Trojan Update 12/31

WR Steve Smith got the wind knocked out of him during a receiving drill on Friday. He was okay after spending a few minutes with trainers.

WR Whitney Lewis (bruised sternum) returned to practice on Friday.

The Trojans ended yesterday's practice by chanting "We're ready! We're ready! We're ready for y'all!" Then they went bowling in Hollywood.

Recruiting: 5-star WR Vidal Hazelton (6'3", 195, 4.4) of Chatham, VA gave a verbal commitment to USC yesterday. "I can see myself getting a chance to play early at USC," he said. "I know Steve Smith could leave early for the draft, and Dwayne will probably be gone after next season. USC's offense is amazing. They've been putting up great numbers this year and I think I fit in well with what they want to do in the future. USC is where I need to be." Hazelton is a native of Staten Island, NY but is finishing his senior year at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. Both Rivals.com and Scout.com rate Hazelton as the nation's second best WR prospect behind Percy Harvin. "The quarterback situation there is a little better because I think Mark Sanchez is going to be great," Hazelton said. "A wide receiver needs a great quarterback."

Trojan Update 12/30

WR Whitney Lewis bruised his sternum during Wednesday's practice. X-rays were negative. Lewis did not practice on Thursday.

ESPN has been running a segment on how the 2005 USC Trojans would fair against the top 10 teams in college football history. "We can't pay any attention to it, we have a terrific challenge in Texas," DL Frostee Rucker said. "We'll never let stuff like that distract us. We just want to play." But I'm sure Texas is using the series as motivation. "Until somebody beats them," said Texas S Michael Huff. "They deserve all the credit they get."

RB Herschel Dennis said his knee is 100% recovered from the injury that forced him to redshirt this season. He is running and making cuts again and is expected to suit up for spring practice. "I want the competition to come in and keep me on my toes. I want them to bring in the best (RB recruits). I see myself having a great season on a great football team next season."

WR Greig Carlson (groin) ran some light sprints with the team for the first time in more than a month but said he is uncertain if he'll be available to play in the Rose Bowl.

According to the L.A. Daily News, OT Winston Justice is close to selecting an agent to represent him after the season.

LB Keith Rivers said he expects to be at full strength for the Rose Bowl. He is working with the first string defense in practice this week. Rivers had 12-tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery against Notre Dame. He injured his hamstring the next week against Washington and wasn't able to play at full speed the rest of the season. "It's been the most frustrating thing of my college career - to have a big game and not be able to come out and do it again and again," he said. "Hopefully I can pick up where I left off."

LB Thomas Williams (knee) participated in practice yesterday and hopes to play against Texas in the Rose Bowl.

The Texas and USC players visited Disneyland yesterday. A handful of stars including QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush and Texas QB Vince Young met fans at Sleeping Beauty's castle. The crowd began chanting "Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!" "I can't beat it," Young said. "It's the Reggie show." All-American and Thorpe Award winning Texas S Michael Huff is afraid of heights and walked around the park without going on any rides.

ESPN has approached USC about moving it's September 9, 2006 season opener at Arkansas to an earlier date.

Recruiting: 5.0-star WR Vidal Hazelton (6'4", 195, 4.4) of Chatham, VA will announce his choice between Miami, Penn State and USC today on ESPN News at 12:40 pm (PST). The following Trojan recruits plan to announce their college choices during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, TX on January 7th: 4.5-star WR David Ausberry (6'4", 210, 4.4) of Lenmoore, CA, 5.0-star LB Allen Bradford (6'0", 220, 4.5) of Colton, CA, 4.5-star RB Michael Goodson (6'0", 200, 4.4) of Klein, TX, 4.5-star DL Derrick Hill (6'2", 270, 4.7) of Oakland, CA, 4.0-star OL Butch Lewis (6'7", 280, 4.9) of Aurora, CO, 5.0-star RB LeSean McCoy (5'11", 200, 4.4) of Harrisburg, PA, and 5.0-star RB DeMarco Murray (6'0", 185, 4.4) of Las Vegas, NV.

Trojan Update 12/29

Coach Carroll agreed to a contract extension with USC yesterday putting an end to rumors that he might take an NFL job next season. "I haven't been anywhere five years before. I've been a mercenary coach my whole life. I've talked with (Athletic Director) Mike (Garrett). We're in great shape for the future. USC gave me an opportunity to be here a long time." The length and financial details of the new agreement were not disclosed. Coach Carroll's initial contract was a five year deal worth about $1 million per season. USC gave him a raise after the 2002 season and Carroll made a reported $2 million in 2004. Scott Wolf of the L.A. Daily News wrote "...Carroll agreed to a five year contract extension that will be worth about $3 million per season."

When asked about the difference between preparation for this year's Rose Bowl and last year's Orange Bowl, Coach Carroll said "The buzz is just a little different. I know the kids can sense it. It just feels a step, a notch, bigger to us all."

The Trojans practice this morning and join the Longhorns at Disney's California Adventure this afternoon.

Coach Carroll said the team is the healthest its been since the start of the season. WR Patrick Turner and LB Keith Rivers have recovered from hamstring injuries and are practicing again. LB Thomas Williams (knee) will practice today. WR Greig Carlson (groin) will try to practice in the next few days.

From one of this site's readers: The L.A. Times is giving away Rose Bowl tickets... check it out here: http://www.latimes.com/teamspirit/

Trojan Update 12/28

Schedule: The Trojans will practice on Howard Jones Field December 28th - January 2nd and conduct a walk-through on January 3rd. Beginning on January 29th the team will stay at the Park Hyatt in Century City. The team's media headquarters is the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Texas arrives on December 29th and is staying at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel. The Longhorns are practicing at the Home Depot Center. Both teams will visit Disney's California Adventure on December 29th. Team photos will be taken on January 3rd before walk-throughs at the Rose Bowl.

WR Whitney Lewis denied rumors that he is considering transferring to Montana State yesterday. "That's just random stuff, I'm a Trojan for life," he said.

True freshman LB Brian Cushing will start at SLB in the Rose Bowl. "It's crazy," he said. "I mean, there are certain schools I was looking at that I knew I wouldn't be playing in the national championship game, never mind starting."

Recruiting: 5.0-star WR Vidal Hazelton (6'4", 195, 4.4) of Chatham, VA will commit to Miami, Penn State or USC on Friday at 12:40 pm (PST) on ESPN News. "I don't really care much about competition because that will be everywhere and I want to earn my chance. I want to win a national championship and all three teams can do that, so it will just come down to a gut feeling and where I feel good at," he said. 4.5-star CB Jai Eugene (5'11", 185, 4.4) of Destrehan, LA has officially crossed the Trojans off his list of possibilities. Eugene, considered the nation's top DB by some recruiting services, is down to Florida, LSU, Miami and Michigan. Trojan commits S Taylor Mays (6'3", 220, 4.4) of Seattle, WA and S Antwine Perez (6'2", 200, 4.5) of Camden, NJ were selected to USA Today's 1st Team All-USA defense. USC is still recruiting DT Gerald McCoy (6'4", 290, 4.9) of Oklahoma City, OK (named USA Today's Defensive player-of-the-year), LB Allen Bradford (6'0", 220, 4.5) of Colton, CA (1st team selection), S Jonas Mouton (6'2", 210, 4.6) of Venice, CA (1st team selection), and OL/DL Butch Lewis (6'7", 290, 4.9) of Aurora, CO (2nd team defensive selection/although USC is recruiting him as an OL). On the offensive side of the ball, the Trojans are still recruiting RB C.J. Spiller (5'10", 185, 4.4) of Lake Butler, FL (1st team selection), OL Sam Young (6'7", 280, 5.0) of Fort Lauderdale, FL (1st team selection), OL Andre Smith (6'4", 320, 5.0) of Birmingham, AL (1st team selection), WR David Ausberry (6'4", 210, 4.4) of Lenmoore, CA (1st team selection), RB Stafon Johnson (6'0", 205, 4.4) of Los Angeles, CA (2nd team selection), RB Micheal Goodson (6'0", 200, 4.4) of Klein, TX (2nd team selection), and OL Steve Schilling (6'5", 285, 4.9) of Bellevue, WA (2nd team selection). The 2nd team All-USA QB was high school junior Jimmy Clausen (6'2", 195) of Westlake Village, CA (just one of two juniors selected to the team). Clausen is likely to be the nation's top recruit in 2006.

Trojan Update 12/27

Recruiting: JUCO WR Mike Bolio (6'0", 195, 4.4) of Los Angeles Harbor College committed to USC in 2005 but didn't qualify academically. Bolio recently committed to Marshall for the 2006 season.

Trojan Update 12/26

Sorry I was gone last week... hope you all had a great Christmas! Forgive me if you've already read some of this stuff...

This was from Jean Scheidnes of the Austin-American Statesman: "Can we just get it out there and say it? The USC uniform is pug ugly! The Trojans' combo of dried blood and mustard (or whatever they call that yellow), with the what the heck is that insignia helmet, is just a fashion felony."

RB Reggie Bush and QB Matt Leinart grace the cover of Sports Illustrated's "The Best of 2005" issue on newstands now.

WR Patrick Turner excelled during last Friday's workout according to coaches.

USC players received new XBox 360's from the Rose Bowl committee.

Recruiting: 4.5-star RB Emmanuel Moody (6'0", 190, 4.4) of Coppell, TX plans to announce his commitment to either Miami or USC this week. Moody had originally committed to Texas but changed his mind after recruiting visits to the Hurricanes and Trojans. 5.0-star WR Percy Harvin committed to Florida last week, so the Trojan coaching staff is now targeting 4.0-star WR Jamere Holland (6'1", 180, 4.4) of Woodland Hills, CA. Holland could play WR or CB.

Harvin Set To Announce

5-star WR prospect Percy Harvin (6'0", 185, 4.3) of Virginia Beach, VA will make his verbal commitment to either Florida or USC on Monday.

Big Recruiting Weekend

The Trojans host the following recruits this weekend (expect a few verbal commitments next week):
5.0-star OL Sam Young (6'7", 280, 5.0) of Fort Lauderdale, FL
5.0-star S Taylor Mays (6'3", 220, 4.4) of Seattle, WA (Mays has committed to USC)
5.0-star OL Steve Schilling (6'5", 285, 4.9) of Bellevue, WA
4.5-star CB Jai Eugene (5'11", 185, 4.4) of Destrahan, LA
4.5-star RB C.J. Gable (6'0", 185, 4.5) of Sylmar, CA
4.5-star DT Derrick Hill (6'2", 270, 4.7) of Oakland, CA
4.0-star TE Anthony McCoy (6'4", 230, 4.5) of Fresno, CA (McCoy has committed to USC)
4.0-star RB/FB Stanley Havili (6'1", 215, 4.5) of Salt Lake City, UT
4.0-star DE Alex Parsons (6'5", 260, 4.8) of Irvine, CA
3.5-star WR/DB Travon Patterson (5'9", 165, 4.4) of Long Beach, CA

Trojan Update 12/16

I will be out-of-town until December 26th, so there won't be any updates to the blog during that time.

The Trojans conducted conditioning drills with strength coaches on Thursday at Cromwell Field. USC begins practicing for the Rose Bowl game against Texas today.

The NCAA Clearinghouse approved the ACT score of DE Walker Lee Ashley on Thursday which clears him to begin classes in January and participate in spring drills.

Recruiting: The Trojans lost two recruits yesterday, 5-star JUCO DE Louis Holmes of Scottsdale Community College (AZ) to Arizona and 4.5-star prep TE Konrad Reuland of Mission Viejo (CA) to Notre Dame. The L.A. Daily News reported that in addition to their seven verbal commitments, the Trojans have "several" commitments from players who want to wait to make their public announcements.

Trojan Update 12/15

If you've heard the false story that QB Matt Leinart "groped" a young lady from Texas at the Manhattan night club the Marquee after the Heisman presentation and that she slapped him, please go to this blog and read Alexis Jones' first hand account of that night: http://uscfootballblog.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to the 10 Trojans that made All-American lists this year: QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush, RB LenDale White, WR Dwayne Jarrett, C Ryan Kalil, OG Taitusi Lutui, OG Fred Matua, OT Sam Baker, DE Lawrence Jackson and S Darnell Bing. I am disappointed that DE Frostee Rucker was not listed as at least an honorable mention.

USC is considering playing Idaho in the 2007 home opener. Why lowly Idaho? The Vandals are coached by former USC assistant Nick Holt who is a close friend of Coach Carroll. The other two non-conference games in 2007 are At Nebraska and At Notre Dame. Idaho is a member of the Western Athletic Conference. They finished 2-9 this year. USC played WAC members: Fresno State in 2005, Hawaii in 1999, 2003 & 2005, San Jose State in 2000 & 2001 and Louisiana Tech in 1999.

Recruting: 4.5-star TE prospect Konrad Reuland of Mission Viejo (a former teammate of QB Mark Sanchez) is expected to commit to either Notre Dame or USC today. ESPN.com reported that the top JUCO prospect in the nation, 5-star DE Louis Holmes (6'6", 270, 4.6) of Scottsdale Community College (AZ), will verbally commit to Arizona at a scheduled press conference this afternoon. Holmes was considered a lock for USC as early as last week but a trip to visit Mike Stoops at U of A this weekend appears to have changed his mind. 5-star JUCO DT Gabe Long, who committed to USC last fall but failed to qualify academically, also gave a verbal commitment to the Wildcats this week.

December Recruiting Update

Here's my latest take on the current status of USC recruiting:

1) Running Back - we need to sign at least two RB's with the imminent departure of Reggie Bush and possibly LenDale White to the NFL. Herschel Dennis and Desmond Reed are coming off bad knee injuries and Chauncey Washington has been academically ineligible for two straight seasons. Michael Coleman has also been hampered by a nagging hip injury and may eventually end up being converted to FB or even QB (a position he played in high school). Stafon Johnson of Los Angeles, CA is the top prospect on the wish list. He would compete for playing time at RB right away. Next on the list is C.J. Gable of Sylmar, CA. A 1-2 punch of Johnson and Gable would be just what the doctor ordered to replace Bush and White and keep the top RB prospects on the west coast away from rival UCLA. The Trojans are also in the running for several of the nation's top RB prospects - LeSean McCoy of Harrisburg, PA, DeMarco Murray of Las Vegas, NV, C.J. Spiller of Lake Butler, FL, Michael Goodson of Klein, TX and Emmanuel Moody of Coppel, TX. All seven have USC listed at the top or near the top of their list. It will be interesting to see who commits first and if that creates a domino effect.

2) Safety - with Scott Ware graduating and Darnell Bing contemplating turning pro, injured Kevin Ellison and Mr. Versatility Josh Pinkard could be the starting safeties in 2006. The Ting twins played a lot in 2005 and will provide depth in 2006. The Trojans got the top two safety prospects on their wish list in Taylor Mays of Seattle, WA and Antwine Perez of Camden, NJ. Both have verbally committed to USC. Perez graduates from high school this month, starts classes at USC in January, and will join the Trojans in time for spring practice! That means that he will compete for playing time right away. Recruiting analysts are comparing Perez to former Trojan S Ronnie Lott while Mays reminds them of current Trojan S Darnell Bing. Jonas Mouton of Venice, CA was next on the list but with Mays and Perez heading to Troy, Mouton may sign with LSU, Michigan or Nebraska.

3) Quarterback - we are in dire need of some depth at the QB position. John David Booty and Mark Sanchez will compete for the starting job in 2006 with Michael McDonald lower on the depth chart. The nation's top QB's have committed to other schools already. Garrett Green of Sherman Oaks, CA and Kevin Harrington of Simi Valley, CA are mid-level prospects that are still available and could provide depth.

4) Defensive Tackle - LaJuan Ramsey is graduating. Sedrick Ellis is back along with Travis Tofi and Fili Moala. Lawrence Miles and Travis Draper add some depth. Averell Spicer redshirted in 2005 and will be ready to play in 2006. Walker Lee Ashley of Eden Prairie, MN failed to qualify academically in 2005 but is expected to be at USC in time for spring practice. 5-star JUCO Gabe Long of Fullerton, CA committed to USC last fall but continuing academic problems cost him a spot on the Trojans roster. If Long is eligible to play in 2006 it will be as an Arizona Wildcat. Derek Hill of Oakland, CA is a top priority for the Trojan coaching staff but right now Hill appears to be leaning towards the Golden Bears of California. Trojan commit Derek Simmons of Fairfield, CA could play DE or DT but will likely redshirt next year. One of the nation's top DT prospects, Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma City, OK took official visits to LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, USC and Virginia Tech, but I suspect he will stay at home as a Sooner. The Trojan coaching staff has also shown late interest in Aleric Mullins of Wendell, NC. Mullins is considering offers from North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

5) Defensive End - Frostee Rucker graduates. Lawrence Jackson is expected back and is likely to be an All-American candidate. Jeff Schweiger will take Rucker's spot but has been injury prone. Kyle Moore had a solid freshman campaign and should be much improved in 2006. Rashaad Goodrum and Chris Barrett will provide depth. Alex Morrow rounds out the depth chart. At the top of the recruiting list at DE is JUCO Louis Holmes of Scottsdale, AZ. Holmes played high school football in Fort Lauderdale, FL and signed with Ohio State. After failing to qualify he spent a year at a prep school in Maine before transferring to a junior college in Arizona. Holmes has USC at the top of his list but is still considering offers from Arizona and LSU. He also has offers from Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma and Tennessee but doesn't seem as interested in those schools. Alex Parsons of Anaheim, CA had USC as his early leader but now has the Trojans listed as even with Arizona and UCLA.

6) Punter - Tom Malone is graduating. The Trojans still haven't offered a scholarship to a prospect at this position yet. This could be a sign that Coach Carroll is confident in the abilities of current back-up P Taylor Odegard. The two P's that are under consideration are Kyle Peterson of Covina, CA and Matt Reagan of Knoxville, TN. Peterson has offers from Duke, Fresno State and UTEP but would like to be a Trojan. Reagan is likely to stay at home and attend Tennessee.

7) Cornerback - Justin Wyatt and John Walker graduate. Terrell Thomas should be recovered from knee surgery in time to compete for a starting job. Josh Pinkard will likely move back over to safety. Mozique McCurtis, Will Harris, Kevin Thomas and Cary Harris will also compete for starting jobs. Jai Eugene of Destrahan, LA is listed as the nation's top CB prospect by many recruiting services. He is considering Florida, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Tennessee and USC. The Trojans appear to be going down to the wire with Ohio State for the services of Ray Small of Glenville, OH (Ted Ginn's high school). Shareece Wright of Colton, CA needs to pass his ACT before the Trojan coaches will offer him a scholarship. Wright wants to be a Trojan. It's possible that the Trojans don't sign a CB in this recruiting class!

8) Fullback - Brandon Hancock will take over the starting FB job from graduating David Kirtman. Jody Adewale will be the back-up. The Trojans could convert WR Whitney Lewis (who played FB in 2003), RB Michael Coleman or even S Kevin Ellison to FB. The top FB in the west, Chane Moline, is a solid commit for UCLA. USC is making a late run at Stanley Havili of Salt Lake City, UT who is also considering Arizona State, Boise State, BYU, California, Iowa and Oregon.

9) Tight End - Dominique Byrd graduates. Fred Davis, Dale Thompson, Jimmy Miller and Nick Vanderboom will compete for the starting TE position. Charles Brown redshirted in 2005 but will be ready to compete in 2006. Konrad Reuland of Mission Viejo, CA is the top TE prospect on the west coast. Reuland is considering Miami, Nebraska, Notre Dame, UCLA and USC (but may be leaning towards the Irish). USC has a verbal commitment from JUCO Gerald Washington of Rancho Cucamonga, CA. The Trojans also have a verbal commitment from Anthony McCoy of Fresno, CA, but McCoy could play DE or WR at USC.

10) Linebacker - If the linebacking corps can stay healthy in 2006 it will be the best in the nation. Collin Ashton graduates but Dallas Sartz will be back after taking a medical redshirt. Keith Rivers will be an All-American candidate. Oscar Lua, Thomas Williams, Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga, Kaluka Maiava, Clay Matthews and Ryan Powdrell got plenty of experience in 2005. Star recruit Luthur Brown took a medical redshirt but should be ready to contribute this spring. Allen Bradford of Colton, CA is Coach Carroll's top recruiting priority at any position. It's down to UCLA and USC for Bradford, who plans to announce his choice on January 7th at the Army High School All-American Game. Rumor has it that Bradford's dad wants him to go to UCLA. Highly regarded Joshua Tatum of Oakland, CA committed to USC this week. The Trojans are also in the running for A.J. Jones of Tampa, FL, Mike Morgan of Dallas, TX, Marcus Sims of Tallahassee, FL, Jonathan Cornell of La Puente, CA and JUCO Anthony Atkins of Compton, CA.

11) Offensive Line - The Trojan OL should be solid in 2006 if OG Fred Matua and OT Winston Justice don't turn pro early. OG Taitusi Lutui graduates but Matua, Justice, C Ryan Kalil and OT Sam Baker will be All-American candidates. OG's Jeff Byers and Drew Radovich will be back from injuries and will compete with Chilo Rachal for Lutui's vacated starting spot. OT's Kyle Williams and Alatini Malu provide experienced depth. Thomas Herring, Nick Howell and Matt Spanos round out the depth chart. The top OL on the west coast is Steve Schilling of Bellevue, WA. Schilling has narrowed his list to California, Michigan, USC and Washington (but is leaning towards staying close to home with the Huskies). The Trojans have a verbal commitment from Zach Heberer of San Pedro, CA. USC is still in the running for several of the nation's top OL prospects: Andre Smith of Birmingham, AL, Sam Young of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Butch Lewis of Aurora, CO.

12) Receiver - The receiving corps is the best in the nation with Steve Smith, Dwayne Jarrett, Patrick Turner, Chris McFoy and Whitney Lewis returning. Percy Harvin of Virginia Beach, VA is considered to be this year's Reggie Bush/Ted Ginn/Derrick Williams type impact player. Harvin has legit 4.3 second 40-yard dash speed and would line-up at multiple positions for USC (receiver, running back, kick/punt return specialist). Many recruiting services list Harvin as the nation's top prospect at any position. USC is competing with Florida and Florida State for Harvin's talents. At 5'9" Travon Patterson of Long Beach Poly H.S. could play flanker or cornerback for USC. The coaching staff loves 6'4" David Ausberry of Lenmoore, CA but it appears that Ausberry doesn't want to sit on the bench behind Jarrett, Smith and Turner. He lists USC as being even with Georgia and Ohio State currently. The Trojans are also working on top prospect Vidal Hazelton of Chatham, VA. JUCO Mike Bolio of Torrance, CA still wants to play for USC if he can clear up his academic situation.

Trojan Update 12/14

The annual football awards banquet was held last night at the Beverly Hilton. Heisman winning RB Marcus Allen served as master of ceremonies. Coach Carroll teased QB Matt Leinart saying the senior quarterback threw the ball "all over the world" against UCLA. When asked about recent comments from the Texas Longhorns regarding the Rose Bowl, Coach Carroll said "They talk like they ain't been here before." RB Reggie Bush won the team MVP award for the second straight season. QB Mark Sanchez was named the Service Team Offensive Player-of-the-Year and LB Kaluka Maiava was named the Service Team Defensive Player-of-the-Year. Maiava was also a Co-Special Teams Player-of-the-Year along with PK Mario Danelo. DE Frostee Rucker and OG Taitusi Lutui were named the Most Inspirational Players. Lutui was also named Offensive Lineman of the Year. Bush, Lutui and OT Sam Baker were Co-Lifters of the Year. Other award winners included DE Lawrence Jackson (Defensive Lineman of the Year), FB Brandon Hancock (highest GPA), C Ryan Kalil (underclassman with outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement and character), LB Rey Maualuga (underclassman with the most competitive spirit) and S Scott Ware (courage award).

Seven Trojans were named to the Associated Press All-America Team: RB Reggie Bush (1st team), WR Dwayne Jarrett (1st team), S Darnell Bing (1st team), QB Matt Leinart (2nd team), OG Taitusi Lutui (2nd team), RB LenDale White (3rd team), OT Sam Baker (3rd team).

Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin is being mentioned as a candidate for the vacant Colorado Head Coaching position. "I haven't been contacted or heard from anyone," Kiffin said yesterday. CU has already interviewed Boise State Head Coach Dan Hawkins and UCLA Assistant Coach Jon Embree.

Incoming DT Walker Lee Ashley's enrollment at USC is once again being held up. The NCAA Clearinghouse still needs to register a test score that Ashley completed this fall.

Recruiting: The Trojans top target at QB, Tim Tebow (6'3", 220, 4.6) of St. Augustine, FL, committed to the Florida Gators yesterday (over Alabama, LSU, Michigan and USC). He was considered a long shot for the Trojans. The Gators freshman QB Josh Portis (from Woodland Hills Taft High School in California) has decided to transfer after serving as Chris Leak's back-up this season. Portis cited lack of playing time this year but was likely worried that he would lose the starting job to Tebow in 2007.

Trojan Update 12/13

Coach Carroll denied published reports that he is seeking an NFL coaching job. A report on ESPN this weekend said that Coach Carroll's representatives were sending out feelers for NFL jobs that would give him control of football operations and $6 million per year. "There's no truth to the story," Coach Carroll said. "I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'm not interested in the NFL."

RB Reggie Bush delivered the "Top Ten Perks of Winning the Heisman Trophy" last night on David Letterman. #5 is my favorite! 10) The trophy can be used as ID at airports. 9) Now when coach gives me pointers I can say "And how many Heismans have you won?" 8) Lifetime supply of pigskin. 7) Microchip in the trophy gets me through E-Z pass. 6) The trophy holds 10,000 songs. 5) Now maybe someone on the team will get a date besides pretty boy Matt Leinart. 4) Steinbrenner's trying to get me to sign with the Yankees. 3) I now have the world's most valuable paperweight. 2) Secret code for Madden NFL 2006 video game that lets me see John Madden naked. 1) I'm the only Bush with an approval rating over 40%.

Rivals.com announced it's All-America Team this week and here are the Trojans that made the cut: RB Reggie Bush (1st team), OG Taitusi Lutui (1st team), S Darnell Bing (1st team), QB Matt Leinart (2nd team), RB LenDale White (2nd team), WR Dwayne Jarrett (2nd team), OG Fred Matua (2nd team), OT Sam Baker (3rd team) and DE Lawrence Jackson (3rd team).

The Trojans have their annual awards banquet tonight in Los Angeles.

Recruiting: 4.5-star LB Josua Tatum (6'1", 220, 4.4) of Oakland, CA gave a verbal commitment to USC yesterday afternoon on ESPNU. "I gave my full commitment to the Trojans this afternoon," Tatum said. "I feel great about the program and the school's academics. They have amazing tradition. The academics are very competitive and they have a great business program - which is what I want to major in. I also have family in southern California. My uncle got his PhD in business/economics at USC and my aunt went there too. My number two school was Miami, then came Tennessee. But I knew in my heart that I was going to USC when I visited them for the UCLA game. That was when I first got to love the players - the Ting brothers, my host Ryan Powdrell, Chris McFoy and Thomas Williams. Their preparation for games is the best bar none. Those coaches really make it fun, more so than anywhere else. My leg is coming along fine (he had surgery to repair his ACL on October 2nd). I'll be cleared to play football by April. The coaches want me to play weakside linebacker."

Trojan Update 12/12

RB Reggie Bush will read the top 10 list on tonight's "The Late Show With David Letterman." Bush, QB Matt Leinart and RB LenDale White celebrated Reggie's Heisman victory at the trendy nightclub 'Marquee' in Manhattan (the same place they celebrated Leinart's Heisman win last year).

Although invited to join Bush and Leinart at the Marquee, Texas QB Vince Young declined. Last year Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson and Utah QB Alex Smith joined Bush and Leinart after the Heisman ceremony. Young said he was "emotionally upset" about not winning the Heisman. "I'm disappointed for my fans, especially for my teammates and my family for not representing them in the right way," Young told reporters at the post-ceremony news conference. "I feel like I let my guys down, let my family down, let the cities of Austin and Houston down."

OG Fred Matua missed Sunday's practice because his mother was ill.

Coach Carroll says he expects WR Patrick Turner (hamstring) and LB Keith Rivers (hamstring) to begin practicing with the team next week.

The team is off until Friday to focus on final exams this week.

Trivia: TE Dominique Byrd is the only player in college football history to catch passes from two Heisman Trophy winners and block for another (former USC QB Carson Palmer, Leinart and Bush). "Wow, that's crazy," Byrd said. "I didn't realize that. It's just been a blessing to be part of something so great."

S Darnell Bing delivered a message to his friend and former Long Beach Poly H.S. teammate Marcedes Lewis (UCLA's award winning TE): "Hopefully he realizes he should have come with us (RB Herschel Dennis, OT Winston Justice and DT Manuel Wright also graduated from LB Poly in 2002) the rest of the Fab 5." Lewis lost to the Trojans in all four of his seasons at UCLA.

Recruiting: 4.0-star TE Anthony McCoy (6'4", 230, 4.5) of Fresno, CA verbally committed to USC. "I'm a Trojan," he said. "Coach Seto came by my place last week for an in-home visit and we had dinner, talked and watched highlight films. After that we started talking about what I wanted to do and that's when I came out with the commitment. I always wanted to go to USC and I got tired of stalling. It was time." McCoy chose USC over California, Fresno State, Nebraska and Washington State.

Trojan Update 12/11

RB Reggie Bush won the 71st Heisman Trophy yesterday at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City. QB Matt Leinart finished third in the Heisman voting. The entire Trojan coaching staff plans to fly to New York to celebrate with Bush and Leinart Monday night. Most of the first string offense, along with RB LenDale White, was in the audience. Bush is the seventh Trojan to win the award. USC is now tied with Notre Dame for the most Heisman's at a single school.

Saturday was the first day of practice in preparation for the Rose Bowl game against Texas. With most of the first string offense in New York for the Heisman presentation, John David Booty and Mark Sanchez began their competition to win the starting QB job for 2006. "It feels good to get out here and get a chance to compete," Booty said. "This is the time we check out some guys and move people around and get a look into what spring football's going to be like," Coach Carroll said. "The coaches let us know that this is the way it's going to be in spring and it's projecting what next year is going to be like," Sanchez said. "You've got to value every rep. THat's the way it's got to be, now more than ever."

A sign that S Darnell Bing may return to USC (and not turn pro)? Bing was working at RB during yesterday's practice. "This was just a fun little experience," Bing said. He was considered a top recruit at both RB and DB out of high school. "We need to recruit a big running back and they're hard to find," Coach Carroll said. "If we needed to, Darnell would be an option (at RB) for us next year." Bing had practiced at RB for the Trojans during his freshman season.

Back-up OG Chilo Rachal suffered a neck stinger during yesterday's practice.

LB Keith Rivers (hamstring) said he hopes to return to practice next week.

Recruiting: The Trojans are making a late run at 4.0-star RB Stanley Havili (6'1", 215, 4.5) of Salt Lake City, UT. Havili is considered the top "big back" prospect on the west coast. He is also considering Arizona State, Boise State, BYU, California, Iowa and Oregon.

Trojan Update 12/9

RB Reggie Bush won the Walter Camp Football Foundation's Player-of-the-Year Award and the Doak Walker Award (awarded to the nation's top running back). Bush is the 39th recipient of the Walter Camp award and the fifth Trojan to receive the honor (along with RB O.J. Simpson in 1967 & 1968, RB Charles White in 1979, RB Marcus Allen in 1981 and QB Matt Leinart in 2004). Bush is the 15th recipient of the Doak Walker Award and the first Trojan to win the award. Bush was also named Offensive Player-of-the-Year by the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. Bush will appear on the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Monday night and read the top 10 list if he wins the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night.

Bush and OG Taitusi Lutui were selected for ESPN.com's All-American Team. Bush, Leinart and WR Dwayne Jarrett were selected for the Walter Camp Football Foundation's All-American Team. Jarrett, who was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (top wide receiver) and Lutui cancelled their trips to Orlando, FL for the ESPN College Football Awards Ceremony in order to concentrate on upcoming final examinations.

The turf was replaced on one of USC's two practice fields on Thursday. There were problems earlier in the season when some of the practice turf was replaced causing the Trojans to practice on the FieldTurf surface of Cromwell Field.

Recruiting: 5-star LB Allen Bradford (6'0", 220, 4.5) of Colton, CA has narrowed his list of possibilities down to UCLA or USC (eliminating California and Oregon). Bradford plans to make his decision public during the Army High School All-American Bowl in San Antonio, TX on January 7th. 5-star RB LeSean McCoy (5'11", 200, 4.4) of Harrisburg, PA, who was once rumored to be very close to verbally committing to USC, seems to be leaning towards Penn State now. Coach Carroll, Defensive Line Coach Jethro Franklin and Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin visited 4.5-star LB Mike Morgan (6'2", 185, 4.5) of Dallas, TX this week. Morgan plans to make his decision between Oklahoma, Texas A&M and USC on signing day.

Trojan Update 12/8

QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush and Texas QB Vince Young were the only players asked to attend Saturday's Heisman Trophy Presentation. From 1999-2004, four to five players attended the presentation as finalists. According to the L.A. Daily News, a leading authority that studies the Heisman results says that Bush will win in a landslide. Kari Chisholm, a political consultant who analyzes Heisman results, has correctly projected the winner the past three years by polling Heisman voters. Chisolm said Bush will receive over 90% of the first-place votes while Young will receive about 10% of the first-place votes. "I'm surprised how many voters from the Southwest region are voting for Reggie Bush," Chisolm said. "Bush has 89 points and Young 55 points in the Southwest. Reggie Bush will win every region." According to Chisolm, Leinart (who as last year's winner has a vote of his own) voted Bush first, RB LenDale White second and WR Dwayne Jarrett third. "Sure it would have been cool to have won another Heisman," said Leinart. "But it's not like they're taking away the one I won. We all know, or at least we're fairly sure what's going to happen (on Saturday). I'm happy for Reggie and I want to be there next to him when he wins it. I'll get to have a great time in New York without a lot of the pressure and nervousness I felt last year."

WR Patrick Turner (hamstring) was cleared to practice this weekend. The is no word yet on whether LB Keith Rivers (hamstring) and LB Thomas Williams (knee) will be able to practice prior to the Rose Bowl. I suspect Rivers will be ready to start while Williams will serve as a back-up if his knee is ready.

Trojan Update 12/7

RB Reggie Bush, WR Dwayne Jarrett and OG Taitusi Lutui were named to Sports Illustrated's 2005 All-American Team. QB Matt Leinart and C Ryan Kalil were on SI's second team while OT Sam Baker and S Darnell Bing were honorable mentions.

PK Mario Danelo set NCAA season records for extra points made (78) and attempted (81).

Recruiting: Coach Carroll was in Houston, TX yesterday visiting 4.5-star RB Michael Goodson (6'0", 200, 4.5). Goodson verbally committed to Oklahoma State but visited USC last weekend for the Crosstown Rivalry.

Trojan Update 12/6

Texas QB Vince Young is campaigning for the Hesiman Trophy. "I think my chances are real high if they watch the game, how I'm a leader for my teammates," he said. "I hope they will see that the numbers that I put up were basically in the first half. In the second half I'm basically on the bench. If I played a full game I would have some more stats. Coach Brown, he don't like to blow out people, so he pulled all our starters. If they're just looking for the big, big highlights, then you got Bush winning." Young also said that if Bush wins the Heisman it will motivate him "...to go out there and show the world they made the wrong decision."

Assistant Head Coach Steve Sarkisian said he wants to pick the new starting QB by the end of spring practice and not have the competition run into fall training camp. "Ultimately, especially at that position, you need to develop a leader," he said. "I'm not one for playing musical chairs at that position. We'd like to go into summer with a leader. You like to know who's going to be the guy throwing to everyone during the summer." In spring 2003 the QB competition was a three man race between Matt Cassel, Matt Leinart and Brandon Hance. Hance had started a number of games for Purdue before transferring to USC. Cassel had seen playing time as Carson Palmer's back-up. Leinart had never thrown a pass in a college game. Leinart emerged as the starting QB by the end of spring practice that year. Going into 2005 the QB competition is a two man race between redshirt junior John David Booty and redshirt freshman Mark Sanchez. Booty skipped his senior year of high school to join the Trojans in 2003. He would likely have been the nation's top recruit in 2004 had he stayed in high school one more year. Booty quickly impressed the Trojan coaching staff and moved ahead of Cassel and Hance as a true freshman during the 2003 season, becoming Leinart's back-up. He then redshirted in 2004 due to injury and again served as Leinart's back-up this season. After seeing action in 14 games during the 2003 and 2005 seasons, Booty is 34-of-56 passing (60.7% completion percentage) for 417 yards, 3 TD's and 2 INT's. But don't expect Coach Carroll to hand Booty the starting QB job. Leinart was the least experienced of the QB's in spring 2003 and he won the job on the practice field. Booty will have to beat out talented reshirt freshman Mark Sanchez, who was one of the nation's top recruits in 2005.

Recruiting: Coach Carroll and Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin are on the road recruiting in Arizona, Florida and Texas this week. One of the Trojans' top targets, 4.0-star DT Brandon Antwine (6'1", 270, 4.9) of Garland, TX, committed to Florida yesterday. Luckily the Trojans will get some much needed depth at DT from 2005 4.0-star DT Walker Ashley (6'5", 295, 4.9) of Eden Prairie, MN who will participate in spring practice after failing to qualify in time to play this fall. The Trojan coaching staff will now focus their attention on 5.0-star DT Gerald McCoy (6'4", 290, 4.9) of Oklahoma City, OK and 4.5-star DT Derek Hill (6'2", 270, 4.7) of Oakland, CA. 4.5-star LB Joshua Tatum (6'1", 220, 4.5) of Oakland, CA said (after his visit to USC this weekend) he currently ranks his choices - 1) USC, 2) Miami, 3) Tennessee.

Trojan Update 12/5

QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush, WR Dwayne Jarrett and OG Taitusi Lutui depart Wednesday for Orlando, FL where they will take part in ESPN's College Football Awards Show on Thursday evening. Leinart will then fly to Louisville, KY on Friday where he will accept the Johnny Unitas Award. Invitations to the Heisman Trophy Presentation will be issued this Wednesday. Bush and Leinart will undoubtedly travel to New York for Saturday's Heisman presentation.

The USC coaching staff will be on the road recruiting this week. Coach Carroll also plans to talk to juniors that are considering entering the NFL Draft early this week (Bush, RB LenDale White, WR Steve Smith, OT Winston Justice, OG Fred Matua, S Darnell Bing and DE Lawrence Jackson). Coach Carroll said that the juniors should stay in school, although he conceded there are some rare exceptions and that Bush may be an exception.

The Trojans begin practicing for the Rose Bowl game against Texas on Saturday (without Leinart and Bush).

After Saturday's game, RB Reggie Bush's stepfather, LaMar Griffin, said that Bush has proven himself and is ready to turn pro. "I talked to him about that," Bush said. "I haven't made any decision. I told him that for him to say that was really putting me out there, just putting me kind of with my back to the wall. So I told him 'If I haven't made a decision yet you shouldn't be out there telling people what I'm going to do or what you think I'm going to do.'" Bush gained 554 yards on 47 carries (11.8 yards per carry average) in the final two games of the regular season.

Recruiting: 4.5-star DT Derrick Hill (6'2", 270, 4.7) of Oakland, CA and 4.0-star DT Aleric Mullins (6'3", 290, 4.8) of Wendell, NC were unable to attend the UCLA-USC game this past weekend and have rescheduled their recruiting visits to USC for January.

Trojan Update 12/2

The L.A. Times reported that tickets for Saturday's UCLA-USC game are selling for an average of $352 (the cheapest reported price is $120 and the most expensive is $2,500)! Los Angeles ticket brokers said they have never seen such interest in the rivalry. Dentist Michael Schneider placed an internet advertisement proposing to swap free laser bleachings in exchange for game tickets but he says no one wants to part with their tickets.

QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush, WR Dwayne Jarrett and OG Taitusi Lutui were named as part of the American Football Coaches Association All-American Team on Thursday.

The seniors ran through a human tunnel formed by their teammates to conclude Thursday's practice.

RB LenDale White (shoulder) practiced without contact on Thursday and will play on Saturday. "I'm ready to go," he said.

Redshirt junior OG Fred Matua is reportedly thinking about entering the NFL Draft after this season. Matua is on schedule to graduate in May.

4.0-star DT Walker Lee Ashley (6'5", 295, 4.9) of Eden Prarie, MN announced that he has enrolled at USC and will begin classes on January 8th. After signing with the Trojans out of high school last February, Ashley failed to receive academic clearance from the NCAA. During the spring Ashley said he would enroll and play football at the University of Minnesota, but recently had a change of heart and decided to enroll at USC in time to participate in spring football drills.

Recruiting: 4.0-star DT Aleric Mullins (6'3", 290, 4.8) of Wendell, NC received a recent phone call from Trojan coaches and it appears that Mullins accepted an invitation to conduct an official visit to USC this weekend. Mullins is considering Auburn, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Mullins will be on the sidelines Saturday along with 5.0-star OL Andre Smith (6'4", 320, 5.0) of Birmingham, AL, 5.0-star QB Tim Tebow (6'3", 220, 4.6) of St. Augustine, FL, 5.0-star LB Allen Bradford (6'0", 220, 4.5) of Colton, CA, 4.5-star LB Josh Tatum (6'1", 220, 4.5) of Oakland, CA, 4.5-star RB Michael Goodson (6'0", 200, 4.5) of Klein, TX, 4.5-star S Jonas Mouton (6'2", 210, 4.6) of Los Angeles, CA, 4.5-star DT Derrick Hill (6'2", 270, 4.7) of Oakland, CA, 5.0-star RB DeMarco Murray (6'0", 185, 4.4) of Las Vegas, NV, 4.5-star WR David Ausberry (6'4", 210, 4.4) of Lenmoore, CA, 4.0-star OL Butch Lewis (6'7", 280, 4.9) of Aurora, CO, and 4.0-star LB Marcus Sims (6'1", 215, 4.5) of Tallahasse, FL.

Trojan Update 12/1

QB Matt Leinart was selected as the recipient of the 2005 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation's top senior quarterback by the Frank Camp Chapter of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation. The award presentation will be made in Louisville, KY on December 9th. Leinart is the third Trojan QB to win the award (in its' 19-year history). Rodney Peete (1988) and Carson Palmer (2002) also won the award. This other finalists this year were Brett Basanez (Northwestern), Kellen Clemens (Oregon), Brodie Croyle (Alabama), Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt), Drew Olsen (UCLA) and D.J. Shockley (Georgia).

Leinart, RB Reggie Bush, Texas QB Vince Young, Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn, and Ohio State LB A.J. Hawk were named the five finalists for the Walter Camp Award (awarded annually to the nation's top player).

RB LenDale White (shoulder) practiced on Wednesday. "It felt good being out there, running around giving my teammates hope, or myself hope, that I can play this game," he said. "From the first play I get in and hit somebody, that's when I'll know if I'm going to be able to go at 100%. Right now I feel like I'm healthy. It hurts, but it doesn't hurt that bad."

Coach Carroll announced that LB Keith Rivers (hamstring) and WR Patrick Turner (hamstring) will not play this weekend against UCLA. LB Collin Ashton will start in place of Rivers. Freshman LB Kaluka Maiava will serve as Ashton's back-up. WR Chris McFoy will see more playing time with Turner out and little used WR's William Buchanon and Whitney Lewis will also be on the field more.

Scary stat: UCLA RB/PR Maurice Drew leads the nation in punt return average at 29.1-yards per return. USC has the Pac-10's worst punt return coverage, allowing 10.1-yards per return.

From UCLA TE Mercedes Lewis: "I want to be a big part of why we go out there and shock the world (by beating USC this weekend)."

Recruiting: 4.5-star S Jonas Mouton (6'2", 210, 4.6) of Los Angeles, CA (Venice Senior High School) is close to announcing his decision between LSU, Michigan, Nebraska and USC. Mouton is likely to choose between Michigan and USC.