USC got a LB

[Butkus51]

Hooray, USC got a solid LB transfer from Georgetown today, name Gian Carlo Rufu.  Grad transfer, only one year eligibility.  Rufu, 6-2, 232 lbs is from Hawaii, Punahou HS, State D Player of Year.  I think he will be the starter at MLB in 2026.  Finally got a good LB via TP…  Cheers

https://guhoyas.com/sports/football/roster/giancarlo-rufo/17321

[Daystalker]

My does Georgetown have a football team?  I just remember them for those long shorts down to their ankles in basketball.  Good find.

[Butkus51]

Bruddah Daystalker, yeah it’s a big ? mark due to GT playing in a small league and conference.  But, many good FB players come from small leagues and lower D-1 schools from da FBS and FCS divisions.  GC Rufo was a star LB at GT and when he played at Punahou HS, Hawaii.  Many times these good FB players just slip thru the cracks in recruiting.

Only found his HS HL tape; he looks like a top LB.  After seeing his HL tape, I believe we scored on a starting MLB.  USC needed LB’s…   Cheers

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13345402/6316c1475caa590570ccb043

• This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by Butkus51.

[Java]

No way.  There is no chance this guy is the starter.  Unless usc has major injuries. I hope im wrong.  Feel free to save my post

[Butkus51]

Here’s the LB room.

Returning LB.  Ta Mere Robinson, Desman Stephens, Elijah Newby, Jayden Walker

TP LB.  Deven Bryant, Gian Carlo Rufo.

True Freshman.  Talanoa Ili, Shaun Scott, Tyler Johnson

MLB.  Rufo has the most experience and was All League.  I’m predicting Rufo beats out Newby and Stephens.  There is no way the true freshmen LB’s are starting.  Maybe Ili and Scott will see some playing time, but only as in mop up situations.

WLB.  I think Bryant beats out, Robinson, Walker.

[Java]

Well, they only play two linebackers. This is not the Larry Smith days where they played 4

 

i’m betting newby and Stephens both play above him.

 

and I am betting Walker and Bryant play that position and split it and one of them gets hurt and lost for the season

 

 

 

[Butkus51]

Java = Well, they only play two linebackers. This is not the Larry Smith days where they played 4

Did not quiet understand your sentence?   Were you implying, I was thinking 3 LB’s in a 4-3-4 D formation?  Come on now. Of course it’s 2 LB’s in da 4-2-5 D.  But, when a team get inside the 10 yd RZ and da OC put in 2-3 TE’s (showing a strong run formation), the DC will counter with 3 LB’s replacing the nickle.

And, in the entire game, I’m sure DC Patterson will play 4 LB’s with a good rotation & depending certain O situations.

I thought, the LB group stunk last year (played pretty bad).  If C.LR and GM Bowden felt good about the returning group, they would not have brought in 2 experienced and good LB’s from the TP.  Nah, they must feel the returning LB’s are ?able.  Our 2 new LB’s from the TP, Rufo and Bryant are bringing in Xlent experience + very good D production.  We will soon find out who will be our primary LB’s for 2026…  Cheers

• This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by Butkus51.

[RWC]

Is he as good as Greg Slough? You know who I’m talking about Butkus, but most of the Trojans on the board probably won’t remember him.

[Butkus51]

Bruddah RWC, Greg Slough, 6-3 230 lbs was a very good LB for USC back in 1969 and 1970.  I think he made All PAC 8?  USC had a very good team 1969.  Shoot he was a big LB, very athletic.  He came out of the San Diego area (1962-65) where he was All Area as a RB and LB.  After HS, 1966 entered JC in San Diego, 1967-68 year went into the army (Vietnam war).

C. McKay remembered him as a star HS FB player from San Diego, and gave him a scholarship 1969.  He was one of C. McKay favorite players because of his hard, and tuff playing style.  I hope dis Hawaiian kid Rufo comes close to Greg Slough as a player…  Cheers

[Butkus51]

RWC, different D position, DL.  I recall reading former USC DL, Tim Ryan (I think it was TR?) saying Tuli Tuipulotu is good, but not up there with former USC greats.  Something like that.  Anyway, when I read that statement, I was in complete disagreement.  Heck, Tuli is among USC’s top 12 all time great DL.

Yeah, sometimes former players have a strong bias for players of their generation.  But, Tuli could have played in any generation and would have won All Star awards, All PAC and AA honors like he did when he played.

[Author]

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