University Southern California Trojans
A Look At USC's Kori Dickerson
October 08, 2000 | Football
Oct. 8, 2000
Kori Dickerson
Outside Linebacker
6-4, 230, Junior
Los Angeles, Calif. (Washington)
Imagine being blessed with such incredible athletic ability that at 6-4 and 230 pounds, you were able to leap over a bar set nearly seven feet above the ground.
USC outside linebacker Kori Dickerson doesn't have to imagine. The junior from Los Angeles has been a phenomenal athlete--running, jumping and even flipping--for as long as he can remember.
"When I was younger, I was in the Boys Club of America," said Dickerson, who has started all five games at strongside linebacker for USC in 2000. "It cost five dollars to play a sport. I ran track and played baseball, football and basketball."
Dickerson even got in some work doing gymnastics. Well, sort of.
"We called it 'flipping'," said Dickerson. "We did backflips on the mats. I used to flip off walls and trash cans. I also liked to dive into the pool off the high dive. I could do one-and-a-halfs and backflips from that height."
Dickerson's versatility has helped him make the transition this season to linebacker after spending his first three seasons at USC as a defensive end. So far in 2000, he has 13 tackles, including a career-high six last Saturday against Arizona.
"It hasn't really been a big transition technique-wise," Dickerson said. "It's mostly been mental. The biggest difference has been in going from a three-point stance to a two-point stance. It definitely has its advantages, though. It gives me more chances to run to the ball and get in on plays."
It's been quite a change from his days at defensive end, when he was mostly called upon to rush the passer.
"Playing defensive end, you have to stop the run and also pass rush," said Dickerson. "Linebacker is three dimensional in that you have to do those things, plus drop back into pass coverage. That's been my biggest adjustment so far."
Dickerson credits his track background for giving him the ability to compete in football. But he also knows that football can be about emotion.
"Participating in track helps you work on your competitive edge," said Dickerson. "I strive on competition and track is the ultimate form of competition. But football is all about heart. When I was being recruited, someone asked me, 'How big is your valentine (heart)?' If you love playing a sport, you have to give it your all. I try to do that in football."
But neither track nor football could prepare Dickerson for his most important position of all: being a father. With two girls to look after--Ajia, age four, and Angel, age one--Dickerson is playing for more than himself or his team.
"It (being a father) is an ongoing process," said Dickerson. "You learn things about your kids every day. Being a father definitely has its rewards. I know that everything I do is for them. I want to be successful for them."
Even on days when he is beat up or tired from football, Dickerson knows he has to find the time to meet his responsibilities.
"The biggest thing is the time issue," said Dickerson. "I'm at school and football practice a lot. But it's just like having a job in the real world. When you get home, you can't just sit around. I always have energy for them. Sometimes I want to relax, but you can't just say you're tired. You have to make time. Parents have so much effect on their kids and I just want to be the best dad I can be."
Proof that he's a good dad: one of his daughters has already turned into a budding Trojan fan.
"When Ajia was two, she learned to sing the fight song," said Dickerson. "She'd sing it at home after seeing me on television."
If Dickerson doesn't spend his future playing football on Sundays, he'll most likely involve himself in the realm of global politics.
"I'm very interested in politics and global affairs," said Dickerson, who is an international relations major. "I try to follow world affairs as much as I can to keep up with what's going on. It concerns me because our country controls the destiny of so many other countries."
Meanwhile, Dickerson will continue to strive to help the Trojan defense control its destiny.
Just don't expect him to do any backflips anytime soon.
