Good article this week from Sports Illustrated about the USC linebacking unit, including Ray Maualuga, who was drafted in the 2nd round by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. According to this article, Maualuga has matured quite a bit since last season. Here is an excerpt:"Rey's really matured," said Carroll at the time. "He's a grown man now."
Even grown men still need a swift kick in the rear every so often. Following USC's stunning 27--21 loss at Oregon State last September, in which Maualuga was "terrible," according to Carroll—Norton summoned the senior to his office.
"I felt he was underachieving," Norton recalls. "And he needed to know that. Just to challenge him a little, I asked him, 'Is it possible that you might be overrated?'"
Norton then issued a not-so-veiled threat, asking the proud senior how embarrassing it would be for one of the most feared players in the college game to be second string on his own team.
"Worst meeting of my life," recalls Maualuga.
It had the desired effect. "Rey just cranked it up to another level," says Carroll. "He practiced great, studied [the game] harder and better than ever. He finished on the rise." When the season ended, his teammates voted him the Trojans' most valuable player.
