Trojan Update 2/25

I said I'd wait for Hazelton's decision before commenting on the current recruiting class, so here goes:

First and foremost the Trojans needed safeties and running backs. With starting safeties Darnell Bing and Scott Ware gone, it will be a heated competition between sophomore Kevin Ellison, seniors Brandon and Ryan Ting and the incoming freshman. It looks like junior Josh Pinkard will stay at cornerback (at least for the spring). Antwine Perez will have a big advantage since he is already on campus and participating in workouts with the team. Perez could win a starting job by the end of spring practice. Taylor Mays looks to be a clone of Darnell Bing (same size and speed). Rumors say the coaching staff will play Allen Bradford at safety rather than linebacker during fall camp. Of those three, Perez impressed me the most during the Army High School All-American Game. Perez had some huge hits during that game while Bradford and Mays got run over by Ohio State RB recruit Chris Wells a couple of times. Bradford also dropped a sure interception that he could have returned for a touchdown. There have been some rumors that Bradford could have problems qualifying academically in the fall. Highly touted athlete C.J. Gable could be a factor a cornerback, safety, running back and/or kick returner. At 6'2", 200 pounds Mike Morgan has the size of a safety but was recruited as a weakside linebacker. If he ends up at WLB he'll likely redshirt and try to bulk up. Alfred Rowe is the least heralded of the incoming safety recruits. Bradford, Gable, Mays and Perez will get playing time in the defensive backfield and on special teams early in the 2006 season while Morgan and Rowe redshirt. I wouldn't be surprised if Mays and Perez end up as the starting safety duo by 2007. My personal opinion is that Bradford would be better off as a fullback. The Trojans did well filling the need for safeties. Grade = A (no matter what positions Gable and Morgan play).

Senior Herschel Dennis is likely to be the starting tailback on September 2nd. After a year off due to injury, he is the only healthy/eligible tailback in spring practice. Junior Desmond Reed, junior Chauncey Washington and sophomore Michael Coleman are more likely to be factors in fall camp. Senior Brandon Hancock, if healthy, will take the starting fullback spot with junior Jody Adewale backing him up. Senior Ryan Powdrell has voluntarily moved to fullback from linebacker. Stafon Johnson is the mega-hyped recruit in the group of incoming running backs. Johnson showed his versatility by playing tailback, safety and kick returner in the Army All-American Game. Emmanuel Moody lost some of his luster during his senior season of high school, but still could be the best tailback in the bunch. Moody had some flashes of greatness in the Army All-American Game but also had a fumble. Stanley Havili could be used as a fullback or a tailback. I don't know much about Kenny Ashley, but I read that he is on the academic vulnerability list. The amount of playing time for the freshman depends on if Coleman, Reed and Washington are ready to play on September 2nd. Johnson and Moody will definitely get their shots in the competition. Ashley and Havili would be more likely to redshirt. C.J. Gable could also make an impact at RB if needed. The Trojans missed out on one of their top targets in RB Michael Goodson, who signed with Texas A&M. Grade = A (no matter what position Gable plays).

Signing a quarterback was another high priority for USC this year. Junior John David Booty and redshirt freshman Mark Sanchez could be the best pair of QB's on any single team in the nation. But former walk-on junior Michael McDonald was third (and last) on the depth chart at QB. The USC coaching staff spent most of its efforts recruiting Tim Tebow who signed with Florida. Incoming frosh Garrett Green will redshirt and likely be a five year back-up for the Trojans (barring injuries to the starters). Signing Green was actually a coup since the Trojans offered him a scholarship very late in the recruiting process. Grade = C.

The defensive line was the next priority. The Trojans failed to land their top DT prospects - Gerald McCoy, Brandon Antwine and Derrick Hill. The good news is that 2005 recruit DT Walker Ashley is now academically eligible and ready to play in spring practice. Butch Lewis can play on the offensive or defensive line. Derek Simmons can play DT and DE. Alex Parsons will add depth at DE. Ashley is the only player in this group that should challenge for playing time right away. Lewis, Parsons and Simmons are likely to redshirt. Grade = A (if Lewis plays defense) or B (if Lewis plays offense). This grade did factor in Walker Ashley even though he is really part of the 2005 recruiting class.

The Trojans opted not to recruit a punter to replace Tom Malone. Walk-on Taylor Odegard will have to prove himself in spring practice. Grade = F.

Offensive Line jumped up the priority list when Winston Justice and Fred Matua decided to skip their senior seasons. The Trojans missed out on their top OL targets (Sam Young, Steve Schilling and Andre Smith) but landed Zack Heberer and Butch Lewis. As stated earlier Lewis will play where needed most - offense or defense. I expect Heberer and Lewis to redshirt. Grade = B (if Lewis plays offense) or C (if Lewis plays defense).

Junior Josh Pinkard played well after being converted to cornerback last season and is an impact player everytime he's on the field. Terrell Thomas blew out his knee in the first game of the 2005 season but should be ready for spring practice. The 2005 recruits need to step-in and make an impact this season - sophomores Cary Harris, Will Harris, Mozique McCurtis and Kevin Thomas. Will Harris was the most impressive of that bunch in 2005 until he suffered a season ending injury. Cary Harris and Thomas were about equal. McCurtis was a disappointing JUCO that redshirted in 2005. The incoming 2006 cornerbacks are likely to redshirt - Shareece Wright and Vincent Joseph. C.J. Gable could see playing time at corner and safety. Gable is not expected to redshirt. Wright is another listed as an academic risk. The Trojans missed out on their top CB prospects (Jai Eugene and Ray Small). Grade = A (with Gable at cornerback) or B (with Gable at another position).

Tight end Dominque Byrd is off to the NFL. Junior Fred Davis had a breakout 2005 season after a difficult 2004 freshman campaign. Davis appears to be ready to take the starting position with junior Dale Thompson and sophomore Jimmy Miller as back-ups. Senior Nick Vanderboom should also get some playing time. Redshirt freshman Charles Brown has moved over to offensive tackle. Incoming JUCO transfer Gerald Washington will likely assume a back-up role immediately. Incoming freshman Anthony McCoy will likely redshirt as a TE although he could also work at WR. The Trojans missed on their top TE prospect (Konrad Reuland). Grade = B.

USC has the best linebacking corps in the nation in 2006. It will be interesting to see who gets to play between Keith Rivers, Dallas Sartz, Oscar Lua, Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, Thomas Williams, Kaluka Maiava and Luthur Brown. Incoming freshman Joshua Tatum, Mike Morgan and Allen Bradford could be added to the mix. Tatum's high school career was plagued by injuries but if healthy he will likely see playing time on special teams. Tatum's physical abilities are widely recognized, but his health and playing experience are question marks. Bradford is expected to play at safety early on while Morgan could play safety or weakside linebacker. I'd expect all three players to get on the field this season. Grade = A.

Finally, the position we didn't really need much help at - receiver. That being said, we still landed Vidal Hazelton, David Ausberry, Jamere Holland and Travon Patterson. The first three players are too talented to redshirt, so expect to see them on the field in 2006. Holland could play cornerback and will definitely get a shot at kick returner. Hazelton will likely be groomed to replace senior Steve Smith. Ausberry will try to work in behind junior Dwayne Jarrett and sophomore Patrick Turner. Ausberry has the size to work at TE as well. Patterson is the only one that I'd see redshirting in 2006. Patterson could also play at cornerback and return kicks. Junior Whitney Lewis is another kid that could factor in the receiver equation if he ever lives up to his potential. Grade = A.