University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
Leave No Doubt
September 01, 2018 | Football, Features
by Katie Ryan, USC Assistant Sports Information Director
The phrase "Leave no doubt" is this year's theme for the USC football team. It's seen on team issued gear and voiced repeatedly throughout the halls of the John McKay Center. Senior tailback Aca'Cedric Ware has made this phrase his personal mission statement in preparation for what lies ahead.
"He's in the best shape of his life," said USC head coach Clay Helton. "He came into camp at 215 pounds. He's not only the heaviest he's been, but he's also the most explosive that he's been. He's been really impressive throughout camp and he's breaking through runs. He's able to fight off those safeties that are going after his legs. He's making them pay."
Throughout the offseason, Ware has pushed himself harder than ever as he chases what he hopes to be an unforgettable senior campaign.
"I took a different approach this summer because I knew it was my last season," he said. "It's all or nothing. I have to go get what I want. I can't have any excuses."
Ware, a highly recruited running back from DeSoto, Texas, is ready for his turn to be the leading man. He has rushed for 680 yards (averaging 4.9 yards per carry) with four touchdowns throughout his career, but he has stood behind 2018 second-round draft pick Ronald Jones II the last three years.
He has three career 100-yard rushing games, including 122 yards last year against Arizona as well as back-to-back efforts against the Wildcats (103) and California (career-best 130) in 2016.
With Jones now playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ware is ready for the spotlight. Playing high school football in the state of Texas prepared him for the bright lights of the Coliseum.
"There's nothing bigger than Texas high school football," said Ware. "It's crazy. There are banners all over the freeway and stores would shut down for the games. It's exciting knowing all the people in your town support you."
Clear eyes, full hearts, right? The depictions of Texas high school football in the movies and TV shows appear to actually do it justice.
"At my high school state championship game, which was held at Cowboys Stadium, there were 50,000 people," Ware said. "Performing in front of a crowd like that really got me ready me for the collegiate level."
After winning both State 5A-II and State 6A-II championships and receiving offers from schools like Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC, Ware had to decide where football would take him next.
"My dad (who is also named Aca'Cedric) and I sat down and talked about life after football," he said. "God forbid I got hurt or football didn't work out, I wanted to go a school where I could develop a career. It's important to have a back up plan. L.A. is a big market for so many different industries, especially with the connections from the Trojan Family. That's what my decision came down to: what I'm going to do after football is over."
Ware recognized that attending USC would prepare him both athletically and academically for a bright future.
"Football is not going to last forever, no matter how much I want it to," he said. "I have to have that backup plan so I can provide for my family."
His hard work paid off. By the end of the season, Ware's jersey will have the coveted "Graduate" patch as one of USC's seniors who have graduated while still playing. This semester, he will receive his bachelor's degree in psychology, and he plans to attend graduate school to earn a master's degree in business.
Since becoming a Trojan, Ware continues to demonstrate a high level of maturity and leadership.
"When it comes to leadership, I lead by example," said Ware. "I do the right things, and you will never see me in trouble. I'm in the weight room working hard and practicing hard. In the running back room, they see how I work and how I carry myself. The young guys see the things I do and it influences them."
Explosive, powerful and dynamic are a few of the words that come to mind when describing the running back position. Ware exemplifies all of these.
"I've been playing running back since I was four years old," he said. "It's the only position I've ever played. I believe you have to be a special person to play this position. Not everyone can run and cut and do the things necessary to succeed. I also love the mental aspect of it; it really tests you. You have to be intelligent."
When Ware leaves the enclosed gates of Howard Jones Field, he loves spending time with his pit bull named Champ, hiking, fishing, riding horses and exploring Los Angeles. He also enjoys being an active member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
"I believe being in a fraternity and being a student-athlete makes you a wellrounded person," said Ware. "It teaches you a lot about yourself and provides you with so many new experiences."
Ware, the self-proclaimed best dancer on the team, and his four other teammates who are Kappa brothers are famous in the locker room for performing their fraternity's signature dance called "The Shimmy."
"I'm definitely the best dancer on the team," he said with a laugh. "I have some competition from (receiver) Tyler Vaughns, but they all know they can challenge me. I will never turn down a dance challenge."
Every freshman football player who comes to USC was a highly recruited star in high school. However, once they arrive on campus, the level of competition can sometimes surprise them.
"I was always the leading guy in high school; I was always the starter," he said. "Coming to USC, being the third back and barely playing really hit me hard. There was a point when I was starting to doubt myself and my confidence went out the window. I talked to my dad and he told me, 'This isn't you. You know how good you are.'"
Ware's constant support from his family has been the driving force behind his perseverance. This is his time show the Trojan Nation that his countless hours of training, practice and film study has paid off.
"Everyone at this level is talented, and the person who works the hardest is the person that is going to get blessed the most," he said. "This experience has humbled me but also motivated me."
The entire Trojan football team has worked extremely hard throughout the offseason. Ware and his senior teammates have high expectations for the 2018 season.
"We have a chip on our shoulder since that loss in the Cotton Bowl game," he said. "This has been the most competitive camp that I've been a part of since I've been here. I can tell the team is ready, and we have something to prove. Our mindset for this camp was that we were going to be physical. We're going to play fast and hard and make our opponents feel that they are playing USC."
Like a running back waiting for the play to develop, Ware's patience has led him to this moment. The lane has finally opened up and he plans to sprint through and showcase all the extraordinary talent he has to offer.
"Coach says, 'You have to get those dirty four and five yards but eventually, that thing is going to bust.' When it opens up, it just looks so beautiful and then you're gone."
