Defense follows leader

USC cornerback Terrell Thomas is not planning a speech this week.

None is required.

USC's defense is playing with vigor and attitude that began to flourish during last season's shutout victory at Stanford, an effort that came one week after an upset loss at Oregon State and one day after Thomas stood before his teammates and delivered an address that inspired the Trojans to a 42-0 rout.

"When he asked for the floor, I figured he would be all right," Coach Pete Carroll said this week. "He's worked really hard to understand how it all works and fits together. He's a terrific disciple of the philosophy."

Thomas, a fifth-year senior from Alta Loma, has come back from three surgeries to help lead a unit that ranks 15th nationally in total defense heading into Saturday's Pacific 10 Conference game against Stanford at the Coliseum.

Thomas has made several big plays this season, including two that figured prominently in the Trojans' three-point victory over Washington last week in Seattle.

The player nicknamed "T2" terminated one Huskies threat in the third quarter by stripping the ball from a punt returner and recovering the fumble. The turnover set up a field goal that put the Trojans ahead, 27-17. Thomas also came up with the ball on an onside kick after Washington pulled to within three points, 27-24, with 34 seconds left.

For the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Thomas, one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2008 NFL draft, the plays are part of a resume that he hopes to complete with another national title and postseason honors.

"I want to leave a mark at SC. I want to be an All-American," he said. "All of us talk about it, but I truly do."

Thomas, 22, played running back and safety at Rancho Cucamonga High but recognized he was on track to play cornerback at USC after signing with the Trojans in 2003.

"I did want to play safety, but in our defense you have to be 6-3 monsters running 4.3s at 230 pounds," he said, referring to former safety Darnell Bing and current teammate Taylor Mays.

Thomas redshirted his first season while recovering from surgery to repair a dislocated right shoulder. He played as a reserve and on special teams in 2004, then broke into the starting lineup in 2005.

However, Thomas' season ended in the second game against Arkansas when he suffered torn ligaments in his right knee.

"It took a lot for me to come back from that," he said. "I grew from that into a man. I lost so much but gained so much. It kind of humbled me."