Ben Malcolmson tried out for the USC Football team because he thought it would make for a great story. Little did he know he would be one of the nine walk-ons selected to join the team.

I went in to talk to Carroll a little before noon, and if he was playing a joke, he sure was doing a fine job of showing a poker face.

“You could catch some balls out there,” Carroll said before complimenting my speed and route running.

“We’re really low on numbers, especially wide receivers,” Carroll said as he dribbled a basketball while sitting on a plush leather coach in his office. “Do you want to do it?”

“Heck yes,” I responded, still in disbelief of what was happening.

“Well, let’s do it,” Carroll said as he tossed the basketball at me. He shook my hand, turned away and was immediately off to work.

Hauling in a Hail Mary [Daily Trojan]