Toa BarNone Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 493 Likes Received: 696 Aug 21, 2018 #1 There seem to be many posters who don’t think much of him. I recall the staff gushing over him as a freshman with his football IQ. He’s a technician whose battlesd injuries and has moved around allowing USC to play the 5 best offensive lineman. Now he’s predicated as an all conference player and has been named captain. He’s no relative or friend of mine since we’ve never met but I think it’s time all Trojan fans give this young man his due. Fight on, Tao, and thank you Trojan Man 30, TheRealAirbns, CrownoftheValley and 1 other person like this.
There seem to be many posters who don’t think much of him. I recall the staff gushing over him as a freshman with his football IQ. He’s a technician whose battlesd injuries and has moved around allowing USC to play the 5 best offensive lineman. Now he’s predicated as an all conference player and has been named captain. He’s no relative or friend of mine since we’ve never met but I think it’s time all Trojan fans give this young man his due. Fight on, Tao, and thank you
TrojanFireHorse12 Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 3,884 Likes Received: 2,494 Aug 21, 2018 #3 He's been making up for his snapping issues and doesn't seem to have gotten out right beaten. It seems like the rust is off, so he should be able to live up to his upside. Hopefully.
He's been making up for his snapping issues and doesn't seem to have gotten out right beaten. It seems like the rust is off, so he should be able to live up to his upside. Hopefully.
wamarals1 Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 52 Likes Received: 41 Aug 21, 2018 #4 The coaches love him because of his football IQ and his toughness. I wish him nothing but the best this year. If he stays healthy, he will be s force in the middle. dbw021 likes this.
The coaches love him because of his football IQ and his toughness. I wish him nothing but the best this year. If he stays healthy, he will be s force in the middle.
qqqqqqqman Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 3,580 Likes Received: 4,653 Aug 21, 2018 #5 You want people to “give him his due”.....then you promptly call him “Tao” LOL! Toa is an excellent lineman.....just sidetracked by injuries and forced position changes. I think the experience and maturity will pay off this season. Looking for big leadership from him! Trojan Man 30 and nvargas like this.
You want people to “give him his due”.....then you promptly call him “Tao” LOL! Toa is an excellent lineman.....just sidetracked by injuries and forced position changes. I think the experience and maturity will pay off this season. Looking for big leadership from him!
norcalsurfer Points Member Joined: Sep 1, 2017 Messages: 4,925 Likes Received: 5,090 Aug 21, 2018 #6 Not sure if SC fans would want another Asian on the team. They still got PTSD from Brandon Ting. holt7153 likes this.
TJmaxx New Member Joined: Apr 14, 2018 Messages: 20 Likes Received: 3 Aug 21, 2018 #7 Toa single handedly destroys the Oline chemistry by always getting hurt. He is not reliable!!! He is named a starter and takes 1st team reps only to get a season injury. That leaves a reserve to play catch up and for the Oline to start over and gel. Toa should bea sub!!!
Toa single handedly destroys the Oline chemistry by always getting hurt. He is not reliable!!! He is named a starter and takes 1st team reps only to get a season injury. That leaves a reserve to play catch up and for the Oline to start over and gel. Toa should bea sub!!!
Jay4usc Points Member Joined: Jan 10, 2018 Messages: 3,164 Likes Received: 3,343 Aug 21, 2018 #8 I’m not a big fan of the ting brothers but you have to blame the entire defense and give credit to Vince Young. He tore up the entire defense. norcalsurfer likes this.
I’m not a big fan of the ting brothers but you have to blame the entire defense and give credit to Vince Young. He tore up the entire defense.
OxyTrojan Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 237 Likes Received: 204 Aug 21, 2018 #9 I’m sure everyone will give him his due once he earns it by dominating all season
big_pete Points Member Joined: Nov 19, 2017 Messages: 570 Likes Received: 646 Aug 21, 2018 #10 Love Toa. He has been a class act the whole way and a player who has always exemplified fight on. I hope he has a huge year and that he stays involved with the program after he's gone. Last edited: Aug 21, 2018 Rainman44 and Islander 4 USC like this.
Love Toa. He has been a class act the whole way and a player who has always exemplified fight on. I hope he has a huge year and that he stays involved with the program after he's gone.
TrojanFireHorse12 Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 3,884 Likes Received: 2,494 Aug 21, 2018 #11 what? is this your brain droppings?
SoCalN8tiv Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 14,401 Likes Received: 16,969 Aug 22, 2018 #12 Say what? Toa started 13 of 14 games in 2017 and all 13 games his freshman year. To say he's always hurt and destabilizes the O-line is inaccurate. He had the one season ending knee injury against Bama and I believe a staph infection last season where he missed a game. Other than that he's been contributing and relatively healthy. I wouldn't say he's been dominating by any means but he's been in there playing hard. I wish he was playing at 310lbs but that's not going to happen at USC. He's a good leader and mentor. That's important.
Say what? Toa started 13 of 14 games in 2017 and all 13 games his freshman year. To say he's always hurt and destabilizes the O-line is inaccurate. He had the one season ending knee injury against Bama and I believe a staph infection last season where he missed a game. Other than that he's been contributing and relatively healthy. I wouldn't say he's been dominating by any means but he's been in there playing hard. I wish he was playing at 310lbs but that's not going to happen at USC. He's a good leader and mentor. That's important.
xuscx Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 6,336 Likes Received: 1,954 Aug 22, 2018 #13 Toa was too short to play tackle, I think we will make a great center. He is very wide
nvargas Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 2,485 Likes Received: 1,953 Aug 22, 2018 #14 There's been a lot of effort to try and define Toa this offseason (what he's been vs. what he can be vs. what he should be). The consensus IMO is that he came in highly touted, showed tons of potential and performed well his Fr. year, got moved around and was exposed at times, got injured...and is trying to end his career at SC at Center with a strong season. Is Dedich better, would it have been better to leave Toa at Center and find another Tackle, does his body-type limit him to Center, will he clean up the snaps, can he pull, can he stay healthy...? I'll leave that up to Drevno and what I see on the field. Does he model leadership, great attitude, teamplayer and all that...absolutely! A true Trojan thru & thru! Trojan Man 30 likes this.
There's been a lot of effort to try and define Toa this offseason (what he's been vs. what he can be vs. what he should be). The consensus IMO is that he came in highly touted, showed tons of potential and performed well his Fr. year, got moved around and was exposed at times, got injured...and is trying to end his career at SC at Center with a strong season. Is Dedich better, would it have been better to leave Toa at Center and find another Tackle, does his body-type limit him to Center, will he clean up the snaps, can he pull, can he stay healthy...? I'll leave that up to Drevno and what I see on the field. Does he model leadership, great attitude, teamplayer and all that...absolutely! A true Trojan thru & thru!
SoCalN8tiv Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 14,401 Likes Received: 16,969 Aug 22, 2018 #15 Look out behind you Toa. Brett Neilon pulls and PANCAKED Hunter Echols coming off the edge. That's IMPRESSIVE! Brett pushing for playing time. Look out, baby!
Look out behind you Toa. Brett Neilon pulls and PANCAKED Hunter Echols coming off the edge. That's IMPRESSIVE! Brett pushing for playing time. Look out, baby!
Rainman44 Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 691 Likes Received: 824 Aug 22, 2018 #16 I'm totally pulling for To a to have a great season. He is a great Trojan for showing us all what you do when you get knocked down by an injury (or anything in life). You Fight On like To a has. He is one tough and courageous kid. big_pete likes this.
I'm totally pulling for To a to have a great season. He is a great Trojan for showing us all what you do when you get knocked down by an injury (or anything in life). You Fight On like To a has. He is one tough and courageous kid.
wyotrojans Junior Member Joined: Aug 24, 2017 Messages: 483 Likes Received: 342 Aug 22, 2018 #17 It’s not a good thing when your peak season was your freshman year. Something is going to have to change for him to play well. He constantly looked weak to me last year at the point of attack. Getting physically dominated. I really hope he pulls it together this season. He does have a lot of football knowledge and the young guys look up to him.
It’s not a good thing when your peak season was your freshman year. Something is going to have to change for him to play well. He constantly looked weak to me last year at the point of attack. Getting physically dominated. I really hope he pulls it together this season. He does have a lot of football knowledge and the young guys look up to him.