Advertisement

USC’s JuJu Smith changes last name to Smith-Schuster

USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster runs a route on the first day of training camp Aug. 8.

USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster runs a route on the first day of training camp Aug. 8.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Share

Just call him JuJu.

USC’s JuJu Smith has legally changed his last name to Smith-Schuster in honor of his stepfather.

Smith-Schuster spoke with excitement on Sunday about the hyphenated name and said he practiced his signature before the change became legal.

However, Smith-Schuster isn’t sure how his new name will echo across the Coliseum on game day.

Advertisement

“I don’t know how it’s going to sound when the commentator says, ‘JuJu Smith-Schuster on the catch’,” Smith-Schuster said, in his best announcer voice.

“Hopefully they can just call me JuJu.”

Los Angeles Times reporter Gary Klein wrote about the player’s decision to change his name last November as he approached his 18th birthday.

Smith-Schuster caught 54 passes, including five touchdowns, during the 2014 season.

USC opens against Arkansas State on Sept. 5.

Questions or comments about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.

Advertisement