BHHS Football Alumni Now at USC

Two former athletes have joined the University of Southern California football program.

was named a Prep Star All-American and All-Ocean League defensive Most Valuable Player as a 6-foot 4-inch tall, 260-pound defensive lineman for the Normans last season. He is now a freshman strong side defensive end for the Trojans.

Despite missing part of his senior season with a jaw injury suffered in practice, Townsend Jr. had six tackles and a fumble recovery against Hamilton, and another six tackles against Canyon. He had five tackles and two sacks in the Normans' season opener against Santa Barbara, and rushed for a touchdown in a 62-28 league win over Morningside. 

Townsend Jr. enjoyed a stellar junior season at BHHS with 73 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three blocked extra points. As a sophomore, he had 38 tackles and three sacks. His father, Greg Sr., was a four-time All-Pro defensive end who played for the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.

"Greg is an awesome player," Beverly Hills coach said. "Losing him is a big blow but I've been doing this for 30 years. I've had big-time guys like that come through the program and you just move on."

Townsend Jr. will be competing for a spot with seven other defensive ends: fellow freshman DeVante Wilson, redshirt sophomore Kevin Greene, redshirt juniors Wes Horton and Nick Perry, redshirt seniors Eric Childs and Zack Kusnir, and senior Armand Armstead.

Another former BHHS player on the Trojans' roster is 6-foot tall, 265-pound redshirt senior defensive tackle Tyler Grady, who played at Santa Monica College before moving on to USC. He had 35 total tackles and two sacks his senior season at BHHS in 2005.

Grady will be challenged for a starting spot with fellow redshirt seniors DaJohn Harris and Christian Tupou, freshmen Antwaun Woods, J.R. Tavai and Christian Heyward, and redshirt freshman George Uko.   

Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.