Waiting Isn’t Easy, but Booty Is Patient

Matt Leinart will be near the top of Heisman Trophy lists in 2004 and has apparently entrenched himself as USC’s starting quarterback for the next two seasons.

Is strong-armed freshman John David Booty getting ready to scramble?

“I’m not considering transferring or anything, if that’s what people are thinking,” Booty said this week.

Booty, who gave up his senior football season at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, La., to enroll at USC, had hoped to challenge for the spot left vacant by 2002 Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer.

But Booty was slowed by back problems and shin splints during training camp when Leinart began asserting himself as the starter.

With Leinart’s status questionable because of injuries sustained against Arizona State on Oct. 4, USC coaches elevated Booty to No. 2 on the depth chart the next week. He lost a possible redshirt year when he played in the second half against Stanford, and he played in three other games before fracturing his left wrist when he was sacked against UCLA on Nov. 22.

“I came here thinking that I would eventually have the opportunity to play and learn from the best, and I truly believe that somewhere along the line I’m going to get that opportunity,” said Booty, who completed seven of 14 passes for 90 yards. “Matt’s had a wonderful year, we’re playing for the national championship. You can’t ask much more from a quarterback than that. He’s done that, you’ve got to give it all to him. He’s played well.”

Booty, who will turn 19 two days after the Rose Bowl, said he is looking forward to competing with Leinart and other quarterbacks during spring practice.

“Whatever happens, happens,” he said. “If I don’t play next year, I can consider redshirting, and then I’d at least have a year or two to play before I left.”

In regard to redshirting Booty next season, offensive coordinator Norm Chow said, “It’s way too early to make that call.”

Leinart empathizes with the talented freshman.

“I was here, sitting, for two years. It’s very difficult,” Leinart said. “I was in the dumps for a while. You have to put your life in perspective and kind of focus on what you want to do. And when the opportunity comes, you have to be ready.”

Booty said his experience in the UCLA game reminded him of the fragile nature of the position and the opportunities that arise because of injuries.

“You saw with me, I was in for two series, got a broken wrist and I’m out for six weeks,” he said. “That could happen to Matt on the first play next year. It could happen to any of us.”

Booty said he still dreams of becoming a first-round draft choice in the NFL, and possibly, the first player picked.

“I’m going to get my dream one day, but it may not be exactly how I want it,” he said. “God’s got his plan for what he wants in my life. He’s put me here right now to be with these guys and on this team. If he changes my mind ... then I’ll go down that road. But as of right now I’m just here doing everything I possibly can to better myself.”