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Antwine Perez

Class: Sophomore Hometown: West Grove, NJ High School: Woodrow Willson

Height / Weight: 6-1 / 190 Position: Safety Birthdate: 04/10/1988

2006: Perez, who graduated a semester early from high school and enrolled at USC in the spring of 2006, will serve as a key backup free safety as a first-year freshman in 2006.

HIGH SCHOOL: He was named a 2005 Parade All-American, USA Today All-USA first team, EA Sports All-American first team, Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Dream Team, ESPN 150, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, Super Prep All-Northeast Defensive MVP, Prep Star All-Eastern, Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year, All-State first team, Philadelphia Inquirer South Jersey Defensive MVP and All-Conference selection as a defensive back and quarterback at Woodrow Wilson High in Camden (N.J.). He had 82 tackles, 10 deflections, 7 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries in 2005, plus threw for 1,700 yards with 14 TDs and ran for 195 yards with 2 TDs.

As a junior in 2004, he recorded 58 tackles, 7 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles, and also passed for 1,763 yards with 15 scores and ran for another 10 TDs.

ANTWINE PEREZ ON: Graduating early from high school to come to USC: "I look back and think about leaving my friends and family back home, but at the same time this was an opportunity for me to do what I want to do. I have big expectations for myself. I expect to come in and compete right away and to contribute any way I can...I plan on making my presence felt and let everyone know who I am. I'm not a big talker, but I want to let everyone know I bring a lot to the table."

The death of his older brother, Louis: "When he passed away when I was 13, it made me work harder to get to where I am today because I want to play for him. Anything can be taken from you anytime. It made me realize that anything can happen, that anything is possible. You have to make the most of your opportunities."