USC Trojans: Chad Morton
AP Photo/Chris PizzelloThought to be a throw-in when he was recruited, Chad Morton made a big impact at USC, most notably calling his shot against UCLA in 1999 to break an eight-game losing streak to the Bruins.WeAreSC staffers discuss the biggest surprise performances through the years by USC tailbacks -- either for a season, a career, or a single game -- that were somewhat unexpected.
Garry Paskwietz
Steve Webster -- In his first three years at USC, Webster only appeared in one game due to a series of injuries and things didn’t look much brighter in 1987 with a pair of highly decorated prep All-American tailbacks on the roster in Ryan Knight and Aaron Emanuel. During spring ball, however, the speedy Webster won the job and ended up being a 1,000-yard rusher for a team that won the Pac-10 title and played in the Rose Bowl. Of course, history caught up to Webster, as he was forced to miss the bowl game due to injury.
Chad Morton -- There were plenty of critics who pointed out the reasons why Morton wouldn’t be a tailback at USC. He was too short. He was a corner. He was only on the team because of his brother (former All-American WR Johnnie Morton). He heard all the reasons why he shouldn’t succeed and then he simply went out and did it. A two-year starter, he rushed for over 1,000 yards as a senior and is currently No. 11 on the all-time USC career rushing list. In his final home game in the Coliseum -- a victory over UCLA in 1999 which snapped an eight game losing streak to the Bruins -- Morton was carried off the field by teammates and fans.
ABOUT WE ARE SC
Garry Paskwietz
Garry Paskwietz is the publisher and founder of WeAreSC.com and has covered the Trojans since 1997. Send him an email at garry@wearesc.com.
Blair Angulo
Blair Angulo covers USC Trojans recruiting. He joined ESPNLA.com in 2010 and also interned at the Los Angeles Daily News. Email him at blair.angulo@gmail.com.
Johnny Curren
Johnny Curren covers USC Trojans football and recruiting. He joined WeAreSC in 2012 after spending the previous two years at ESPNHS, and the nine years before that at Fox Sports West covering high school sports in the Los Angeles market. Email him at johnnycurren@hotmail.com.