Seau emerges from uncle's shadow

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Ian Seau, the nephew of former USC linebacker Junior Seau (above), has the same quarterback-seeking mentality as his elder. Robert Beck/Icon SMI

Ian Seau isn't content to be known as the nephew of former USC and current Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, but there are similarities between the two.

Though playing defensive end for La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.), Ian Seau projects as a college linebacker. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior has stats (four sacks, 30 tackles this season) and highlight-reel capability as his uncle. "I love to hit people," he said.

College coaches have noted his skills as well. He has drawn interest from UCLA, USC, Notre Dame, Colorado and Florida, among others. Early in October, the first scholarship offer came in a box with a Boulder, Colo., postmark.

"I was pretty sure I knew what it was going to be," Ian Seau said. "There was a letter, telling me that I had an offer from [Colorado]."

The offer was a relief. "Hopefully this one brings in another and another," the defensive standout said.

Seau has his priorities mapped out. Distance isn't much of an issue as he is looking at programs across the country, far away from California. The staying power of a program and its tradition, will all factor into the process.

"I really want to get beyond all the fluff and just see what the college is about, in particular, its prestige," Seau said. "I think that will definitely factor into things."

A school that lives up to that model is an 80-mile drive up I-99 to USC. It is at the Los Angeles Coliseum, after all, where his uncle made his mark in the late 80's as a Trojan.

"If USC offered me, I'd be extremely happy," he said. "I wouldn't commit on the spot, but it's a place I'd very much like to play and could see myself playing at."

His uncle, for his part, isn't pressuring Ian into any decisions. He's encouraged his nephew to look at all schools.

"They don't play any favorites at USC, they just ask you to step up and compete," Seau said. "Coach [Pete] Carroll is the type of coach I'd want to play for. He lets the players go out there and play. He loves to compete and he wants the same things in his players."

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