He’s at Forefront of Middle Management

Chris Galippo of Anaheim Servite High believes there are obligations that come with playing middle linebacker.

“You’re supposed to be the physical freak of the defense,” he said. “You’re always making sure you’re leading by example, not showing any weaknesses.”

At 6 feet 2 and 235 pounds, with the speed of a receiver, the closing power of a free safety and the physicality of a defensive lineman, Galippo might be the best 17-year-old middle linebacker in California.

He was so highly regarded last season as a junior that USC Coach Pete Carroll offered him a scholarship, which Galippo accepted one year before he was eligible to sign a letter of intent.

And Galippo’s physical ability isn’t his most impressive selling point. It’s the way he plays and studies the game that gives him an edge.

So many times, teenagers identified as young standouts start believing their reputations and fail to keep finding ways to improve. Galippo is different. He understands that if he wants to be the best, there’s never a day to rest on his past accomplishments.

“Once you think you’re at the top, there’s a million other things to learn,” he said. “You should never settle.”

Servite Coach Troy Thomas learned plenty about Galippo’s mental toughness last fall during a Southern Section Division I playoff game against Long Beach Poly.

Servite trailed, 20-7, at halftime, and Thomas decided to give Galippo a “gut test.”

“That was a special game for us,” Galippo said. “It was a game I really matured. Our backs were against the wall, and it was, ‘Let’s do it or we’re going home.’ Coach Thomas called a timeout, pulled me aside and challenged me. ‘This is it. You either step up or we’re going home.’ It’s something I took personal.”

Galippo helped Servite rally to defeat Poly, 28-20, and Thomas discovered what others are beginning to see in Galippo.

“When the going gets tough, he’s going to persevere,” Thomas said. “When I looked into his eyes, it looked like we were winning, 20-7.”

Galippo receives inspiration from studying the best middle linebackers in football. He watches video of Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens and Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears.

“The middle linebackers in the day were supposed to be the big heavy guys, more of the Dick Butkus guys, who’d smash you in the middle,” he said. “Now your prototype middle linebacker is chasing down receivers, chasing down sweep plays and reverses.”

Galippo gets to show everyone how much he has improved when Servite makes its season debut tonight in a challenging road game against Corona Santiago (1-0).

Santiago crushed Murrieta Valley, 35-0, last week and is the favorite to win the Mountain View League title.

Galippo will approach the game like he does everything, with total focus, not worrying about future Trinity League showdowns with Santa Ana Mater Dei and Orange Lutheran.

Galippo surprised some by making a decision last January to attend USC, but it revealed his philosophy on the recruiting process.

“It gets really overwhelming,” he said. “My timing was great to put it behind me. This is such a special year for Servite. I feel we have all the right pieces. It’s so good to be able to focus on the season instead of having a double life, my recruiting life and Servite.

“Whether it was Jan. 31 when I did commit or letter-of-intent day, it would have been USC.”

Carroll is not allowed to comment under NCAA rules until Galippo signs in February, but the way Galippo approaches the game would excite any football coach.

Talking about his future as a Trojan, Galippo said, “Once you get to USC, everyone is top 100. The thing that separates you is the little stuff, the film work, the lifting, the work ethic.”

All that and more has Galippo looking like the prototype middle linebacker for the 21st century.

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com