The Sons Could Rise This Fall

Coach Pete Carroll’s willingness to reconnect with the glory days of the USC football program continued Monday when quarterback Michael McDonald, the son of former Trojan quarterback Paul McDonald, said he would join the team as a nonscholarship player in the fall.

McDonald’s decision means that the sons of four members of USC’s 1977 team, including three All-Americans, could be on the field when USC opens training camp in August. Before Carroll was hired, several sons of former Trojan standouts went elsewhere, most notably former UCLA linebacker Ryan Nece, the son of USC All-American Ronnie Lott.

McDonald, 6 feet 3 and 215 pounds, passed for 1,846 yards and 15 touchdowns in 11 games for Newport Harbor High last season with only four interceptions in 219 attempts. His father, an analyst on USC radio broadcasts, ran the offense for USC’s 1978 national championship team and was an All-American.

In March, 1979 Heisman Trophy winner Charles White said his son Ashton, a running back from Santa Margarita High, planned to walk on in the fall. White was the Serra League most valuable player in 2001. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last season.

Lofa Tatupu, a transfer from Maine vying to become the starting middle linebacker, is the son of former Trojan fullback Mosi Tatupu, who played for the Trojans’ 1974 national champions and finished his college career in 1977.

Redshirt junior safety Kyle Matthews, a walk-on, is the son of Clay Matthews, a linebacker who was on the 1974 team and earned All-American honors in 1977 before starting a 19-year NFL career.

In addition, senior cornerback Kevin Arbet is the stepson of former Trojan receiver Jeff Simmons, who completed his eligibility in 1982.

Michael McDonald said he talked to several Division I-AA schools and contemplated playing at a community college before speaking to Carroll and deciding to walk on. McDonald is well aware that the Trojans already have four returning quarterbacks and highly-touted incoming freshman John David Booty, who announced last week that he was skipping his senior year in high school and enrolling at USC this fall.

“Growing up, everything was SC and I dreamed of going to school and being on the team,” said McDonald. “I know who is there and who is coming in, so whatever they want me to do is fine. The coaches expect me to work hard and compete. If I get a chance, I have to be ready.”