LOS ANGELES -Tre Madden was on a one-week trial at running back.
After participating in his first scrimmage at the position at the Coliseum on Saturday, Madden passed the test.
"He will be playing running back," said USC coach Lane Kiffin at the conclusion of Saturday’s practice.
Madden showed burst and a power that impressed the head coach.
"At 225 pounds, to stay up with that forward lean, as he was getting banged around was pretty unique to see," Kiffin said. “Then you see his speed for a big guy too, because he outran a couple of our guys at the corner.
“You can teach two guys the same thing and some guys just pick them up very natural. To come over that quick and even be functional is saying a lot, let alone to be performing like he is.”
Madden played Wildcat quarterback and linebacker at Mission Viejo High School where his father, Curtis Madden Jr., is the running backs coach.
Tre Madden's glad he's in a spot where he can contribute, but never thought he would be at running back.
"I didn't really give it too much thought," Madden said of playing offense. “I was focused on defense and special teams, trying to help the team out and playing my role.
“(I’ll play) wherever I can benefit the team.”
He comes from good genes. Madden Jr. played fullback at Kansas State. Tre Madden's grandfather, Lawrence McCutcheon is the director of player personnel for the St. Louis Rams and his uncle, Daylon McCutcheon, is a former player with the Trojans and the Cleveland Browns.
"I used to go out on the field and just play with (my dad) and do drills and just work on my footwork and that’s really beneficial," Tre Madden said said. “It really never leaves you. When you start working on it, it comes back to you just naturally.”
The only hangup is which uniform number he will wear. Madden, who says “I’ve always had a three in my number," wears No. 13, as does Trojans backup quarterback Max Wittek.
Madden wore No. 3 in high school. That number, worn by Carson Palmer during his Heisman Trophy campaign at USC, is retired. Wittek wore No. 13 in high school.
Let the number feud begin.
"I’m going to try to get him out of it, try to bribe him a little bit," Madden said. “We’ll see where it goes.”
