Scholarship Recipients – Bob Chandler Foundation

Annual Scholarship Award

The guidelines and requirements for the USC Bob Chandler Scholarship Award truly distinguish its recipients. Underclassmen are evaluated during the season, based on their athletic ability, academic scholarship, and character, both on and off the playing field, including leadership, courage, tenacity, discipline, loyalty and high standards of morals and values. Those underclassmen judged worthy candidates are chosen by the USC’s Athletic Department. The award is presented annually at the Football Awards Banquet. The Foundation, through its “Friends of Bob” campaign, has permanently endowed the scholarship in Bob’s memory. Highlights of Bob’s USC athletic career are on permanent display in USC’s John McKay Athletic Center lobby to honor Bob, who exemplified the highest standards of moral character, commitment to family values and dedication to athletic excellence.

Sammy Knight1996

"Sammy Knight, who starred at safety for USC and in the NFL, is in his second year as a graduate assistant working with the safeties. Knight, 35, lettered 4 years (1993-96) at safety and linebacker (rover) at USC, starting the last 3 seasons. He had 290 tackles and 5 interceptions in his career."

Jonathan Heimbauch1997

Jonathan Himebauch started two of his four years as a dependable center for the Trojans. In 1997, he was a co-captain of the team and started every game. He had an outstanding performance against Stanford as the Trojans racked up 511 yards in a 45-21 victory. In 1996, as a junior, he anchored the offensive line that allowed the Trojans to average 362.7 yards per game. He was the team MVP at Damien HS in La Verne, CA. Himebauch was selected to the L.A. Times first team. An English major, he won the Howard Jones /Football Alumni Club Academic Award.

Chad Morton1998

A four-year performer at tailback and as a return specialist under College Football Hall of Fame coach John Robinson for USC, Chad Morton led the Trojans to a 26-22 record and an appearance in the 1998 Sun Bowl. A two-year team captain, Morton was named the team MVP and was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game after his senior season. The team leader in punt returns in 1996 (149) and 1997 (168), he ranks 15th in school history in career punt return yards (390) at this time. Morton also paced the Trojans in scoring (90) and kick return yards (341) in 1999. A four-time First Team Academic All-Pac-10 selection, he was a consistent member of the Dean’s List. Morton earned a degree in sociology.

Aaron Williams1999

DEFENSIVELY, USC welcomes back starter senior Aaron Williams at tackle. He's an economics major at USC. In the spring of 1997, he was selected to participate in the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference in Florida, where 300-plus student-athletes gathered to discuss solutions to critical issues facing the nation's student-athletes. He likes to write poetry. Offensive tackle Brent McCaffrey: "Aaron's perfect for the style of defense we have. It's tough to play against him in practice. He's awesome. He gives me fits every day in practice. He does a great job attacking because he's so aggressive. He reads offensive linemen so well. Other guys see him give 110 percent all the time. It makes you pick up your own level of play."

Mike Van Rapporst 2000

In 1999, Mike Van Rapporst won the No. 1 quarterback job at USC for spring football practice and entering fall drills."In my mind, it's far from over. I've just got to keep working hard and getting better. I'm happy with what has been going on in the spring, but I see lots of things I need to improve on, mostly fundamental things.” He appeared in 5 games last fall, including starting twice in the middle of the season, before an ankle sprain sidelined him for USC's final 2 contests. Overall, he completed 21-of-46 passes (45.7%) for 218 yards and a TD with 2 interceptions.

Charlie Landrigan 2001

Charlie Landrigan, a fullback from Mission Viejo, CA and a political science major, believes that “In order to be a good fullback at USC, you have to commit yourself to blocking.You have to come out with your chinstrap buckled tight or you'll get blown up.” In high school, Landrigan played fullback, but was also an All-Orange County linebacker. He had 124 tackles and four sacks his senior year. He started USC's last nine games in 1999, catching 11 passes for 64 yards. This season, he has started every game and has three catches for 17 yards. He also has had a few chances to run the ball.

Darrell Rideaux2002

The Foundation is proud to announce that Darrell Rideaux is the recipient of the Bob Chandler Foundation Scholarship Award for the 2002-2003 season. Darrell has demonstrated those leadership and scholastic qualities characteristic of the prior scholarship award winners. Besides his outstanding athletic achievements on the football and track field, he is involved with helping inner city youth.

Keary Colbert2003

The Bob Chandler Foundation is pleased to announce Kerry Colbert as the BCF scholarship award winner for 2003. Keary is an outstanding receiver and leader both on the field and off. He is majoring in Sociology and active in Athletes in Action.

Jason Leach2004

Jason Leach was selected as the BCF scholarship award winner for 2004. Jason is a safety on defense. He is majoring in Public Policy and Management and has spoken to high school students as part of the Student Academic Seminars.

Lofa Tatupu2005

Tatupu made the improbable jump from starting at Maine in 2001 to becoming an All-American at USC and leading the Trojans in tackles for 2 years started for his second season at middle linebacker as a junior in 2004. Lofa exemplifies a true Friend of Bob with his performance both on and off the playing field. He declared for the NFL draft following his 2004 junior season.

Ryan Kalil2006

Ryan Kalil was a 2005 Sports Illustrated All-American, won the USC Trojans' Bob Chandler Award in 2005 and Courage Award in 2004, and was on the watch list for the Lombardi Award.
Kalil was on the official watch list for the Rimington Trophy for the top college football center and the Outland Trophy watch list for the best lineman. He was named to the 2005 and 2006 Pac-10 coaches and Rivals.com All-Pac-10 team First Team.[4] He was a Pro Football Weekly All-American choice and a Rivals.com second-team All American and SI.com honorable mention All-American.
Kalil was voted "lineman of the year" by his Trojans teammates and won the 2006 Morris Trophy. He was invited to play in the Senior Bowl prior to the 2007 NFL Draft.
Ryan has exhibited exemplary qualities on and off the field along and during his USC attendance.

Kieth Rivers2007

Rivers was on the watch list in 2006 for the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Lott Trophy. He was 2006 Rivals.com and coaches first-team all-Pac-10. The All-American selection with 78 tackles, Rivers decided to stay for his senior season.
At the end of the 2007 regular season, Rivers was selected to the All-Pacific-10 Conference first-team for the second year in a row by league coaches.[6] He was also selected to the SI.com All-American First-team.[7] Keith graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy, Management, and Planning. Rivers exhibited exemplary qualities on and off the field as did previous Chandler Scholarship recipients.
Rivers was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals ninth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft and also played for the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.

Kevin Ellison2008

Ellison started for his second season at strong safety as a junior in 2007. Overall in 2007 while appearing in all 13 games, he had 57 tackles, including 8 for losses of 27 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 15 yards), plus 2 interceptions that he returned 9 yards (4.5 avg.), 6 deflections and 2 forced fumbles. He made the 2007 All-Pac-10 first team, ESPN.com All-Pac-10 first team and Phil Steele’s All-Pac-10 second team.

Taylor Mays2009

The hard-hitting, athletically-gifted (4.25 in the 40, 41-inch vertical, 425-pound bench press) Mays, a 2-time All-American first teamer who is a leading candidate for the Thorpe Award, returns for his fourth season as the starting free safety as a senior in 2009. He is on the Watch List for the 2009 Lott Trophy.

Christian Tupou2010

Tupou was set to anchor the line in 2010 as a senior tackle starting for his third year. But he tore ligaments in his left knee in USC's spring game that concluded 2010 spring drills, so he redshirted while sidelined in 2010. He won USC's Courage Award and USC's Co-Lifter of the Year Award.

Robert Woods2011

Just a sophomore, the exciting Woods figures to be one of the premiere wide receivers and returners in the nation for the 2011 season. Woods had a phenomenal showing as a wide receiver and kickoff returner as just a first-year freshman in 2010. Overall in 2010 while starting all 13 games, he had a team-best 65 receptions for 792 yards (12.2 avg.) with 6 TDs, plus he gained 50 yards on 6 carries (8.3 avg.) and returned 38 kickoffs for 971 yards (25.6 avg.) with 1 TD, had a punt return for 4 yards and made a tackle.

Hayes Pullard2012

The steady Pullard, an All-American candidate who could receive Butkus Award consideration, returns for his second year as the starting weakside linebacker as a sophomore in 2012 after a nice debut in 2011 when he was the Trojans’ tackle co-leader.

Randall Telfer2013

The often-used and productive Telfer started all season at tight end as a senior in 2014. Overall in 2014 while appearing in all 13 games (starting all but California), he had 21 receptions for 197 yards (9.4 avg) with 2 TDs. He made 2014 All-Pac-12 honorable mention. He was named USC’s Most Inspirational Player.

Cody Kessler2014

Kessler had a record-setting season in his second year as the starting quarterback as a junior in 2014. Overall in 2014 while starting all 13 games, he completed 315-of-452 passes (69.7%) for 3,826 yards with 39 TDs and just 5 interceptions, plus he had 2 rushing TDs and averaged 33.0 yards on 7 pooch punts.

Chad Wheeler2015

Wheeler started USC’s first 8 games at left offensive tackle as a sophomore in 2014, but he tore ligaments in his right knee at Utah (although he played a full series with the injury) and missed the final 5 games. He won USC’s Bob Chandler Award (athletics/academics/character).

Max Browne2016

"2015: Browne will compete to be the No. 2 quarterback again as a sophomore in 2015.
2014: Browne served as the No. 2 quarterback as a redshirt freshman in 2014. He won USC's Co-Lifter of the Year Award. Overall in 2014 while seeing limited action in 6 games (Fresno State, Oregon State, Colorado, Utah, Washington State, Notre Dame), he completed 3-of-7 passes (42.9%) for 30 yards. He played the entire fourth quarter against Fresno State and went 3-of-4 for 30 yards. He played the final series against Oregon State but did not throw a pass. He played all of the fourth quarter against Colorado but missed on his 2 pass attempts. He threw an incomplete pass at Utah. He played the last 2 series at Washington State but did not throw a pass. He played 4 snaps in the fourth quarter against Notre Dame but did not throw a pass."

Sam Darnold2017

"The precocious Darnold has proven to be among the top quarterbacks in the nation as just a redshirt freshman in 2016. His insertion into the starting lineup in the fourth game of 2016 gave the USC offense a spark as the Trojans won the final 9 games of the season.
He won the 2016 Archie Griffin Award from the Touchdown Club of Columbus (given to the nation’s season-long most valuable player after the bowls), is among 10 finalists for the 2016 Manning Award and was among 18 semifinalists for the O’Brien Award, both awarded to the nation’s top quarterback. He was the 2016 Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and made Campus Insiders Freshman All-American second team and All-Pac-12 honorable mention. He made the 2016 AP All-Bowl Team first team. He won USC’s 2016 Most Inspirational Player Award and Bob Chandler Award"

Deontay Burnett2018

"CAREER: He has 66 catches for 783 yards (11.9 avg) with 4 TDs in his career, along with 31 yards on 3 carries (10.3 avg), 4 punt returns for 26 yards (6.5 avg) and 2 tackles. He has 5 career starts.
2017: Burnett, who opened eyes with his impressive showing throughout 2016, figures to earn a starting wide receiver role as a junior in 2017."

Vavae Malepeai2019

2018: Malepeai figures to be a key contributor at tailback as a sophomore in 2018. 2017: Malepeai saw key action as a backup tailback and on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2017. Overall in 2017 while appearing in 13 games (all but Arizona), he had 49 carries for 261 yards (5.3 avg), 3 receptions for 5 yards (1.7 avg) and 4 tackles. He sprained his knee late at Arizona State and was sidelined against Arizona.

ERIK Krommenhoek2020

"CAREER: He has 15 catches for 139 yards (9.3 avg) in his career. He has appeared in 38 games in his career, with 7 starts. 2019: Krommenhoek saw significant time at tight end and on special teams as a junior in 2019. Overall in 2019 while appearing in all 12 games and starting 4 times (BYU, Notre Dame, Arizona, Arizona State), he had 11 receptions for 122 yards (11.1 avg). He won USC’s Bob Chandler Award. He had a 5-yard catch against Fresno State, a 60-yard reception at BYU, 2 catches for 10 yards at Washington, a career-best 5 receptions for 37 yards at Notre Dame, a 3-yard catch against Oregon and a 7-yard catch at Arizona State (he was slowed in that game with a stinger)."

Jonah Monheim2023

CAREER:  He has appeared in 27 games in his career, with 21 starts (18 games at right tackle and 3 times at right guard).  He has 1 career tackle.

2023: Monheim, a standout on the Trojan offensive, will return as a starter as a redshirt junior in 2023.

2022: Monheim started all 14 games on the offensive line as a redshirt sophomore in 2022. He started 11 times at right tackle and 3 times at right guard. He was named an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention. He helped the Trojan offensive line unit to be selected as a Joe Moore Award Semifinalist. Per PFF, he was the No. 9 graded tackle in the nation in 2022.

2021:  Monheim saw action in all 12 games on the offensive line and on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2021, starting the first 7 contests at right tackle (San Jose State, Stanford, Washington State, Oregon State, Colorado, Utah, Notre Dame).  He had 1 tackle (versus Oregon State).  When he and Courtland Ford both started against San Jose State in 2021, it marked the first time since at least 1984 when complete records are available that USC started freshmen at both tackle spots.

2020:  Monheim appeared in 1 game (seeing significant action against Washington State at right guard) as an offensive lineman as a first-year freshman in 2020.

HIGH SCHOOL:  He made 2019 PrepStar All-American, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area first team and All-Camino League Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior offensive tackle and guard at Moorpark (Calif.) High.  He was a 3-year starter at Moorpark.

PERSONAL:He is majoring in Business Administration at USC with a 3.39 GPA.  He made the 2021 and 2022 Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll.

Zion Branch2024

CAREER: Zion Branch is majoring in Communication at USC. His brother, Zachariah, is currently a sophomore on the USC football team. His great-uncle, Cliff Branch, is a former Raiders wide receiver who was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in August of 2022. Zion and Zachariah created the Branch Out Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth initiatives including homelessness, after-school programs, health and wellness as well as other charitable causes.
Branch looks to return to the field after recovering from injury to compete for playing time at safety as a redshirt sophomore in 2024.