It's summer, and that means we're starved for the return of football. Unfortunately, the entire month of July still stands between us and the opening of training camp, so for the time being, we'll have to reminisce to get our fix.
For this series, we're reaching back to the year 2000. Our goal is to find the best lineup combination for each program using only players from this century.
Next up, the USC Trojans, who probably could have filled three of these teams with ease.
Offense
QB Matt Leinart: The 2004 Heisman Trophy winner was a three-time All-American and one of the most decorated players in college football history.
RB Reggie Bush: Arguably college football's best player of this century -- if not only most exciting to watch -- Bush ran for 3,169 yards (7.3 ypc) and 25 touchdowns during his three-year career.
RB LenDale White: The thunder to Bush's lightning, White ran for 3,159 yards and a school-record 52 touchdowns.
C Ryan Kalil: Twice named first-team All-Pac-10, Kalil won the Morris Trophy (conference's best lineman) in 2006, when he was also a finalist for the Rimington Award.
OL Sam Baker: A three-time All-American, Baker was a first-round pick of Atlanta in 2008. The Trojans went 47-5 during his career.
OL Matt Kalil: First-team All-American and Morris Trophy winner in 2011, Kalil was selected fourth overall in the 2012 draft by Minnesota.
OL Jacob Rogers: Twice named first-team All-Pac-10 and a consensus All-American in 2003 before being drafted in the second round by Dallas in 2004.
OL Tyron Smith: A first-team All-Pac-10 selection and Morris Trophy winner in 2010. Smith was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 draft (Dallas).
WR Marqise Lee: The first USC player to win the Biletnikoff Award, Lee was also a unanimous All-American and the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2012.
WR Dwayne Jarrett: The first USC receiver ever named to All-American teams in multiple seasons, Jarrett ranks No. 1 all-time at USC in receiving touchdowns (41) and third in catches (216).
TE Fred Davis: Mackey Award winner in 2007, when he caught 62 passes for 881 yards and eight touchdowns. Was a three-year starter who finished with 117 catches for 1,408 yards.
K David Buehler: One of just two kickers in program history be drafted, Buehler was a first-team All-Pac-10 pick in 2008.
Defense
DL Sedrick Ellis: Two-time All-American and 2007 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year was drafted No. 7 overall by the Saints in 2007.
DL Shaun Cody: A four-year starter, Cody shared the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004 when he was a consensus All-American. He was a second-round pick of Detroit in 2005.
DL Kenechi Udeze: Tied for the most sacks per game in the nation in 2003 (1.3) when he was a consensus All-American. Udeze was a first-round pick and currently serves as the team's defensive line coach.
DL Leonard Williams: A two-time All-American, Williams was drafted No. 6 overall by the New York Jets in the 2015 draft.
LB Brian Cushing: Capped his four-year career as an All-American in 2008, when he was a finalist for the Butkus Award. A first-round pick by Houston in the 2009 draft.
LB Rey Maualuga: The 2008 Bednarik Award winner, Maualuga was a unanimous All-American in 2008. He was named first-team All-Pac-10 three times and was the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
LB Keith Rivers: Twice a first-team All-Pac-10 selection and an All-American in 2007, Rivers was a first-round pick of Cincinnati in 2008.
CB Terrell Thomas: Had two strong seasons to finish his career before being drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft by the New York Giants. Was named first-team All-Pac-10 by ESPN.com in 2007 and twice named second-team All-Pac-10 by the conference.
CB Adoree' Jackson: Cornerback is the one position that is hard to fill at USC, so even though Jackson has played just two seasons, he gets the nod after a first-team All-Pac-12 season in 2015.
S Troy Polamalu: Received first-team All-American honors in 2001 and 2002 and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
S Taylor Mays: Was a three-time All-American and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2008. A second round pick by San Francisco in 2010.
P Tom Malone: The first All-American punter in school history, Malone averaged 44.0 yards per punt, a tenth of yard short of the school record. He also gets bonus points for his nickname: Tom "The Bomb."
