Back to the answers.

Q: TROJANS32 said:
Was the junior defensive back, I forget his name but I think it was Anderson, that was given a scholarship this week, given it just for purposes of raising the overall academic success rate, or does the kid have a real chance of seeing quality playing time? Also, at this time of year, wouldn’t it be better to give out a scholarship to a senior because nothing gets wasted, whereas if you give it to a junior, one of our scholarships we have to give out gets delayed for a year [until the junior finishes his senior year]?
Scott, I hope those 2 questions are related enough to consider them as one, but if not, then just answer the first one please.
Thanks for all your help every week. Sincere thanks.

A: I believe you are referring to Robert Erickson. A scholarship is given to a walk-on who exceeds expectations and becomes a contributor in practices or games. USC’s gone both ways in giving scholarships to seniors and underclassmen, depending on the situation. Pete Carroll felt he had a scholarship that he did not need for next year and obviously felt Erickson was impressive enough in practices and scrimmages to warrant one. And maybe since Patrick Hall won’t play this season, he felt like it was worth it to give a junior a scholarship.

Q: sobayquail said:
What’s up with Martin Coleman? He was highly decorated coming out of Edison High but seems to have disappeared on the Trojan depth chart.

A: He was hurt and battled some weight issues. And he did not grow up playing football like some of his competitors. All that said, I agree that he has not lived up to the hopes when he committed. But that happens with linemen.