There’s Safety in This Number

Darnell Bing reported for spring practice in 2003 bearing the weight of expectations and wearing one of the most famous jersey numbers in USC history.

No USC player had donned No. 20 since Mike Garrett, the 1965 Heisman Trophy winner. Garrett’s jersey, like those of all USC’s five Heisman winners, had been retired and encased in glass in Heritage Hall.

But at Coach Pete Carroll’s request, Garrett -- USC’s athletic director -- granted Bing permission to wear No. 20 when he signed a letter of intent with the Trojans in 2002.

“I told Darnell, ‘If you play well, we can retire it again,’ ” Garrett said that spring. “ ‘If you don’t, I’ll take it back.’ ”

Bing, who succeeded two-time All-American Troy Polamalu at strong safety, is wearing the number well.

After a slow start because of injuries, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound sophomore has recently been playing like the NFL prospect that Carroll envisioned when he recruited Bing out of Long Beach Poly High.

“I think he found a different level of performing,” Carroll said. “And I think he’s got a whole ‘nother level to him -- or two.”

Bing started only two of the top-ranked Trojans’ first four games and did not play against California because of shoulder and neck problems.

He returned to the lineup with a breakout performance against Arizona State and has dominated in blowout victories against Washington and Washington State. Bing intends to continue the run on Saturday night when USC plays Oregon State in a Pacific 10 Conference game at Corvallis, Ore.

“This year, when I see something, I just go ahead and take it instead of trying to hold back and thinking whether I’m going to make the play or miss it,” Bing said. “I’m just a lot more confident.”

Bing, 20, was part of a 2002 recruiting class that also included receiver Mike Williams. Bing, however, failed to achieve a qualifying score on standardized entrance exams and was forced to delay enrollment until he qualified.

“It was stressful because I had everyone at home on me real tough wanting me to pass the test,” said Bing, the youngest of three brothers. “But I kind of think it was helpful. Because the time I was out I got a chance to sit back and watch what was going on, and see the level of intensity on the field.

“I also probably got a little bigger. The whole time I was out, I was working out two or three times a day.”

Bing played safety and running back in high school -- his boyhood idol was No. 20 Barry Sanders -- but Carroll wasted no time making him Polamalu’s successor. He started every game in 2003, finished fourth on the team in tackles and earned Freshman All-America honors as the Trojans won a share of the national championship for the first time since 1978.

But Carroll said something was missing.

“He just played conservatively,” said Carroll, who also is defensive coordinator. “He played secure, took care of his assignments, rarely got into bad situations. But he wasn’t really productive in a lot of ways.”

Carroll hatched a simple off-season plan to get more out of Bing in 2004.

“We wanted to try to find the best guy we could find that could play and push him,” Carroll said.

The coaching staff found Scott Ware, a 6-3, 220-pound safety from Santa Rosa College, who made an immediate impression during fall camp with his speed and crunching hits. Ware missed the opener because of a concussion but started the next two games as Bing fought to overcome a shoulder injury incurred during training camp.

Bing started against Stanford on Sept. 25, but a pinched nerve in his neck kept him sidelined against Cal.

With Ware out because of a foot injury, Bing returned with a passion against Arizona State. He recorded six tackles and intercepted a pass as the Trojans routed the then-No. 15 Sun Devils, 45-7.

“I went into the game with a little different attitude,” said Bing, who acknowledged that Ware’s play, when healthy, “brought some pressure out there a little bit.”

Carroll was not surprised.

“Part of the excitement of coming to SC is that guys can find new levels in their performance because they have to,” he said. “That’s why we talk about and stress competition.”

Ware, who could be back for the game against Arizona on Nov. 13, also has benefited from competition with Bing.

“I’ve definitely been pushed since I came here -- that’s why I came here in the first place,” he said. “If I can push him at the same time, that’s a great thing.”

Bing said his shoulder pain has subsided, but he remains taxed emotionally at times.

On the night USC defeated Stanford in Palo Alto, a cousin whom he considered a brother was shot and killed in Inglewood. Less than a week later, his paternal grandmother also passed away.

“I’ve been playing with a heavy heart,” Bing said.

Bing’s mother, Michelle Lewis, calls her youngest son daily to help him cope. “He’s been taking it really hard,” she said.

Bing said he would like to stay at USC for two more years and become an All-American. Because he graduated from high school in 2002, he is eligible for the next NFL draft.

“We’ll mess with him a little bit and ask him if he’s going to leave this year,” senior free safety Jason Leach said. “He just smiles.”

Carroll no doubt will advise Bing to remain at USC for at least one more year.

“He’s almost a different guy on the field, a big hitter now,” Carroll said. “He’s been as productive as can be. He hasn’t missed many opportunities.”