The 2002 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...

 in the 2002-2003 NCAA Division I-A college football season

2002 NCAA Division I-A football season

The 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season ended the season with what most consider an exciting double overtime national championship game. Ohio State and Miami both came into the Fiesta Bowl undefeated. The underdog Buckeyes defeated the Hurricanes 31–24, ending Miami's 34 game winning...

.

USC ended the regular season ranked #5 in both the AP Poll

AP Poll

The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...

 and the Coaches' Poll. Trojans quarterback Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...

 won the 2002 Heisman Trophy

Heisman Trophy

The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...

 as the best college football player in America. During the bowl games, USC had a convincing 38–17 win over #3 Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes football

The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...

 in the Orange Bowl

2003 Orange Bowl

The 2003 FedEx Orange Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the USC Trojans on January 2, 2003, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. USC won the game, 38–17...

. USC became #4 in the final AP Poll and Coaches' Poll.

Recruiting

USC was ranked highly (#12 by Scout, #13 by Rivals) for getting Darnell Bing

Darnell Bing

Darnell Bing is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...

, Manuel Wright

Manuel Wright

Manuel "Manny" Wright is an Arena football Offensive lineman / Defensive lineman for the Stockton Lightning of af2. He was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2005 supplemental draft. He played college football at USC.Wright has also briefly been signed to the...

, Winston Justice

Winston Justice

Winston Frederick Justice is an American football offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...

, Fred Matua

Fred Matua

Fred Matua is an American football guard that is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft...

, Tom Malone

Tom Malone (American football)

Thomas Malone is an American football punter for the Sacramento Mountain Lions. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2006...

, Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell is a wide receiver who was formerly with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.-Professional career:Previously, he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars organization....

, Hershel Dennis

Hershel Dennis

Hershel Dennis Jr. is a running back for the Sioux Falls Storm in the Indoor Football League . Dennis played college football running back as a student athlete at the University of Southern California...

, Kyle Williams

Kyle Williams (offensive tackle)

Kyle A. Williams is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Southern California....

, Dominique Byrd

Dominique Byrd

Dominique Montiel Byrd is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft...

, Dallas Sartz

Dallas Sartz

Dallas Sartz is a former American football linebacker who is currently an assistant coach for the UC Davis football team. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...

, Justin Wyatt

Justin Wyatt

Justin Wyatt is an American football cornerback who was expected to be drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft but went undrafted.-Professional career:The National Football League Arizona Cardinals picked him up as a free agent....

, Chris McFoy

Chris McFoy

Chris McFoy is an American football wide receiver who played for the Oakland Raiders. He is now a free agent.-Pro career:...

, Mike Williams, LaJuan Ramsey

LaJuan Ramsey

LaJuan Ramsey is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California....

, Oscar Lua

Oscar Lua

Oscar Lua is former American football linebacker. He was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early years:...

 and Brandon Hancock

Brandon Hancock

Brandon Hancock is a sports journalist and former American football player at the position of fullback, who played for the University of Southern California Trojans football team...

 among others.

Schedule

The Trojans finished the season with a 11–2 record, 7–1 in the Pac-10.http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/012604aaa.html

2002 Team Players in the NFL

• Marcell Allmond
  Marcell Allmond
  -Professional career:Allmond played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005. He was on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in 2004.-College career:Allmond played college football at the University of Southern California. He was a three year starter at cornerback and wide receiver.-External links:**...
  
  
• Kevin Arbet
  Kevin Arbet
  Kevin Arbet is an American football cornerback most recently playing for the Arena Football League's San Jose SaberCats. His uncle, Darren Arbet is the head coach.-Professional career:...
  
  
• Collin Ashton
  Collin Ashton
  Collin Ashton is an American football linebacker.-College Football:Ashton played college football at the University of Southern California where he graduated in 2006. He was a walk-on player who earned a scholarship...
  
  
• Darnell Bing
  Darnell Bing
  Darnell Bing is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
  
  
• William Buchanon
• Dominique Byrd
  Dominique Byrd
  Dominique Montiel Byrd is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
  
  
• Matt Cassel
  Matt Cassel
  Matthew Brennan "Matt" Cassel is a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
  
  
• Shaun Cody
  Shaun Cody
  Shaun Michael Cody is an American football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early years:Cody attended Los Altos High School in...
  
  
• Keary Colbert
  Keary Colbert
  Patrick Keary Jerel Colbert is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
  
  
• Justin Fargas
  Justin Fargas
  Justin Fargas is an American football running back who is a Free Agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
  
  
• Matt Grootegoed
  Matt Grootegoed
  Matt Grootegoed is a professional gridiron football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
  
  
• Gregg Guenther
  Gregg Guenther
  Gregg Guenther, Jr. was a National Football League tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals.-College career:...
  
  
• Alex Holmes
  Alex Holmes
  Alex Holmes was a National Football League tight end.-Professional career:Holmes played for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and signed as a free agent with the Saint Louis Rams for 2006...
  
  
• Norm Katnik
  Norm Katnik
  Norm Katnik is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
  
  
• Kareem Kelly
  Kareem Kelly
  Kareem Kelly is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
  
  
• Ryan Killeen
  Ryan Killeen
  Ryan Killeen is an american football placekicker for the National Football League Seattle Seahawks' NFL Europe affiliate Amsterdam Admirals.-Professional career:...
  
  
• David Kirtman
  David Kirtman
  David Kirtman is an American football fullback free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
  
  
• Winston Justice
  Winston Justice
  Winston Frederick Justice is an American football offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
  
  
• Jason Leach
  Jason Leach
  -College career:Leach played college football at the University of Southern California. He started in 2003 and 2004.-Professional Football Career:Leach played for the National Football League San Diego Chargers in 2005....
  
  
• Matt Leinart
  Matt Leinart
  Matthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
  
  
• Oscar Lua
  Oscar Lua
  Oscar Lua is former American football linebacker. He was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early years:...
  
  
• Malaefou MacKenzie
  Malaefou MacKenzie
  Matthew Mark Maleafou Anesi MacKenzie is an American football fullback who played in the National Football League in 2003.-career:...
  
  
• Tom Malone
  Tom Malone (American football)
  Thomas Malone is an American football punter for the Sacramento Mountain Lions. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
  
  
• Grant Mattos
• Fred Matua
  Fred Matua
  Fred Matua is an American football guard that is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
  
  
• Chris McFoy
  Chris McFoy
  Chris McFoy is an American football wide receiver who played for the Oakland Raiders. He is now a free agent.-Pro career:...
  
  
• Sultan McCullough
  Sultan McCullough
  Sultan McCullough is an American football running back in the National Football League who has also previously been a member of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League...
  
  
• Jason Mitchell
  Jason Mitchell
  Jason Mitchell is a wide receiver who was formerly with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.-Professional career:Previously, he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars organization....
  
  
• Carson Palmer
  Carson Palmer
  Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
  
  
• Mike Patterson
• Troy Polamalu
  Troy Polamalu
  Troy Aumua Polamalu is an American football strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He played college football at the University of Southern California.-High school:Troy Polamalu graduated...
  
  
• LaJuan Ramsey
  LaJuan Ramsey
  LaJuan Ramsey is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California....
  
  
• Bernard Riley
  Bernard Riley
  Bernard Riley is a former American football defensive lineman. He is currently the defensive line coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin in Martin, Tennessee.-Pro career:...
  
  
• Jacob Rogers
  Jacob Rogers
  Jacob Rogers is a retired American football offensive tackle in the National Football League who is currently working in private business in Ventura, Ca.-Early years:...
  
  
• Frostee Rucker
  Frostee Rucker
  Rucker was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was placed on the injured reserve list his rookie year in 2006.In 2007, Rucker contributed on special teams and situational opportunities on defense...
  
  
• Dallas Sartz
  Dallas Sartz
  Dallas Sartz is a former American football linebacker who is currently an assistant coach for the UC Davis football team. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
  
  
• Lofa Tatupu
  Lofa Tatupu
  -Seattle Seahawks:Tatupu quickly established himself as one of the top defensive players in the league as a rookie in 2005, in which he was named to the Pro Bowl, while leading the NFC Champion Seahawks in tackles, with 104, en route to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history...
  
  
• Kenechi Udeze
  Kenechi Udeze
  Kenechi Nduka Udeze [] is an assistant coach of University of Washington Huskies football team and a former American football defensive end of the National Football League....
  
  
• Lenny Vandermade
  Lenny Vandermade
  Lenny Vandermade is an American football coach.-High school career:Vandermade prepped at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.-College career:Vandermade played college football at the University of Southern California....
  
  
• John Walker
• Lee Webb
  Lee Webb
  Lee Webb is a free agent National Football League fullback formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars.-Coaching career:...
  
  
• Kyle Williams
  Kyle Williams (offensive tackle)
  Kyle A. Williams is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Southern California....
  
  
• Mike Williams
• Manuel Wright
  Manuel Wright
  Manuel "Manny" Wright is an Arena football Offensive lineman / Defensive lineman for the Stockton Lightning of af2. He was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2005 supplemental draft. He played college football at USC.Wright has also briefly been signed to the...
  
  
• Justin Wyatt
  Justin Wyatt
  Justin Wyatt is an American football cornerback who was expected to be drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft but went undrafted.-Professional career:The National Football League Arizona Cardinals picked him up as a free agent....
  
  

External links

• Official site