University Southern California Trojans
Looking Good As A Freshman
October 30, 2000 | Football
Oct. 30, 2000
by Erin Szymanski, Sports Information Student Assistant
Sophomore wide receiver Kareem Kelly's outstanding freshman year in 1999 did more than earn him Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors. His breakout season also inspired another young wide receiver to come to USC and strive to give Trojan fans a repeat performance.
As a senior at Hueneme High in Oxnard, Calif., Keary Colbert watched as Kelly caught pass after pass and scored touchdown after touchdown last season. He figured that if he came to USC, he might just be able to do the same.
"One of my reasons for coming here was watching Kareem have so much success as a freshman," said Colbert. "I figured that I could have the same success."
The 6-1, 185-pound wide receiver has gotten off to a great start so far in 2000. He has played in every game this year and has 19 catches while averaging 15.4 yards per catch (best among the wide receivers). With a career high 6 grabs for 113 yards against Arizona, Colbert joined Kelly and former Trojan R. Jay Soward as USC's only true freshmen wide receivers to gain 100-plus receiving yards in a single game.
Not bad company to keep, yet this optimistic freshman has set his goals even higher.
"My goal is to get Pac-10 Freshman of the Year just like Kareem did," Colbert said. "We always talk about who is going to have the better stats as a freshman and I am shooting to try and pass him up. That is my goal."
Despite this friendly competition, Colbert and his fellow wide receivers have a great relationship and always encourage each other to perform.
"We work together," he said. "Nobody talks about who is starting or who is playing more. It is a good group. I know from talking to my friends that a lot of other schools have trouble with people and positions, but the receivers here have a good relationship."
Colbert's dedication to his teammates dates back to middle school and high school, where he voluntarily switched from running back to wide receiver for a fellow player.
"In eighth grade I was a running back. But in high school one of my friends was also a running back, so I let him have that position and I switched to receiver," said Colbert, who doesn't regret his altruistic gesture. "I played really well at the freshman level and got moved up to varsity and the rest is history.
History shows that the former running back went on to earn prep All-American honors as a senior wide receiver at Hueneme High, where he caught 25 passes for 600 yards and had 10 touchdown receptions. As a true freshman at USC, Colbert has already started three games and ranks behind only Kelly in terms of receiving statistics for a Trojan freshman receiver.
But just like any other college freshman, Colbert has also had to adjust to the many demands of collegiate life.
"School is tough because at the end of the day I get very tired," he said. "Sometimes you need more time to study than the two hours of study hall, so when you go home you really have to concentrate and study. There's lots of quizzes, too."
Luckily for Colbert, he didn't move too far from home and his family has provided the support he needs to meet the demands that come with being a collegiate athlete.
"Being only an hour away, I can just get in my car and drive home," Colbert said. "Both of my parents have really been there for me. They are proud of me and they support me a lot."
This support is helping Colbert emerge as a key player in the offense, a fact that hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates.
"He has adjusted to the offense well," said junior fullback Charlie Landrigan. "He has gone out there and made big plays when he had to. He doesn't play like a freshman. He plays more like a sophomore or junior. He has a great attitude and he works hard."
That hard work seems to be paying off for the freshman. Perhaps when he leaves USC, his No. 83 jersey will be as famous as Keyshawn Johnson's No. 3, which is actually the number Colbert wore in high school.
"When I was in high school, I wore No. 3 because of Keyshawn Johnson,' Colbert said. "I wanted to come here and wear it, but CP (Carson Palmer) wears it. I am thinking about sticking with No. 83 now.
"I think I'm making it look pretty good."
