Freshmen Opportunity

USC offensive line coach Pat Ruel said he finally got used to the idea of true freshmen getting the most reps at the beginning of training camp, or in the case of Matt Barkley, spring practice.
``I was shocked when I got here and all these freshmen were ahead of the varsity guys,'' Ruel said. ``I thought, `What the heck is going on?' But (Pete Carroll) gives everyone a chance. I think it's one of the most awesome philosophies now. He has done it because everybody on the football team is important.
``Sometimes freshmen are afraid of the environment. But we had 14 first-year guys on our travel squad last year who earned their place. It showed me we do what we say we do. (Carroll) says he gives you an opportunity to play and he follows through.''