HE'S FROSTEE THE LINEMAN RUCKER FINDS HOME RUSHING THE PASSER AS AN END FOR USC.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Frostee Rucker always had a quick first step. He did when he was a running back and linebacker at Tustin High in Orange County, and also when he became a full-time linebacker after going to Colorado State.

After transferring to USC because of a legal problem, he still has that quick first step - only he now aims it at tracking down quarterbacks, manning the defensive line for the Trojans.

And the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Rucker finally seems to have found his place.

``I've done what I'm supposed to do,'' Rucker said. ``I gained my weight in the offseason, I worked hard and I haven't made mental mistakes. I've been waiting for my opportunity. I sure hope (this is it).''

Rucker will try to fill the shoes vacated by Kenechi Udeze, whom the Minnesota Vikings drafted in the first round, as the main pass-rushing threat. He filled in admirably for the injured Omar Nazel at linebacker last year.

And as a junior, he's the expected starter at defensive end on a formidable front that includes preseason All-American tackles Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson.

In the season opener against Virginia Tech, Rucker had just one tackle. This week, he'll have his first chance to play against the Rams (0-1), his former team. Last week, he said if he could only play one game all season, this would be it.

``With his ties there, he definitely wants to have a really good game,'' Cody said.

Some of that came from not playing for two years. He redshirted for the Rams in 2001 and had to sit out in 2002 after transferring to USC. Last year, Rucker made 26 tackles at linebacker and had 1 1/2 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

``He's matured a lot since he came in,'' Cody said. ``He was a kid that was kind of a goofball. Frostee's always loosey-goosey. But he's matured a lot.''

Rucker used to dream of playing for UCLA, not USC. But he's been thrilled to witness USC's turnaround under coach Pete Carroll. He couldn't have pictured a better situation.

``I'm totally blessed with the decision I made coming here,'' Rucker said.

``Everything's worked out. My first year we went to the Orange Bowl, then we (share) the national championship ... We're preseason No. 1. It's amazing. People would die to be in this situation. Everything worked out for a reason.''

Rucker left Colorado State without playing a down and received a one-year deferred sentence to a misdemeanor charge for third-degree harassment involving a female student.

``It was a tough situation because the whole environment (with the team), the people and the team were good,'' Rucker said. ``But I'm closer to my mom now. She'll be at all my home games.''

Rucker won't see Larry Kerr, the longtime Colorado State defensive coordinator, since Kerr now is at UCLA. Rucker said he spoke with Kerr before he left and again after the USC-UCLA game last year.

Rucker still has other pressing matters to tend to, such as impressing his defensive line coach, Ed Orgeron. Rucker hadn't practiced last week because of an injured foot. And he sat out spring practice while recovering from surgery on a sprained toe.

Last Thursday, Carroll mentioned freshman Jeff Schweiger, who has stood out in practice, could start at defensive end.

When asked if he saw this as Rucker's big year, Orgeron said: ``I don't know. We'll have to see.

``... He's showed a lot of promise, but we'll have to see. He's just getting used to the position and the demands of the position. He needs to make a lot of improvements.''

Rucker is the type of player who seemingly always is laughing or joking about something. Orgeron is a no-nonsense coach who wouldn't mind if Rucker toned things down a bit.

``People think I'm not serious and I do like to joke around, but it's serious when I'm on the field,'' Rucker said. ``Everyone who knows me knows I'm serious about playing. Otherwise, I like to have a ton of laughs.''

Fellow USC defensive lineman Chris Barrett, who was a seventh grader when he first met Rucker - blocking for Rucker the running back at Tustin - looked to him as a mentor.

Barrett said he's gone to Rucker for advice or a good laugh and that he's always there.

``Frostee is Frostee,'' Barrett said. ``He's a cool person.''

Especially since he finally seems to be in his happy place.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com

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