Posted on Sat, Aug. 28, 2004
Freshman Jarrett to play bigger role than expected for USC
By DICK WEISS
New York Daily News
LANDOVER, Md. - Dwayne Jarrett was supposed to wait his turn before stepping into a starring role with the University of Southern California's high-powered football program. But Pete Carroll will be forced to take off the cellophane wrapping a little earlier than expected Saturday night when the top-ranked Trojans play Virginia Tech in the Black Coaches' Association Classic at FedEx Field.
The slender 6-5, 195 pound, 17-year-old freshman wide receiver from New Brunswick (N.J.) High - who had a jaw-dropping preseason camp and is one of the gemstones of USC's top rated recruiting class - will move into a more crucial role now the NCAA has denied Mike Williams' petition for reinstatement.
Williams had a chance to be the next Heisman Trophy winner. Jarrett - who scored 26 touchdowns, including five on punt returns, that averaged 48.8 yards his senior season and who was selected New Jersey's Offensive Player of the Year - has a chance to create a similar impact as a deep threat.
"I knew we were getting a tremendous all-around athlete and a tremendous basketball player as well as a football player, and I think that's really key when you're trying to find a real special receiver," Carroll said. "Mike Williams was that same makeup. So our expectations were, how close is he to that kind of player? Dwayne has had a fantastic camp. He's going to play in this game and be a factor."
When USC decided to capitalize on its success and extend its recruiting tentacles to the East Coast last November, Carroll dispatched assistant Lane Kiffin to check out Jarrett.
When Kiffin arrived, the weather was dreadful. It had rained all day and the field was a muddy quagmire, which made it difficult to judge Jarrett's speed. But that did not stop Jarrett from racing through the muck for three first-half touchdowns against Metuchen that night and rising into the mist to make a lefthanded catch on a pass that was two feet over his head.
Kiffin was salivating when he got on the phone to the office. Jarrett put a punctuation mark on a brilliant high school career when he led New Brunswick to a perfect 12-0 record and the Group II state championship, scoring three touchdowns - including a game-winning 85-yard score off a reverse - as his team defeated Long Branch, 21-14, in the final.
Jarrett was romanced by USC, Ohio State, Virginia, Iowa and Rutgers, but signed with the Trojans because he liked the idea of playing for the national championship every year and he fell in love with USC's storied tradition at his position.
"I grew up rooting for Keyshawn Johnson when he played for the Jets and I'd always had enormous respect for Mike Williams," he said. "When I went to USC for my official visit, I didn't know if I wanted to go that far away from home. But Mike Williams - who is from Tampa - was my escort on my personal visit and it became less of an issue by the time I left. I fell in love with the weather and the way offensive coordinator Norm Chow utilizes his wide receivers."
Jarrett, who left for the West Coast three days after graduating from high school, got to work out with Williams on USC's Jones Field for two months while taking summer courses. He has been a quick study, catching five passes for 80 yards in the team's final scrimmage and moving up to the third receiver spot.
"Dwayne might not be the spitting image of Mike," USC quarterback Matt Leinart said. "Mike was a little more physical coming in, but with Dwayne's height and the athleticism, it's easy to see why there are comparisons. Dwayne might actually be more athletic. He played basketball and can jump. Just the way he makes plays, gets the ball and creates mismatches. He's a stud."
