Here’s another batch of answers.

Q: Why are there all these news stories that SC’s recruiting class was so weak? Sure there were no QBs signed, but if Mustain were factored in, wouldn’t this class qualify for Top 5 or possibly even No. 1 status?

A: It’s not that the class was weak, but it was Pete Carroll’s lowest-ranked class since 2001. And there were quite a few national recruits that spurned USC this year until the late pickups of Nick Perry and T.J. Bryant. It’s also due to the fact that no running backs chose USC because of the glut at that position. If Mustain were factored in, yes it would be a highly ranked class, but transfers don’t usually get mentioned by the recruiting services. Besides, it seems a little weird to me with Mustain on campus for one semester already to include him in next year’s class. But that’s probably because I see him quite often and think of him as being on the team already without lumping him into a recruiting class.

Q: This is a follow up from our last questions session. You said you don’t expect Rojo to be on the same par as a D.Jarret or a M.Williams. So does that mean he’s not living up to the hype? I mean I thought he was this huge recruit that Michigan missed out on. Any chance he’ll be moved to CB if he doesn’t turn out to be a big time WR?

A: Mike Williams and Dwayne Jarrett arrived at USC as near-finished products and they don’t come along often. Ronald Johnson can be a good player in his own right. But right now, it’s no comparison. He gives USC a deep threat right now, so I doubt he’ll move to corner. I know he was highly ranked by the recruiting services, but Mike Williams was not, so that’s not always a great barometer.

Q: With SC racking up the early commits for 2009 does that mean scholarship offers were made? Can SC withdraw obligations to early commits if any have sub-par senior seasons?

A: Scholarship offers were made to these players and of course, like commitments, they are non-binding until signing date next year.

Q: I see where Pete has admitted that he now has to get commitments earlier, in kid’s high school junior year. Are there any NCAA rules that place limitations on when a college can contact a high school kid for recruitment purposes i.e. sophomore year is too early?

A: There are no age limitations. It’s one reason USC basketball got a commitment from Ryan Boatwright as an eighth grader.

Q: How would you compare the work ethic and attitudes of Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett while at USC and do you believe they are now showing through in their NFL careers?

A: Smith always got ahead because he worked hard and ran precise pass routes. Remember how some thought he was crazy to go to USC at the same time as Whitney Lewis. He always seemed to know he needed to put in a lot of effort to be successful. Jarrett was very successful at USC, however, in his junior year, he seemed more reluctant to work hard every day, perhaps because he knew he would turn pro. Don’t forget he also got plenty of hype his sophomore year with his big catch at Notre Dame and seemed to turn it on and off as a junior. Perhaps that is why he’s struggled in the NFL.