 "Photo: Katie Kirkland / The Gamecock")
Thirteen pounds. That's about all that separates USC's Jordin and Dustin Lindsey, identical twins.
Hailing from Davidson High School in Mobile, Ala., "the twins" had some decision making to do. The two decided they didn't want to be separated, costing them a shot at possibly playing at more high-profile schools.
"That's the thing with Alabama," Dustin said. "They were offering one of us a scholarship and not the other one because of the scholarship probation back then. We were like, 'forget that, that isn't happening.'"
Born on Christmas Eve in 1985, the twins naturally did what almost all other kids in Alabama do - they played football. The two have been coached by their father since age 5, with him contributing his knowledge up through their underclassmen years in high school.
"He was one of those hyper parents," Dustin said. "We'd be 6 years old, he'd be sitting there going crazy about plays. 'This is what you got to do, this is what you got to do.' I didn't really know what to do then."
The two are almost indistinguishable, and not only in looks. Listed at the same height, linebacker Dustin gives up 13 pounds to defensive end Jordin, but other differences don't appear to be common.
At Davidson, the two were co-defensive linemen of the year in southwest Alabama. They were two of three finalists for defensive player of the year in the state. Nine tackles and two sacks were all that separated them as seniors in Mobile.
Their skills have been recognized by USC co-defensive coordinators John Thompson and Tyrone Nix. Jordin now starts, while Dustin contributes to the defense from the bench and is leading his brother in tackles.
"We're just doing what they want us to do," Dustin said. "Bring as much intensity as we said out on the field, do everything we can, learn everything we can from our coaches."
"They love the game, they play hard, they play hurt, they're tough," Thompson said. "They keep getting better and better."
A recent theme of USC football has been opportunity. Redshirt freshman defensive back Stoney Woodson and senior defensive back Tremaine Tyler were slotted as starters after the original secondary performed poorly the previous week. Freshman linebacker Marvin Sapp got the nod over experienced, talented linebackers because of their weak showings. The twins were no exception but are now something more -potential leaders of a struggling defense.
"I think they see that if you play hard and you play hard all the time, you get on the field," Thompson said.
In a time when Thompson is concerned about scoring defense, third-down conversions and a lack of awareness, the twins have elevated their games - earning 15 tackles in the last three games.
The twins, sophomores this season, have a few years left and are excited about what's to come.
"A lot of the guys that we have now, it's going to be a different story the next couple years," Dustin said. "We got some fire coming up in everybody's butts."
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