USC linebacker Keith Rivers is regarded as a possible first-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft. Fellow linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing could be opening-round picks in 2009.
So when USC plays Illinois in the Rose Bowl, the linchpin player in one of college football's deepest and most talented position groups once again will be on the sideline the first time the Trojans' defense takes the field.
And that's just fine with Thomas Williams.
The fifth-year senior from Vacaville, Calif., has made a career of filling spots, playing nearly as much as any starter at all three linebacker positions while remaining a standout on special teams. Teammates this month voted Williams, nicknamed "Hit Man," the team's most inspirational player.
"I had a class here a few years ago and the teacher talked a lot about John Wooden's philosophies and how you had to be prepared to wear a lot of hats," Williams said. "I didn't know what that meant when I first heard it. But I do now."
Coach Pete Carroll described the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Williams as "the best versatility guy we've had," which speaks more to the Trojans' depth than it does to Williams' talent.
He started four games this season and finished as the third-leading tackler among linebackers. Williams had 3 1/2 tackles for losses, intercepted a pass and forced two fumbles for a defense that ranks second nationally.
"He's probably the most valuable player I have in my room," linebackers coach Ken Norton said. "He's able to play all three positions as well as the starters.
"I can't imagine coaching without him. He's really bailed us out in a lot of situations."
Williams, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Christmas Day, struggled through the years to come to terms with his utility status. Now he considers it a blessing.
He acknowledges his good fortune to arrive at USC in 2003, right on the cusp of the Trojans' surge to six consecutive Pacific 10 Conference titles and six straight appearances in Bowl Championship Series games.
But he also joined a program that became seemingly overloaded with All-American linebackers such as Matt Grootegoed and Lofa Tatupu and NFL draft picks such as Tatupu, Dallas Sartz and Oscar Lua.
After USC won the Associated Press national title in 2003, a trio of super prospects signed on with the Trojans. Rivers arrived in 2004, Maualuga and Cushing a year later.
