The Replacements

USC linebacker Keith Rivers feels the pressure.

Almost all of it, the sophomore says, is self-inflicted and stems from his desire to get the most out of his vast athletic potential.

Rivers, though, acknowledges another source. Expectations. Especially those that come with replacing Matt Grootegoed.

“You try not to let it get to you, but still, obviously, it’s going to be there,” Rivers said. “The guy was an All-American. I’m just trying to take a step forward each day.”

Rivers is among several new Trojan starters stepping into roles that were filled for two or more seasons by All-Americans or senior leaders. Their performances could determine whether top-ranked USC wins a third consecutive national title.

Grootegoed, undersized at 5 feet 11, 215 pounds, was not drafted by an NFL team, but he was a cornerstone of USC’s return to prominence, a playmaker who helped the Trojans dismantle Oklahoma in last season’s bowl championship series title game.

Rivers is more the prototype. At 6-3 and 220, he is among the Trojans’ fastest defensive players. Last year, he backed up Grootegoed at the weak-side spot and also played as a rush end in passing situations.

“Now he’s in that star role; he doesn’t come off the field, he plays third down and we’re depending on him to excel,” linebacker coach Ken Norton said.

Grootegoed, who went to training camp as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said Rivers would flourish under the continuing tutelage of linebacker coaches Norton and Rocky Seto, and Coach Pete Carroll, who also serves as defensive coordinator.

“They’re going to mold him,” Grootegoed said. “He has the raw talent, the speed and athletic ability. It’s just a matter of time before he becomes great. Maybe a couple full games.”

The timetable for other new starters could vary.

Sophomore Sedrick Ellis replaces All-American nose tackle Mike Patterson, and senior LaJuan Ramsey replaces All-American tackle Shaun Cody.

Patterson, a first-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, said Ellis and Ramsey would be fine if they did not try to do too much. Ellis, though, is replacing a player who started 38 games in his college career and recorded 46 tackles for losses, including 21 1/2 sacks.

“I’m sure some people are going to expect him to do some things I did, but he’s his own player,” Patterson said.

Junior Oscar Lua will open the season at middle linebacker, filling the spot vacated by All-American Lofa Tatupu, a second-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks who led the Trojans in tackles for two consecutive seasons. Lua came back from two knee surgeries and will try to hold off a push from a crop of talented freshmen.

“I have no doubt Oscar will be able to fill the void,” Tatupu said. “He’s in a little more of a cover situation because he has guys with less experience up front. But you talk about a tough guy, he had two major knee operations and came back to win the starting job.

“He’s bigger than me, faster than me, stronger than me. Once he gets that mental aspect down, it’s going to be scary because he’s a gamer.”

On offense, versatile Taitusi Lutui replaces versatile John Drake at right guard. Lutui started at right tackle last season, but has been replaced there by junior Winston Justice, a two-year starter who missed last season because of a suspension.

Drake said Lutui’s biggest challenge would be coping with close quarters.

“At tackle there’s a lot more room,” Drake said. “If you make a mistake, there’s time to recover because the guy still has to go around you to get to the quarterback. At guard, the margin of error is a lot smaller.”

Sophomore Mario Danelo and freshman Troy Van Blarcom also cannot afford mistakes as they combine to replace kicker Ryan Killeen.

Danelo will kick field goals and extra points, Van Blarcom kickoffs.

“Mario was always on my tail for field goals; I think he’ll be very consistent,” said Killeen, USC’s all-time leading scorer. “He’ll convert when they need him to.

“Van Blarcom, from what I know, has a strong leg. So they should be fine on kickoffs.”

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Times staff writer Sam Farmer contributed to this report.

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IN THEIR WORDS

Mike Patterson, on his replacement at nose tackle, Sedrick Ellis:

“He’s a wonderful athlete. He was stronger than me when I came in. He’s going to do some damage. I’m not worried about my spot.”

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Matt Grootegoed, on his replacement at weak-side linebacker, Keith Rivers:

“The pressure and the expectations of everybody are so big. The playing, the bumps and bruises, the preparation. He didn’t really have to deal with that stuff, but he’ll pick it up quick.”

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Former safety Jason Leach, on advice he’d give to the Trojans:

“It’s a long season. If they look ahead, that’s when something’s going to happen. They have to win every game. There can’t be any game where they mess up and all of a sudden we end up in a national championship tie again.... For me, we’re going to win it all. But for the guys on the team, don’t look too far ahead.”

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John Drake, on offensive guard Taitusi Lutui and the line:

“Deuce is more than capable. Since he came to USC he showed he was physical and would do what it takes. It’s probably going to be a better O-line than it was last year. Last year we had a lot of first-year starters. This year there’s a lot of experience.”

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Ryan Killeen, on USC’s talent:

“The talent that is still there is phenomenal. The talent there is just ridiculous. ... People are asking me, ‘Is Reggie as good as he looks? What about the tight end? Leinart?’ Everyone would kill to have that talent. And they still have Coach Carroll there.”