University Southern California Trojans
Vandermade Adds To Lineman Tradition
October 27, 2000 | Football
Oct. 27, 2000
LOS ANGELES - There is a pipeline that runs from Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif., to the practice fields of USC in Los Angeles.
About a dozen talented football players have come through that pipeline to Troy. For instance, former USC fullback and current running backs coach Kennedy Pola was one of them, as was 1999 All-Pac-10 safety David Gibson.
The latest Mater Dei alum to make an impact at USC is redshirt freshman offensive lineman Lenny Vandermade.
"I have no idea why there is a Mater Dei connection with USC," said Vandermade, who has started five games at left guard and two games at center this season. "I think it is just a trend. I don't know who started it, but every time USC comes to recruit at Mater Dei, there is already a Mater Dei guy on the team and he just lets you know how it is."
Vandermade's reason for coming to USC can pretty much be summed up in one word: tradition.
"I did want to stay close to home, so it was either USC or the other school across town," Vandermade said. "I looked at various things. It just seemed like this was the place to be, with all its tradition. Mater Dei was pretty much built on tradition so I wanted to come here and help restore USC's tradition."
Vandermade certainly has the credentials to do his part. He was a prep All-American left tackle as a 1998 senior at Mater Dei. He did not allow a sack all season as the Monarchs went 13-1, won the CIF Division I championship and were ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today. Vandermade was a three-year starter and Mater Dei went 40-2 during that span. But for all his experience at a big-time high school program, nothing could prepare him for his first start as a Trojan in this year's Kickoff Classic against Penn State.
"I was just drawing blanks," said Vandermade, who was starting at left guard for an injured Trevor Roberts. "I didn't know what was going on. I remember not being able to catch my breath and that things were just flying around. But once I got settled in, then it was just football. I just played the game and it was just another game."
Vandermade has experience at three positions: tackle, guard and center. He played tackle in high school, but has concentrated on guard and center at USC. He much prefers working on the inside of the line.
"When you are playing tackle, you are on an island most of the time," said Vandermade. "You are more by yourself. But when you are playing the three inside positions, you usually have some other guys helping you."
After starting the Trojans' first five games at left guard, Vandermade has started the last two at center due to an ankle injury to regular starter Eric Denmon. If Vandermade had his way, he'd stay there.
"I prefer playing center," said Vandermade. "I see myself playing center in the future. I was a little rusty coming back from playing left guard because the technique is different. I just had to get back to my center technique. Once I got back to it, I started feeling comfortable again."
Vandermade made such a quick impression on the coaches upon his arrival at USC that he almost got into a few games as a true freshman in 1999. But it never came to be and Vandermade is glad he got the chance to redshirt.
"I'm very happy that I had the redshirt year," said Vandermade. "You always want to play, but I needed to get stronger and learn the offense better. I knew the offense, but I didn't have a feel for it. Now, I have a feel for it and I know what everyone is doing."
The extra year also helped him to adjust to the strength and speed of the college game.
"College players are a whole lot faster and everyone is bigger, too," said Vandermade. "Technique becomes that much more important. I consider myself more of a technician, but you also have to have a little bit of attitude out there."
Vandermade looks to USC's lineman tradition to keep him motivated and help shape his game.
"I try to get bits and pieces from as many of them as I can," said Vandermade. "There are the prototypes like Tony Boselli and Travis Claridge that were here, so I try to learn from them. But mostly, I try to be my own player."
