LenDale White discusses initial reaction to Big Ten move, reasons for excitement

Former USC Trojan running back LenDale White was part of some of the greatest college football teams of all-time during his days of suiting up with the Trojans. He shared the same field with such legends as Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. White was a very prolific player in his own right during his time with USC. After three seasons, he set the program record for career rushing touchdowns with 52. Recently, the former Trojan great made an appearance on “The Herd” with FOX’s Colin Cowherd to talk about his initial reaction to USC leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten.

“My initial reaction, I definitely was surprised at first. I mean, we’ve been in the Pac-12 or Pac-10 forever. So, I didn’t see us moving. But when you talk about the financial aspect of it. It only makes sense. We are one of the big dog programs for the world. So, we should be paid like it. I think it’s gonna help out recruiting. It’s gonna help out with you know, getting kids coming to the school. It’s an exciting time. If you’re a USC fan, you should be getting excited. We’ve got a new head coach Lincoln Riley. We’ve got Mike Bohn (USC Athletic Director) in there doing a great job. This is a great time to be a Trojan,” White said.

White also recently told Keely Eure that he thinks it won’t be long at all before Riley gets the program turned around. “Just seeing the fans. Seeing our coaching staff. Just knowing the importance of what we have ahead of us right now. And I feel like the coaching staff is doing a great job trying to get the best players here and we’re trying to turn it around ASAP. I don’t think it’s going to be a long [time to rebuild the program]. I feel like it’s gonna be a couple of years and we’ll be right back where we need to be,” White said.

Reggie Bush and LenDale White formed one of the best running back tandems in college football history

Reggie Bush and LenDale White formed one of the greatest running back tandems in college football history during their time with the Trojans. The dynamic duo combined for 3,042 rushing yards and 40 rushing yards during the 2005 college football season. White was an integral piece of the 2005-2006 Trojans’ team that squared off against the Texas Longhorns in the 2006 Rose Bowl (National Championship Game), but fell 41-38, in what is still considered one of the greatest college football games in the sports’ history. Once he wrapped up his career with the Trojans, White had rushed 541 times for 3,159 career rushing yards and 52 touchdowns on the ground. As a receiver, he hauled in 31 catches for 331 receiving yards, while bringing in five touchdowns through the air.

While the Denver, Colorado native’s NFL career was short-lived, he still rushed for over 1,000 rushing yards and seven touchdowns with the Tennessee Titans in the 2007 season. In four years in the National Football League, White had 628 carries for 2,349 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground.