Answer Wednesday!

Another recruiting question highlights this segment of Answer Wednesday.

Q: Peter Parker said:
Who are some linebacker and wide receiver targets for USC in 2010? Also, does USC have a chance with Justin Maclin? Thank you.

A: This is not a great year for receivers, compared to some of the players’ USC’s signed in the past seven or eight years. At the recent Rising Stars camp, there were some good receivers but no Mike Williams or Dwayne Jarretts, so it’s debatable whether USC how many receivers USC will sign.
Kenneth Scott of Colony High in Ontario had a nice day but was not yet even offered by USC. One intriguing receiver was Deche Milburn of Houston. Another out-of-state prospect was Tehvyn Brantley of North Carolina, but he’s only 5-8 and might not even get offered.
USC is no longer recruiting wide receiver Markeith Ambles, one of the nation’s top prospects, who apparently has some issues.
At linebacker, one of the best prospects might be Ronald Powell. He’s one of the best defensive ends in the country but held his own at middle linebacker in the Rising Stars camp. Another nice local prospect is Josh Shirley from Fontana.
Tony Jefferson of Chula Vista is highly regarded but his size (6-0, 196) might be a drawback. Among top prospects USC is after that are long shots is Khairi Fortt of Connecticut.

Q: Sam Gilbert said:
Why hasn’t Landon Donovan achieved more success outside of MLS and do you think he ever will?

A: Even Donovan admits that when he went to Germany a few years ago he did not always work hard and was not prepared to succeed in the Bundesliga. He did have a better mindset when he went to Bayern Munich last season but the problem is he went to a best club in Germany and could not crack the lineup. He needs to go to a small-to-mid level team and actually play.
There’s been a feeling that he is too comfortable being a big fish in a little pond in the MLS and if he wants to establish his reputation internationally, he’s going to have to insist on making the leap to Europe even though the Galaxy prefer to keep him.