David is starting for Goliath – Former Islander Kirtman takes senior role with USC Trojans

Published 5:46 pm Monday, November 24, 2008

By Matt Phelps

Mercer Island High School graduate David Kirtman has been a part of the winningest college football program in the country over the last three years. Kirtman will play his senior season at the University of Southern California as a starter. He wants to help his team win an unprecedented third consecutive national championship.

“I had no idea we would have success like this,” said Kirtman. “No one predicted this.”

The fullback has only started six games during his career, but has been a big part of the team’s success by blocking for its high-powered offense and catching passes out of the back field.

“We just have so many darn weapons,” said Kirtman. “It will be nice to have that starter tag this year.”

Being a starter for the Trojans means that NFL scouts are watching.

“I just want to be considered a great fullback in the Pac-10 and have a chance to play in the National Football League,” said Kirtman.

The Trojans are ranked No.1 in every preseason poll this year.

“I don’t think that anyone should take it seriously,” said Kirtman. “That is based on last year and you haven’t proven anything yet. The polls at the end of the year are the only ones that matter.”

In 2003, Kirtman’s sophomore season, he rushed for just 23 yards and caught four passes for 20 yards as he was primarily used as a blocking back. He saw more playing time last year with 45 yards rushing and 161 yards receiving on 19 receptions.

“He has had quite a career down there,” said Mercer Island High School football head coach Dick Nicholl.

The number of victories is the only statistic Kirtman cares about.

There have been 21 teams since 1900 that have won back-to-back national titles, but only three have won three consecutive championships. No school has won three consecutive national titles since Minnesota did it from 1934-1936. All of those titles for the Golden Gophers were ties with one or more schools.

“The whole season we were on a roll last year and we expect to win,” said Kirtman, whose Trojans were a perfect 13-0 last year. “We don’t know what it is like to lose, but we play every game like it is our last.”

Keeping a college team together with the big money of the NFL looming for the best players, is one of the biggest challenges for coaches and schools. Kirtman’s friend and former roommate for two years at USC is quarterback Matt Leinart. The potential No. 1 draft pick for the NFL put millions of dollars on hold to play his senior season with the Trojans.

“We came in together on a recruiting trip,” said Kirtman. “It is good to see a classmate stay this long. We have built a bond through the passing game.”

The fullback was also joined last year by former Islander kicker Taylor Odegard and will play this season against former Islander Mike Gottlieb, who plays for the University of Washington Huskies.

Kirtman was a running back at Mercer Island High School and still holds five major rushing records and four scoring records.

“I got my work ethic from high school and I learned to bring it to the practice field,” said Kirtman. “Nicholl is a great man and he really has an eye for talent.”

That eye picked out Kirtman during his ninth-grade year.

“He showed signs of being an outstanding high school player when he was practicing with the varsity as a ninth grader,” said Nicholl. “He is very physical and mentally tough. He has great hands and you have to have good hands to play fullback in the NFL.”

Kirtman began playing football relatively late in his childhood.

“When I was young my dad wouldn’t let me play,” said Kirtman. “I have always loved football and in sixth grade he let me play.”

But football is not everything for Kirtman. The academic side is just as impressive. He graduated with a bachelors’ degree in business in June and has begun graduate school at USC for communications.

He hasn’t made plans for when he finishes school but he hopes to have plans after the first of the year: Helping to hold up the National Championship trophy again.

“It is just great to be with all your boys and win a national title,” said Kirtman. “There is no feeling like it.”