Spend a few minutes talking to linebacker Anthony Sarao, and it’s easy to see, he brings a flair of New Jersey personality to the USC football team.
That personality just hasn’t quite been shown on the field, yet.
“It’s coming out more,” said Sarao, a fifth-year senior from Atlantic City. “You got to be a vocal leader now.”
Sarao will start at inside linebacker for a third season, but it will be his first playing without linebacker Hayes Pullard, who was a two-time captain in his five seasons at USC.
Trojans Coach Steve Sarkisian said Sarao has stepped into a leadership role on the defense, a skill Sarao said he learned from Pullard and former safety T.