University Southern California Trojans
Captains of the Boat
August 23, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
"It's an honor."
"It's an honor."
"It's an honor."
"It's an honor."
Those were the words uttered by each of USC's recently-announced team captains for the 2018 football season.
Senior linebackers Cameron Smith and Porter Gustin, plus senior safety Marvell Tell III and senior center Toa Lobendahn were selected by their peers to serve as captains this year.
"Those four are representative of what we are on a day-to-day basis," said USC head coach Clay Helton. "I think of how consistent they are on and off the field of representing the Trojan Family."
Smith (pictured) has 273 career tackles and has led the Trojans in stops the past two seasons. After a jaw-dropping 3 INT game against Utah his freshman year, Smith has been the rock of USC's defense. Though he's devoted his last three years to becoming the so-called "quarterback of the defense," Smith has also pursued his interests off the field, notably taking an internship at a winery in central California.
The three-year starter is now a two-time captain — the first non-QB to hold that honor since Hayes Pullard in 2013 and 2014. Smith is ready to build upon his experience last year to become the best captain he can be.
"Something that I lacked last year is the confidence to be more of a mentor," Smith said. "I see a lot of guys such as [Palaie Gaoteote IV] and [Solomon Tuliaupupu] and Kana'i [Mauga] and some of these young linebackers, even pushing it to the D Line and the DBs, and I want to give my wisdom and not be afraid to speak up and give advice about what to expect."
Over the last year, Smith's fellow linebacker Gustin has made a habit of mentoring younger players in the weight room and on the field.
Gustin missed most of the 2017 season with toe and biceps injuries and is recovering from a meniscus tear, but his dedication to rehab has impressed his coaches and teammates. Despite being sidelined, Gustin has gone above and beyond to help the team in any way he can.
"The knowledge he can provide right now to young people with what he's been through on the field is very valuable," Helton said. "He's that type of guy — if he can' t be on the field, he's coaching somebody to be on the field."
The Thor-meets-Mountain Man character carries 109 career tackles into his senior season, including 23 for loss (with 14 sacks).
Tell is the third defensive captain this season, indicating how much experience is returning on that side of the ball. The safety is a two-year starter with 164 career stops, including 85 last season when he picked off 3 passes. Tell has certainly earned his stripes, racking up more defensive snaps than any other safety in the Pac-12 in 2017.
Lobendahn is the only offensive captain for the Trojans this year. He's battle-tested, having made 18 starts at left tackle, eight at left guard, five at right guard and three at center. Lobedahn has fought through multiple season-ending injuries during his career, making his captainship all the more special.
"Honestly, it's emotional," he said. I've been here all these years and being able to be a captain is a huge honor. I love all my boys."
Though Lobendahn (pictured below) is proud to wear the C on his chest, he also wants to empower every player on the team to be a leader in his own right.
"We worked this summer in the offseason on everybody being a leader at some level," he said. "Everybody's got to help each other and build each other up."
"It's an honor."
"It's an honor."
"It's an honor."
Those were the words uttered by each of USC's recently-announced team captains for the 2018 football season.
Senior linebackers Cameron Smith and Porter Gustin, plus senior safety Marvell Tell III and senior center Toa Lobendahn were selected by their peers to serve as captains this year.
"Those four are representative of what we are on a day-to-day basis," said USC head coach Clay Helton. "I think of how consistent they are on and off the field of representing the Trojan Family."
Smith (pictured) has 273 career tackles and has led the Trojans in stops the past two seasons. After a jaw-dropping 3 INT game against Utah his freshman year, Smith has been the rock of USC's defense. Though he's devoted his last three years to becoming the so-called "quarterback of the defense," Smith has also pursued his interests off the field, notably taking an internship at a winery in central California.The three-year starter is now a two-time captain — the first non-QB to hold that honor since Hayes Pullard in 2013 and 2014. Smith is ready to build upon his experience last year to become the best captain he can be.
"Something that I lacked last year is the confidence to be more of a mentor," Smith said. "I see a lot of guys such as [Palaie Gaoteote IV] and [Solomon Tuliaupupu] and Kana'i [Mauga] and some of these young linebackers, even pushing it to the D Line and the DBs, and I want to give my wisdom and not be afraid to speak up and give advice about what to expect."
Over the last year, Smith's fellow linebacker Gustin has made a habit of mentoring younger players in the weight room and on the field.
Gustin missed most of the 2017 season with toe and biceps injuries and is recovering from a meniscus tear, but his dedication to rehab has impressed his coaches and teammates. Despite being sidelined, Gustin has gone above and beyond to help the team in any way he can.
"The knowledge he can provide right now to young people with what he's been through on the field is very valuable," Helton said. "He's that type of guy — if he can' t be on the field, he's coaching somebody to be on the field."
The Thor-meets-Mountain Man character carries 109 career tackles into his senior season, including 23 for loss (with 14 sacks).
Tell is the third defensive captain this season, indicating how much experience is returning on that side of the ball. The safety is a two-year starter with 164 career stops, including 85 last season when he picked off 3 passes. Tell has certainly earned his stripes, racking up more defensive snaps than any other safety in the Pac-12 in 2017.
Lobendahn is the only offensive captain for the Trojans this year. He's battle-tested, having made 18 starts at left tackle, eight at left guard, five at right guard and three at center. Lobedahn has fought through multiple season-ending injuries during his career, making his captainship all the more special.
"Honestly, it's emotional," he said. I've been here all these years and being able to be a captain is a huge honor. I love all my boys."
Though Lobendahn (pictured below) is proud to wear the C on his chest, he also wants to empower every player on the team to be a leader in his own right.
"We worked this summer in the offseason on everybody being a leader at some level," he said. "Everybody's got to help each other and build each other up."
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