans Correspondent