[Buckskin86]

nice espn article on Byers

no doubt that he is going to be a good one

College football's great anomaly is a true freshman starting on the O-line. But don't bet against Jeff Byers. The incoming USC freshman has a chance -- a pretty good chance -- to become the first Trojan offensive lineman to start the opener since Travis Claridge did so back in 1996.
Jeff Byers was the nation's top O-lineman recruit last spring.
In his prep career at Colorado's Loveland High School, Byers not only dominated as a center, he also made 200 tackles (51 for negative yardage), 13 sacks and forced 13 fumbles. Last week he was honored as the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year in football. (Dwight Howard, who was the first overall pick in the NBA draft -- took home the overall boys award.) Recruiting analysts touted Byers as the best center to come out of high school in two decades. "Jeff does things on a football field you're not sure were possible until you see him do it," says Loveland coach John Poovey.


And after eight weeks at USC, the rock-solid Fort Collins-native has already impressed some of his new USC teammates.


"He has the right attitude," says QB Matt Leinart. "A lot of freshmen don't know what it's really like to work hard and he's setting a good example and we need that. We need guys to step up." Especially since the Trojans only return one starter up front.


Linebacker Matt Grootegoed says from observing Byers in workouts, he wouldn't be surprised at all if the kid starts the Trojans first game. "He's already so strong and mature," says Grootegoed.


Byers admits that is his goal. Although that doesn't necessarily mean he has to start at center. USC O-line coach Tim Davis' rule is that he starts his best five linemen, meaning even if Byers doesn't overtake center Ryan Kalil, who is coming off an impressive spring, the true freshman still could get the call to open up when the Trojans meet Virginia Tech Aug. 28.


The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder (he's up almost five pounds since coming west) says he appreciates the praise and the honors he received from his prep days, but realizes those types of things mean little once the Trojans start fall camp. "Right now I've got a clean slate, meaning I'm a big nobody," he says.


Maybe so, but Trojan fans should be excited to know he is a very big and imposing nobody at least.