USC offensive lineman Kevin Graf comes from USC genes.
His father, Allan, was a guard on the Trojans 1972 national championship team. His brother, Derek, played center for the Trojans in 2002. So it’s only fitting Graf has found his spot on the Trojans offensive line as well. The redshirt junior returns in 2012 after starting every game at right tackle for USC last season.
There's a softer side to the Agoura High alum that he shares with his teammates off of the field. Graf recently sat down with FOX Sports West to talk football, and family.
FOX Sports West: How is summer going so far?
Kevin Graf: It’s going really good. The team, we’re really coming together, really doing good and it’s been a good summer for me so far.
FS West: What’s the camaraderie like on this team?
KG: It’s been awesome. This is probably the closest team I’ve been on since I’ve been here. It’s been awesome. We hang out together. It’s been a lot of fun working with all of these guys and it’s been a great time.
FS West: How does that affect the competition?
KG: The thing is you always compete more against your friends. I’m going to help out my competition sometimes because, maybe, I know a little more than them. It’s just a back and forth kind of thing. You’re going to compete as hard as you can against them but you can’t let that ruin relationships with your teammates because if you have that then it kind of splits the team apart but we’re not letting that happen. We’re becoming even closer.
FS West: What are some of the things you like to do away from football?
KG: Lately, my brother got a boat, so I’ve been going out on his boat. Other than that, just hanging out with my teammates. I’m getting even closer to them. I’m having them over my house for barbecues and hanging out and enjoying this, not really time off, but extra time to be with them.
FS West: When did you start playing football?
KG: My freshman year of high school. I wasn’t allowed to play Pop Warner because I was too big for it. California has the weight limit, so I was, I think in 8th grade, 100 pounds over the weight limit.
RH: Is that the story with a lot of guys?
KG: Yeah. I’m sure in California it is. I think they actually may have changed (the rule) where they can have one kid over the weight limit but for a lot of kids my year that was the story in California, because there was a weight limit.
RH: Why did you decide to attend USC?
KG: At first, my brother and my dad played here and I spent my whole life going to SC games, always being around here. ’ve been on this football field more than some of our coaches, just because I’ve come to practices watching my brother and I love this place. I’ve spent so much time here and it felt like home to me.
RH: What’s the significance in your uniform number, 77?
KG: It’s a number (former USC) coach (Pete) Carroll gave to me and one of my brother’s best friends on the team, Jacob Rodgers, at the time wore the number so I was really proud to wear the number.
RH: What was your favorite sport growing up?
KG: Football. Even though I couldn’t play, I played basketball and baseball but I always wanted to play football. As a little kid, like five years old, I would put on my brother’s pads and just hit whatever I could.
RH: What’s something that people may find interesting about you?
KG: I think people think I’m a mean guy but I’m actually a pretty nice guy. I’m kind of a teddy bear.
RH: What’s your favorite food?
KG: Anything.
RH: Do you cook?
KG: I barbecue. I’m the one barbecuing when all of my teammates come over ---burgers, chicken, whatever they want.
RH: Who are you closest with on the team?
KG: Probably (offensive guard) John Martinez. Me and him came in together. We roomed on all of our games together and we played next to each other last year, so we definitely had a close bond and it’s been fun hanging out with him.
RH: If you weren’t playing football, what would you be doing?
KG: Probably track. I was a pretty good shot putter in high school and I got some scholarships for that, so I’d probably be doing that.
