Trojans Spring Into a New Era

A 34-game winning streak and hopes for a third consecutive Associated Press national title ended in January, courtesy of Texas.

Two Heisman Trophy winners, the school’s all-time leader in touchdowns and three former starting offensive linemen are preparing for the NFL draft.

So when USC opens spring practice today at Howard Jones Field, the Trojans will begin a new era.

“We’ve done all these things before, so it’s an exciting time to get this thing cranking and see the new faces of who will take over those spots,” Coach Pete Carroll said Monday.

Quarterback John David Booty, a fourth-year junior, finally will get the opportunity he sought when he skipped his senior high school season and enrolled at USC in the fall of 2003 with hopes of beating out an unproven Matt Leinart and others for the starting job.

Leinart went on to win the 2004 Heisman and finished his career with a 37-2 record.

Now Booty must hold off a challenge from redshirt freshman Mark Sanchez.

“I’m going into this with the attitude that it’s my time,” said Booty, who has completed 34 of 56 passes for 417 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. “I’ve been patient, I’ve waited and I did everything I’ve been asked to do.

“Now it’s my chance to go after it.”

Carroll said Booty would take the majority of first-team repetitions as he did last spring when Leinart was recovering from elbow surgery. Sanchez also will take first-team reps, but experience favors Booty.

“He has the advantage because he’s been through so much stuff,” Carroll said. “He’s had 2 1/2 years to get ready for this.

“He’s much further along than when Matt took over. One of the things that’s really clear about the quarterback job is that guys can’t show what they can do until they’re ‘the guy.’ ”

Senior Hershel Dennis, who redshirted last season while recovering from knee surgery, will be the lone experienced tailback this spring. Heisman winner Reggie Bush and career-touchdown leader LenDale White both declared for the draft after their junior seasons.

Sophomore Michael Coleman and junior Desmond Reed will not participate because they are recovering from hip and knee surgeries, respectively. Senior Chauncey Washington, academically ineligible the last two seasons, will concentrate on academic issues with hopes of becoming eligible in the fall.

Dennis’ situation is similar to 2003 when he filled the spring void left by the departures of Justin Fargas, Saladin McCullough and Malaefou MacKenzie as USC awaited the arrival of Bush, White and Washington.

To lighten Dennis’ load, Carroll said junior receiver Whitney Lewis would work at tailback.

“I feel like this is an opportunity,” Lewis said. “I really feel comfortable and want to show the coaches what I can do.”

Sophomore Jeff Byers will replace Taitusi Lutui at left guard and sophomore Chilo Rachal will replace Fred Matua at right guard. Senior Kyle Williams will get first shot at replacing Winston Justice at right tackle.

Several defensive players who are expected to start or play regularly in the fall will not fully participate in spring drills because they are recovering from injuries or surgeries, including linebackers Dallas Sartz (shoulder) and Brian Cushing (shoulder), cornerback Terrell Thomas (knee) and safeties Kevin Ellison (knee) and Will Harris (ankle).