USC recruiting and everything else

[NDinL.A.]

USC boards saying Starting OG Aundrey Walker has not signed up for the spring semester

Haha their OL depth is pathetic. Now there's rumors of Martin (OC) going pro and if Walker leaves.... YIKES!! I love it!!

Both Walker and Martin have been telling people at USC that they were going pro as far back as before the season even started. Neither is a shock (Martin already declared; Walker hasn't but is expected to), but neither should have entered IMHO.

You might've seen me Irish Man3 on ISD talking about this last week. Their o-line could be really bad if guys don't improve and/or a freshman or 2 doesn't come in and impress/start right away. With one starter and two important rotation players graduating and 2 starters going pro, they need players to step up big-time.

* Their center is either going to be a guy who has underperformed drastically and is an academic question mark (Hobbi) or a redshirt freshman (Rodgers).

* Left tackle - Wheeler is back. Not a bad player with a lot of room for improvement.

* Left Guard - Tuerk is back

* Right Guard - Gotta be a true freshman (Mama, Viane) or someone who has not lived up to expectations and/or has been injured too much (Simmons, Di Paola).

* R Tackle - This is where it gets interesting. You could see another disappointing player who has not shown much even in practice in Banner, or they could move Tuerk here, which means you'll see another freshman at left guard.

So, to summarize, they better see some disappointing players raise their games big-time or they'll be seeing 3 freshman/redshirt freshman along their interior line. Yikes.

 

[dublinirish]

they have a JUCO Tackle signed though, can't remember the kids name, from Arizona

 

[NDinL.A.]

they have a JUCO Tackle signed though, can't remember the kids name, from Arizona

You're thinking of Claude Pelon, but he's a defensive tackle.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

To be fair though, those freshmen/ redshirt freshmen have a chance to be really good

 

[Irish Man3]

Both Walker and Martin have been telling people at USC that they were going pro as far back as before the season even started. Neither is a shock (Martin already declared; Walker hasn't but is expected to), but neither should have entered IMHO.

You might've seen me Irish Man3 on ISD talking about this last week. Their o-line could be really bad if guys don't improve and/or a freshman or 2 doesn't come in and impress/start right away. With one starter and two important rotation players graduating and 2 starters going pro, they need players to step up big-time.

* Their center is either going to be a guy who has underperformed drastically and is an academic question mark (Hobbi) or a redshirt freshman (Rodgers).

* Left tackle - Wheeler is back. Not a bad player with a lot of room for improvement.

* Left Guard - Tuerk is back

* Right Guard - Gotta be a true freshman (Mama, Viane) or someone who has not lived up to expectations and/or has been injured too much (Simmons, Di Paola).

* R Tackle - This is where it gets interesting. You could see another disappointing player who has not shown much even in practice in Banner, or they could move Tuerk here, which means you'll see another freshman at left guard.

So, to summarize, they better see some disappointing players raise their games big-time or they'll be seeing 3 freshman/redshirt freshman along their interior line. Yikes.

I did read that awhile back and I always appreciate your insight on their program. They won't be down forever but every day that they are, I'm a happy man.

 

[dublinirish]

You're thinking of Claude Pelon, but he's a defensive tackle.

my bad! thought for sure he was an OT, if that is the case then yeah their OL depth is gonna be pretty thin

 

[IrishLax]

Apparently they're getting the San Fran OL coach. Unreal. Why would he leave that job for SC?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Apparently they're getting the San Fran OL coach. Unreal. Why would he leave that job for SC?

Harbaugh going to Texas... But for real the only thing I can think of is that he just didn't mesh with Jim. He rubs some guys wrong on occasion.

 

[Irish2155]

Harbaugh going to Texas... But for real the only thing I can think of is that he just didn't mesh with Jim. He rubs some guys wrong on occasion.

Michigan Man

 

[Irish Man3]

God bless that's a great hire.

Faaaaack!!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Harbaugh going to Texas... But for real the only thing I can think of is that he just didn't mesh with Jim. He rubs some guys wrong on occasion.

Well I didn't realize Drevno was with Harbaugh at Stanford and followed him to San Fran... Maybe he just liked the college game more??

 

[TheChosen1]

God bless that's a great hire.

Faaaaack!!

Meh..I'd rather Hiestand

 

[Irish2155]

Meh..I'd rather Hiestand

Me too. But he is supposedly good too.

 

[STLDomer]

Uko is entering the draft. Ed O leaving probably pushed him toward leaving

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Apparently they're getting the San Fran OL coach. Unreal. Why would he leave that job for SC?

They get the SF OL coach, ND gets the Jets LB coach. Push. ND has Harry, Advantage ND.

 

[ScooterIrish]

Harbaugh going to Texas... But for real the only thing I can think of is that he just didn't mesh with Jim. He rubs some guys wrong on occasion.

I think SF has two OL coaches...so maybe he just wanted to be the main guy?

 

[connor_in]

Uko is entering the draft. Ed O leaving probably pushed him toward leaving

Still haven't forgiven Uko for breaking up the Beatles, man

 

[NDinL.A.]

Apparently they're getting the San Fran OL coach. Unreal. Why would he leave that job for SC?

He is their co-offensive line coach, and really he is their #2. Their #1 guy is a legend and is extremely highly regarded. Also, Greg Roman also gets a ton of credit from people in the Stanford and Niners programs/organizations.

The reason he took the job is because he's a lifelong USC fan, and he gets to be in charge again. Sounds like a great hire by SC though...

Uko is entering the draft. Ed O leaving probably pushed him toward leaving

I don't blame you for thinking that because that is what a lot of USC fans are selling. But he was telling students and teammates that he was leaving long ago.

I took my students on a field trip to USC when he was a true freshman (redshirting at the time) and because on my students' parents worked for Pst Haden, we got a tour of Heritage Hall. Anyway, I ran into Uko, and that kid was so well put together it was scary. Strong as hell, but not very tall. Very nice too, and great to my students. He was there for 4 years, but IMO he didn't dominate this year and should have returned. The $$$ (even though it will prob be 3rd-5th rd $$$ at most) was probably too much to pass on.

Still, any loss for USC is a gain for me.

 

[ulukinatme]

Harbaugh going to Texas... But for real the only thing I can think of is that he just didn't mesh with Jim. He rubs some guys wrong on occasion.

Homo? I mean, it is San Fran.

 

[dshans]

Still haven't forgiven Uko for breaking up the Beatles, man

Damn that Uko Uno!!!



She is one of a kind, though ...

 

[Riddickulous]

USC OL commit Jordan Poland flipped to Arizona today.

 

[kzoondfi]

Awesome!!! I was just thinking how nice it is to not see (thus far) any of these kids committing to the USC during the UA game.

 

[ACamp1900]

Awesome!!! I was just thinking how nice it is to not see (thus far) any of these kids committing to the USC during the UA game.

Yep, instead of years past when blue chippers spread out to SC, OU, Texas, and others, every last one of them basically went to LSU or Bama....

fun times.

 

[dublinirish]

big day for rich rod getting Poland and Jalen Tarbor

 

[NDinL.A.]

USC OL commit Jordan Poland flipped to Arizona today.

Damn, this actually sucks. I was hoping he would stay with the Trojans.

This kid committed to the old staff when he was a senior in high school (eligibility wise). But because of his fuzzy academic background (lonnnnng story...nothing dirty though), he had to do another year of high school at La Jolla Country Day, a swanky private school in San Diego, where he couldn't play football. Because he got hurt his 'senior' year, he hasn't played football in 2 years. And he was having difficulty academically in his new, much tougher, school as well. He was supposed to EE, but that fell through. And when that happened, with the new staff not knowing him, the writing was on the wall.

He was a project to begin with (he was overrated to begin with according to many, even USC fans), and then a whole year off wasn't going to help. I was hoping he would sign with USC and give them a wasted scholarship for a couple of years (he definitely ain't playing next year and I highly doubt as a red-shirt freshman...he's got a lot of work to do). Hurts SC in one sense because they don't have a lot of tackles in the fold.

***Also, according to Chris Hawkin's dad, Tee Shephard is 99% to USC, as is Juju Smith (no surprise on either). But the real surprise is Adoree Jackson is trending big-time to USC. THAT would quite the steal for them. That's some major DB help coming for them...

 

[Johannes]

Quiet day at work so far, so I spent a few hours reading up on USC’s recruiting situation. As of today, they have 16 commitments, four of which will be early enrolling. As I understand it, they have room for three more in the 2014 class. Their current commitments are as follows (ratings are 247 Composite):

O Line

• OG Viane Talamaivao (4*)
• OG Toa Lobendahn (4* EE)
• OG Chris Brown (4*)
• OT Jordan Austin (3* EE)

O Skill

• TE Bryce Dixon (4*)
• WR Rahshead Johnson (4*)
• QB Jalen Greene (3*)
• WR Shay Fields (3*)
• WR Ajene Harris (2*)

D Front Seven:

• SDE Claudeson Pelon (4* EE)
• SDE Malik Dorton (3*)
• SDE Austin Maloata (3*)
• SDE Don Hill (3* EE)
• ILB Olajuwon Tucker (3*)

D Secondary:

• CB Jonathan Lockett (4*)
• S Uchenna Nwosu (3*)

That puts them at 9 offensive commits and 7 defensive commits. Remaining targets include:

• S Juju Smith (5*)
• OG Damien Mama (5*)
• CB Tee Shepard (4*)
• CB Adoree’ Jackson (5*)
• WR Michiah Quick (4*)
• DT Josh Frazier (4* Bama Commit)

It sounds like Shepard is a lock to Troy at this point. I think they end up with Jackson and Mama as well. Unless I’m missing something, that puts them at their signing cap. Decommitments are a possibility, and I’m sure USC fans wouldn’t mind seeing someone like Harris back out. I’ve also heard talk that someone like Johnson could end up with a track scholarship and walk-on the football squad? Does that work? If so, it’s a sneaky way to get around their sanctions.

As hard as it is to believe, it’s not a complete stretch that Juju could end up Irish due to USC filling up. Unlikely, yes, but interesting to think about. Anyway, thought I'd share my research with you all.

 

[Rack Em]

Quiet day at work so far, so I spent a few hours reading up on USC’s recruiting situation. As of today, they have 16 commitments, four of which will be early enrolling. As I understand it, they have room for three more in the 2014 class. Their current commitments are as follows (ratings are 247 Composite):

O Line

• OG Viane Talamaivao (4*)
• OG Toa Lobendahn (4* EE)
• OG Chris Brown (4*)
• OT Jordan Austin (3* EE)

O Skill

• TE Bryce Dixon (4*)
• WR Rahshead Johnson (4*)
• QB Jalen Greene (3*)
• WR Shay Fields (3*)
• WR Ajene Harris (2*)

D Front Seven:

• SDE Claudeson Pelon (4* EE)
• SDE Malik Dorton (3*)
• SDE Austin Maloata (3*)
• SDE Don Hill (3* EE)
• ILB Olajuwon Tucker (3*)

D Secondary:

• CB Jonathan Lockett (4*)
• S Uchenna Nwosu (3*)

That puts them at 9 offensive commits and 7 defensive commits. Remaining targets include:

• S Juju Smith (5*)
• OG Damien Mama (5*)
• CB Tee Shepard (4*)
• CB Adoree’ Jackson (5*)
• WR Michiah Quick (4*)
• DT Josh Frazier (4* Bama Commit)

It sounds like Shepard is a lock to Troy at this point. I think they end up with Jackson and Mama as well. Unless I’m missing something, that puts them at their signing cap. Decommitments are a possibility, and I’m sure USC fans wouldn’t mind seeing someone like Harris back out. I’ve also heard talk that someone like Johnson could end up with a track scholarship and walk-on the football squad? Does that work? If so, it’s a sneaky way to get around their sanctions.

As hard as it is to believe, it’s not a complete stretch that Juju could end up Irish due to USC filling up. Unlikely, yes, but interesting to think about. Anyway, thought I'd share my research with you all.

Current student-athletes or current commits will get booted to make room for those recruits. Remember, Sark was around during the Slimy Pete era.

 

[koonja]

Quiet day at work so far, so I spent a few hours reading up on USC’s recruiting situation. As of today, they have 16 commitments, four of which will be early enrolling. As I understand it, they have room for three more in the 2014 class. Their current commitments are as follows (ratings are 247 Composite):

O Line

• OG Viane Talamaivao (4*)
• OG Toa Lobendahn (4* EE)
• OG Chris Brown (4*)
• OT Jordan Austin (3* EE)

O Skill

• TE Bryce Dixon (4*)
• WR Rahshead Johnson (4*)
• QB Jalen Greene (3*)
• WR Shay Fields (3*)
• WR Ajene Harris (2*)

D Front Seven:

• SDE Claudeson Pelon (4* EE)
• SDE Malik Dorton (3*)
• SDE Austin Maloata (3*)
• SDE Don Hill (3* EE)
• ILB Olajuwon Tucker (3*)

D Secondary:

• CB Jonathan Lockett (4*)
• S Uchenna Nwosu (3*)

That puts them at 9 offensive commits and 7 defensive commits. Remaining targets include:

• S Juju Smith (5*)
• OG Damien Mama (5*)
• CB Tee Shepard (4*)
• CB Adoree’ Jackson (5*)
• WR Michiah Quick (4*)
• DT Josh Frazier (4* Bama Commit)

It sounds like Shepard is a lock to Troy at this point. I think they end up with Jackson and Mama as well. Unless I’m missing something, that puts them at their signing cap. Decommitments are a possibility, and I’m sure USC fans wouldn’t mind seeing someone like Harris back out. I’ve also heard talk that someone like Johnson could end up with a track scholarship and walk-on the football squad? Does that work? If so, it’s a sneaky way to get around their sanctions.

As hard as it is to believe, it’s not a complete stretch that Juju could end up Irish due to USC filling up. Unlikely, yes, but interesting to think about. Anyway, thought I'd share my research with you all.

Very good analysis. But there's no way USC tells Juju they don't have room, even if I can't give you a scenario of how it's possible. They will make it happen.

 

[IrishLax]

They'll force people out as necessary, already did with Jordan Poland.

They're also giving out "track scholarships" to get around the intial-counter sanctions. They'll have these kids redshirt and then take them on the football team as counters after the sanctions are up.

 

[Johannes]

Yeah, you guys are right, I didn't really factor that level of shadiness into my thought process on Juju. I forget that those tactics are accepted at other schools.

Harris, Maloata, Nwosu, and Fields seem most likely to be given the cold shoulder before NSD, should they run out of room.