Willie Mcginest

Like many a pass-rusher before him, USC linebacker Willie McGinest holds a certain disdain for opposing quarterbacks. "I have respect for quarterbacks, but it's not my job to like them," McGinest said. "It's my job to destroy them. They're the bull's-eye and I'm the bull." McGinest, however, has missed his mark more than he would have liked.

At first glance, there would seem to be few similarities between Ray Lewis of Baltimore and Dat Nguyen of Dallas, other than that both are NFL linebackers. Lewis, a prep standout in Florida, was selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 draft after his junior season at Miami. Nguyen is the son of Vietnamese immigrants.

Why doesn't Willie McGinest pick on someone his own size? That's what some wondered at a Trojan football practice the other day, when the 6-foot-6, 245-pound defensive end picked a fight with Stuart Gage, an offensive tackle who goes 6-4 and 300 pounds. Actually, USC Coach John Robinson would prefer that McGinest pick on smaller players, such as quarterbacks. But most saw the McGinest-Gage match at Wednesday's practice as a couple of eager big guys, sick and tired of football practice.

Well, here they go, Tony and Willie, nose to nose, friends turned foes, Trojans in a trench. Tony Boselli, 6 feet 7, 325 pounds, is the guy you've got to get by to get to the Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback. Willie McGinest, 6-5, 255, is the guy who's got to get by him, a New England Patriot who is curious how Boselli's name will be entered in the McGinest book of records.

As expected, linebacker Willie McGinest, who led the Pacific 10 Conference in sacks last season, announced that he will remain at USC for his senior season.

Coach Larry Smith said the return of outside linebacker Willie McGinest gave USC a boost Saturday in its 34-27 victory over Washington State. Smith said McGinest caused two fumbles and broke up three passes in his first game after missing two games because of a sprained ankle. He also had two sacks. "He had a great game," Smith said. "He was our defensive MVP. It was probably his best overall game since he's been here.

Willie McGinest, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound linebacker, is expected to announce today that he will remain at USC instead of declaring himself eligible for the NFL draft. "If I would guess, I'd say he is leaning toward staying," said Rickey Hunley, a Trojan graduate assistant coach. "I think he wants to have a good season under his belt." Hunley was attending a college coaches convention in Atlanta on Sunday. McGinest, who has said he will announce his decision today, could not be reached.

At first glance, there would seem to be few similarities between Ray Lewis of Baltimore and Dat Nguyen of Dallas, other than that both are NFL linebackers. Lewis, a prep standout in Florida, was selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 draft after his junior season at Miami. Nguyen is the son of Vietnamese immigrants.

A female USC graduate student denied Wednesday in Los Angeles Municipal Court that she had had prior physical contact with three Trojan football players who she alleges pinned her to a bed and sexually assaulted her last summer. The woman testified that she did not grab any of the players in a playful manner or entice them sexually during a 29-day Summer College in which she was a peer counselor. The issue was raised by defense attorney Alex R.

USC's Willie McGinest, the fourth player taken in the NFL draft, signed a four-year, $6-million contract with the New England Patriots on Tuesday. The contract includes a $3.3-million signing bonus and salaries of $500,000, $625,000, $750,000 and $875,000. Bob Kraft, who became the Patriots' owner Jan. 21, said he had no intention of waiting for other teams to establish a salary scale by signing their picks first.

USC's Willie McGinest, the fourth player taken in the NFL draft, signed a four-year, $6-million contract with the New England Patriots on Tuesday. The contract includes a $3.3-million signing bonus and salaries of $500,000, $625,000, $750,000 and $875,000. Bob Kraft, who became the Patriots' owner Jan. 21, said he had no intention of waiting for other teams to establish a salary scale by signing their picks first.

The key defensive players at USC and UCLA obviously impressed NFL scouts. Willie McGinest, the big, strong Trojan defensive end, was the fourth player chosen in the draft, by the New England Patriots, and Miller, the Bruins' big, quick junior linebacker, was picked by Arizona 10th. As expected, another Southland star, wide receiver Johnny Morton of USC, also was drafted in the first round. Morton, picked by the Detroit Lions, was the 21st choice.

Their decisions were made two days apart in January, 1993. Johnnie Morton and Willie McGinest breathed deeply and announced they were returning for their senior seasons at USC and not declaring themselves eligible for the NFL draft. Academicians applauded. In this era of mad dashes from class to cash, staying in school was politically correct. If not financially ruinous.

This is a year when the Raiders and Rams should draft for need on the first round. . . . That means a running back for the Raiders and, oh, an offensive lineman, wide receiver, defensive back, linebacker or understudy quarterback for the Rams. . . . Heath Shuler of Tennessee and Trent Dilfer of Fresno State will be the first two quarterbacks taken, but the best competitor might be Glen Foley of Boston College. . . .

Last August, during USC's training camp, Willie McGinest looked boldly ahead to his senior season and set a goal for himself: 25 sacks. Seemed like a nice, round number. As a junior linebacker last season, McGinest had 16 in a 63-tackle season. But the best-laid plans. . . . McGinest, who was switched from linebacker to sort of a roving defensive end by Coach John Robinson, has come up a little short. Going into Saturday's game against UCLA, McGinest has only five sacks.

Why doesn't Willie McGinest pick on someone his own size? That's what some wondered at a Trojan football practice the other day, when the 6-foot-6, 245-pound defensive end picked a fight with Stuart Gage, an offensive tackle who goes 6-4 and 300 pounds. Actually, USC Coach John Robinson would prefer that McGinest pick on smaller players, such as quarterbacks. But most saw the McGinest-Gage match at Wednesday's practice as a couple of eager big guys, sick and tired of football practice.

Well, here they go, Tony and Willie, nose to nose, friends turned foes, Trojans in a trench. Tony Boselli, 6 feet 7, 325 pounds, is the guy you've got to get by to get to the Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback. Willie McGinest, 6-5, 255, is the guy who's got to get by him, a New England Patriot who is curious how Boselli's name will be entered in the McGinest book of records.

As expected, linebacker Willie McGinest, who led the Pacific 10 Conference in sacks last season, announced that he will remain at USC for his senior season.

Willie McGinest, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound linebacker, is expected to announce today that he will remain at USC instead of declaring himself eligible for the NFL draft. "If I would guess, I'd say he is leaning toward staying," said Rickey Hunley, a Trojan graduate assistant coach. "I think he wants to have a good season under his belt." Hunley was attending a college coaches convention in Atlanta on Sunday. McGinest, who has said he will announce his decision today, could not be reached.