Q&A with Everson Griffen

SS: Now that you’ve graduated and your high school career is over, what are you going to miss most about your time at Agua Fria?

EG: I’m going to miss seeing my friends every day. I’m going to miss playing with my friends who I played all four years with. I’ll also miss playing for Coach Eppley, but I know I’m going on to bigger and better things.

SS: Back when you were a freshman, did you have any thoughts about where you wanted to play college football, or even any thoughts about playing college football at all?

EG: No, I didn’t have any thoughts about playing college football back then. I was freshman knucklehead and always getting in trouble. I had to mature and after my sophomore year, I thought I could be pretty good--and I took full advantage of my opportunities.

SS: When did you know USC was the college and football program for you? Was it during your junior or seniors year?

EG: I was telling my mom before USC was recruiting me, if USC offered me a scholarship, I was going to USC. You can even ask her yourself. When I didn’t have an offer from USC, I was telling my mom I had to get better, I had to get better. So, when USC offered me, I took that opportunity. Now I’m a Trojan and I leave for USC on June 25. But I’ve been liking USC forever.

SS: Was there anything specific about the USC football program that you liked. I mean, was it the players, coaches, the way USC plays, etc.?

EG: I like the players, the coaches and everything about USC. I like all of the coaches and there’s a family environment at USC. Everybody gets along and I love the intensity of the coaches. I mean, we can joke around and have fun, but when it’s time to get down to business, that’s what they do.

SS: It’s been a little over a year since you attended The Rising Seniors Camp. USC fans will always remember the picture of you leading the group out of the tunnel at the Coliseum. Do you remember that moment?

EG: Oh my god, I do remember that. It was like a dream come true. I had been wanting to do that my whole life. I’ve worked so hard and now look at where it’s taken me. Hard work can take you places you’ve always dreamed about. When I had the chance to run out of the tunnel, I thought I better take full advantage of it. And now, when it comes time for the games to start, I’ll be running out of that tunnel at every home game. So, I can’t wait.

SS: Heading into the Rising Seniors camp you already had an offer from USC and offers from most of the top programs in the country. Did you feel you had anything to prove at the camp?

EG: I felt I had something to prove. I wanted to show the coaches what I could do, how I could benefit the team in different ways and show them my speed, and agility. I wanted to show everybody what I could do. I went up against some big names and did pretty good. (The humble meter just crashed).

SS: You were probably one of the most hyped prospects last year. USC signed four of the top-10 prospects from the 2007 class (Everson Griffen, Joe McKnight, Marc Tyler, Chris Galippo), and you ended up with the No. 1 ranking. Was there any added pressure your senior season with all of the talk about you and the high expectations?

EG: Yeah, you have to live up to the hype, so I had to get in better shape, I had to focus better and go 100% on every play. I just worked hard and did things I had to get the job done. So, that’s what I did and it paid off for me.

SS: Have you begun preparing mentality for the adjustment to college life and football?

EG: There’s a different tempo at the college level, so you have to adjust to the speed of the game. We’ll be working much harder than we did in high school. It will take a while to get used to the conditioning, the practices and being in a different environment. It will be a completely different living style moving out on my own.

SS: You had a little taste of what practices were like at USC when you were at the Rising Seniors Camp last June. We were talking with some of the guys who were at the last three camps at USC, and they told us they had never had a workout like they did at USC.Did you have a similar experience?

EG: When we did the two-days at the Rising Seniors Camp, I was thinking, ‘Oh my god. WOW.’ My body was so sore. If you’re not prepared to go out there, the coaches are going to push you hard. The coaches have so much energy. I think they had more energy than I did. They’re always jumping around, flying across the field and they’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re mentally prepared.

SS: You’re heading to USC on Monday and we’re sure you’re ready to begin your Trojan career. What are you looking forward to most?

EG: I’m just ready to get out there and start working out with the guys. I just want to get a close relationship with the defensive linemen, start talking to them and get some one-on-one time with Coach (Nick) Holt. So, when the two-days begin in fall camp, I’ve got the plays mentally and physically down. I won’t have to worry about the playbook and stuff like that. Now I’m actually going to be a part of the team and I can help the team reach its goals. I also can’t wait to see all my friends again and be able to hang out with them every day. Guys like Chris Galippo, Jordan Campbell, Joe McKnight and all the guys on the team.

SS: Do you have any individual goals for your freshman season?

EG: I’m going to work as hard as I can and maybe I can do what Taylor Mays did, and become a freshman all-American. That’s one of the biggest honors you can get. So, hopefully I can get enough playing time to get freshman all-American honors. If I work hard on and off the field, I think I’ll contribute to the team this year and it’s going to be fun.

SS: How surprised were you when Donovan Warren committed to Michigan?

EG: I thought Donovan Warren was going to come to USC with us. When he told me he was going to Michigan, my heart broke. At the All-American Bowl, I thought he was a done deal. He was telling us he was going to USC. I guess when he went out to Michigan, Ron English sold him something that made him change his mind. But he should know Pete Carroll plays everybody. If you’re good , if you’re doing what you’ve got to do and not making mistakes, he’s going to play you. He’s not afraid to play freshmen.

SS: You had a spectacular senior season with all of your accomplishments in football and track. During the school year there probably wasn’t much free time because of school and athletics. When school ended on May 22, did you give yourself a few weeks to do some activities you normally don’t have time for?

I mostly hung out with my friends and talked to them more. I wanted to make sure they knew I’m truly a friend for them.

SS: You told us in the past that Pete Carroll made a big impression on you and your mom. Tell us your thoughts about Coach Carroll.

EG: He’s a wonderful guy. There’s not a better coach out there. He has NFL experience, he’s always happy and he’s willing to help to make everyone better. Coach Carroll is always pumped up and so is the entire caching staff. When I went to the Rising Seniors Camp and the coaches started going nuts, I asked Lawrence Jackson if they were always like. Lawrence said, ‘Man, I kid you not. The four years I’ve been here, they are like that every single day, no matter what. It’s not a front. When I got to the camp for the second day, they had the same energy and intensity. I thought, ‘Oh my god, but I loved it.’ It got me pumped up.

SS: Are there any television shows you watch on a regular basis?

EG: There aren’t many shows I watch, but when American Idol was on, I watched that with my mom and my step dad. I just got done watching, “So you think you can dance.” I watch shows where there’s competition involved.