USC recruiting and everything else

[Bogtrotter07]

I hate USC more than anyone, but these sound like weak-*** excuses given by ND fans for years. I'm not buying this at all. You know how easy it is to recruit to USC? Location, weather, women, women, tradition, academics (yes, they sell that, and the education given is great for non-athletes), WINNING, etc. I mean, it's not a hard sell, and Ed O is as good a recruiter as you'll find. And while he'll do anything to get his guys into school (just read Meat Market or The Blind Side), they don't need to pay off recruits to get them there. And Haden won't let them anyways.

What USC is doing is quite simple. They're selling all I wrote, plus the fact that there are only a limited amount of schollies, and if they want one they better jump on it. They're telling them, join now, or risk losing spot. And all of these are elite players. Oh, and several of these guys grew up as huge USC fans, bc when they were young USC was winning at an unprescedented rate. So for them, it was a no-brainer.

I don't know, I guess for me, I'm not going to hate on a guy that's doing really well at something. And like it or not, kiffy-boy and co are really good recruiters, and they are recruiting to an easy school to recruit to. We'll see how they do w a lack of depth (they did horribly 2 yrs ago), and we'll see how they do post-Barkley. I'm not sold on his coaching, but totally sold on his recruiting...

My comment wasn't about USC; it was about Lane Kiffin.

Except for the fact that Kiffin has the moral responsibility of a two year old. He was involved in the following. He crashed car, most probably late at night. Alcohol was involved. There was never a police report. There is a code of silence, just like Penn State:

Updated: Wed 3:45 AM, Jan 20, 2010
Back to Local 8 Now - Home

Knoxville Lexus dealer confirms crash involving Coach Lane Kiffin

KNOXVILLE, Tenn (WVLT) -- Ever since Coach Lane Kiffin resigned his job as University of Tennessee head football coach last week to take the same job at the University of Southern California, rumors have swirled about Coach Kiffin's conduct here in Knoxville.

Included in those rumors, questions about a car crash involving Coach Kiffin.

Well, that's not a rumor anymore.

Lexus of Knoxville confirmed to Volunteer TV News' Mark Packer Tuesday afternoon that Coach Kiffin was indeed involved in a one-car accident in a car owned by Lexus.

Lexus' email statement did not specify the date of the incident, where it happened or who was driving the vehicle, which was leased to Kiffin through the coach's vehicle program.

Lexus of Knoxville is a sponsor of the Tennessee Fund program which leases vehicles to coaches of UT men's and women's athletic programs.

The statement says, "The proper authorities were contacted and the vehicle was towed to our location. Coach Kiffin’s insurance was contacted and promptly paid the claim."

It continues, "We have no knowledge of any of the alleged facts surrounding the accident being reported on the internet."

Since our report this afternoon, the University of Tennessee has confirmed the university knew about an accident involving Kiffin.

Spokesperson Tiffany Carpenter says Kiffin slid off the road while driving home during fall camp early one August morning.

In fact, Coach Kiffin himself confirmed the crash, if this is the same one, during an interview with Volquest.com.

The coach saying at the time he was headed home after a late practice during fall camp, fell asleep and drifted off the road.

Carpenter says authorities were notified after the crash.

Knox County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Martha Dooley say there are no reports of any accident reports filed by Lane Kiffin in 2009.

Knoxville Police Department spokesperson Darrell DeBusk says there are no reports of any accident reports filed by Kiffin in September or October. He's checking all of 2009.

Lexus of Knoxville says they will have no further comment regarding the situation.

Help us separate fact from fiction. If you have information that can help in our investigation, email brian.gregory[at]wvlt-tv.com and mark.edwards[at]wvlt-tv.com.

More details as they develop on Volunteer TV News and VolunteerTV.com.

 

[IrishLax]

NDinLA.....

Can you tell me how many of their 16 commits last year qualified/EE'd? Is 18 the magic number for this class?

EDIT: It appears they only took 15 last year (one guy was a preferred walk-on)... so I'm assuming 3 EEs = 18 recruits this year?

 

[Old Man Mike]

Two cents on USC: In my experience watching USC recruit for decades, everyone in my football-knowledgeable environment simply assumed that they would "get whomever they wanted to". It in fact became somewhat of a sour joke that you could get the textbook height and weight measurements for football players simply by measuring the USC starting lineups. USC was, for instance, the first team to field "classic" measuring O-Lines all across tackle-to-tackle each year [I'm talking at least as far back as the 80s, probably earlier].

But they didn't always win. Why not?? There was a repetitive laxity that also surrounded that program which required individuals to motivate themselves if they cared to. Their tremendous talent allowed them to "succeed" in the average game, but there would almost always be the surprise-how-did-that-happen? Things about USC have been slack in football for a long time. That's why Coach Lou, with thinly veiled disgust, called them "The University of Spoiled Children".

USC then, cruising along on somewhat undisciplined talent [obviously not all players were like that, but it doesn't take many to occasionally screw things up], would run into a really good disciplined team in the bowls [or ND]. And often lose. This is the sort of thing that could even happen to them this year despite their talent load.

But about the future: I believe that USC will be a consistent powerhouse despite anything. But unless Haden can work miracles, I'll have to be convinced that the elite-empowerment-of-the-individual atmosphere has somehow been eliminated. And one other thing: USC is going to remain a "traditional" 20th century football team. Saban gets away with that [monstrous, vicious, never-a-play-off defense]. I don't believe Kiffin will. Chip Kelly is going to find ways to show that even a lesser powered 21st century team can win most of them against a slightly slack 20th century power. This is what Our Kelly is building too. Whether we get quite the over-all elite array that USC always harvests with their "class attendance is optional" and "let's hit the beach" sales programs, Kelly will take nearly equivalent talent and he and Diaco will out-system them. That's how we often beat them in the past. We out-toughed them; we out-disciplined them; and we out-coached them. Give Our Kelly another year or two, that's exactly what he will have built.

I don't fear the continual USC talent flow. We're plenty good too. And there are things about us, holistically, that are much better.

 

[NDinL.A.]

NDinLA.....

Can you tell me how many of their 16 commits last year qualified/EE'd? Is 18 the magic number for this class?

EDIT: It appears they only took 15 last year (one guy was a preferred walk-on)... so I'm assuming 3 EEs = 18 recruits this year?

18 would be 100% correct. If Darius Rodgers doesn't pass a summer course, then they'd be able to have 19. Ty Isaac recently revealed that his hs will allow him to be an EE, which was big news for the Trogans, as they have to have EEs or else it means they take less guys...

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Their recruiting is just frustrating. Always reloading and they'll be back to winning championships very soon. This kinda sucks.

 

[beryirish]

<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QZfvjKmxP4c?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QZfvjKmxP4c?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>

Honestly! WTF is going on??!!!! My goodness USC is knocking it out. Last night felt like my first night in the slammer walking out of the showers.

It's like they are pointing their finger at a prospect and saying let's get him and they get him. Good lord if they get Vernon or any other elite prospect.

Love NDs class...it's incredible but USC...daaaammmnnnnn.

 

[beryirish]

DB Jalen Ramsey committed to USC today

 

[STLDomer]

ND is still #4 on 247, USC is now #1

4 & 11

 

[DomeLover3]

Reps to whoever can explain their scholly situation

 

[beryirish]

Reps to whoever can explain their scholly situation

They should be near full roughly a few more spots but the damage has already been done...

 

[STLDomer]

18 I believe.

somehow an EE could change that to maybe 19 I have heard but that could be wrong.

me9rob or LA probably know the most

 

[beryirish]

18 I believe.

somehow an EE could change that to maybe 19 I have heard but that could be wrong.

me9rob or LA probably know the most

Greg Biggins:

I'm getting asked this a ton, USC signed 12 players last year giving them 3 schollies for early enrollees, can sign 18 total this year.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Reps to whoever can explain their scholly situation

They can sign 18. 3 can EE and count towards last class which is how they get around the 15 restriction. They should only be able to take 15 next year as they will have used up all their loop holes. If they can stay healthy which has actually been a problem with the way Kiffin practices, they should be just fine with the 75 scholly restriction. I think that is a big IF though.

 

[STLDomer]

and 247 shows 6 of their commits planning on EE so they have the 3 EEs for last years class already so 18 is concrete.

 

[Classic Irish]

ND is still #4 on 247, USC is now #1

4 & 11

Hmmm, given the parties (Kiffen and Orgeron) and school involved, what would Occam's razor imply here?

 

[me9rob]

18 I believe.

somehow an EE could change that to maybe 19 I have heard but that could be wrong.

me9rob or LA probably know the most

18 is the number. Maybe 19 if Darreus Rogers doesn't qualify, but not sure how likely or unlikely that is.

 

[SantaBarbaraTrojan]

18 is the number. Maybe 19 if Darreus Rogers doesn't qualify, but not sure how likely or unlikely that is.

Well, if you think about it for just a second...if Rodgers doesn't qualify, he can't be part of the class, right? So the hard number is still 18 and, SC can fill that spot with Rodgers-being a "qualified student"' or another player later (or an EE next year) if he doesn't qualify as a student, which still makes for a hard number of 18. I know it's all semantics, but the number is 18 scholarships this year.

 

[me9rob]

Well, if you think about it for just a second...if Rodgers doesn't qualify, he can't be part of the class, right? So the hard number is still 18 and, SC can fill that spot with Rodgers-being a "qualified student"' or another player later (or an EE next year) if he doesn't qualify as a student, which still makes for a hard number of 18. I know it's all semantics, but the number is 18 scholarships this year.

I think you're getting Rodgers mixed up (or I misspelled his name). I'm talking about Darreus Rodgers, wide receiver from LAST class. There are rumors that he may not qualify and if he doesn't then it is as though SC only took 11 guys as opposed to 12 and because of that we'd have 4 EE spots instead of 3. Meaning USC would have 19 spots.

 

[ACamp1900]

Two Trojans having a dialogue openly on a Notre Dame fan site... ain't we grand???

 

[woolybug25]

I think you're getting Rodgers mixed up (or I misspelled his name). I'm talking about Darreus Rodgers, wide receiver from LAST class. There are rumors that he may not qualify and if he doesn't then it is as though SC only took 11 guys as opposed to 12 and because of that we'd have 4 EE spots instead of 3. Meaning USC would have 19 spots.

How ironic that a recruit at a position that USC is deepest at may not qualify. Especially considering they have three WR's that project better than him in this class.

weird....

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Two Trojans having a dialogue openly on a Notre Dame fan site... ain't we grand???

Who needs a top team when you have the righteous satisfaction that such magnanimous tolerance brings?

 

[ACamp1900]

Who needs a top team when you have the righteous satisfaction that such magnanimous tolerance brings?

lol... only we, the righteous few, know for sure.

 

[beryirish]

Garry Paskwietz states that USC will most likely pursue 2 more defensive backs and 1 defensive lineman to finish out the class.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

@Scott_Schrader: #USC fans should expect a new commitment tomorrow. Stay tuned to @FightOn247 #Trojans

 

[NDPhilly]

They have 3 spots left so players are going to be jumping at those spots. Maybe it's Tahaan Goodman?

 

[IrishLax]

I'm going to assume 2014.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Casey Tucker?

 

[me9rob]

Casey Tucker?

Him or maybe Redfield.

FWIW, I don't think SC is getting Tahaan Goodman.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Lindsey Thiry ‏@LindseyThiry
Could be bad injury news for a 2013 #USC verbal commit...now awaiting MRI results... http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=15&f=1017&t=9154017

Does another spot open up? Half-kidding.. I haven't read the story but if this kid is damaged goods does Kiffy pull the schollie?

 

[STLDomer]

“@Scott_Schrader: WR Massington Tears His ACL WR Massington Tears His ACL

Massington remains solid with his commitment to the Trojans and the Trojans remain solid with Massington.
"I already know they aren't going to pull my scholarship," said Massington.