Here’s the last of the pre-signing day questions that remained relevant.
Q: TROJANS32 said:
I heard that MB7 has had a private tutor for a long time. Scott, do you know who he is, just what does he do, and how does he help MB7 at this point in time? Thank you, Scott.
A: Are you referring to football or academics? Every athlete has tutors for classes in order to assist them, especially freshmen, who are required to attend study sessions. Or are you referring to football? Like Matt Leinart, he works with Steve Clarkson, who is now touting the Baby Quarterback.
Q: Peter Parker said:
Taylor Mays, Charles Brown, Stafon Johnson, Anthony McCoy, and Jeff Byers are the only seniors invited to play in the Senior Bowl. I remember last year there were more players invited to all star games. Why haven’t the seniors as Will Harris, Kevin Thomas, Alex Parsons,and Averell Spicer been invited to any all star games?
A: The Senior Bowl is the most prestigious post-season game because of all the NFL personnel in attendance. USC’s had some pretty unusual classes in the past few years, with more than 10 players getting drafted. This year’s class is not to the level. But I am surprised that Harris and Thomas were not in all-star games (unless I missed it).
Q: HANDICAPPED PARKING said:
How much do you think the probable coming NCAA sanctions hurt recruiting this year, and the same question for those lousy LA Times articles? Do the recruits pay much attention to that kind of stuff? And, along the same lines, do you think the coaching change hurt recruiting too? Thanx.
To make it one question, what do you think were the main factors that hurt us in recruiting this year, Scott? Thanx and thanx for the forums too.
A: The coaching change did hurt recruiting, with Dietrich Riley going to UCLA. Seantrel Henderson was going to come to USC under Pete Carroll too, so there was no change there. USC did add Markeith Ambles because Pete Carroll dropped him over character issues. I think the coaching change had less of an effect than usually occurs when one takes place, but it did hurt. Linebacker Jordan Zumwalt wanted to come to USC when Pete Carroll was the coach and Lane Kiffin did not show a lot of interest in him until the very end.
Q: Trojans Rule said:
HI SCOTT:
With the NCAA apparently not going to wait for the outcome of the Bush lawsuit to make their decision, and with the NCAA refusing our offer to self penalize the football program, would you consider either or both of these things as bad omens for us when it comes to trying to guess the eventual outcome of the NCAA decision? Thank you very much. Let me please add that I hope we bring back the chats in some form if you have the time. Many of us really miss them. Thank you again.
A: I do not think USC offered to self-impose football sanctions. USC’s received a letter with a list of charges and believes it has a case. However, some officials also believe the NCAA is going to make a point and come down hard on USC. I would brace for the worst and hope for the best if I were a USC fan. If the NCAA does nothing, it will be criticized as being too lenient. The big question is what evidence they will produce when they announce penalties.
Q: Pop Goes The Weasel said:
Scott, do you have any idea why Kiffin didn’t want Schwab when it appears we need defensive line help?
Thank you, sir.
A: He did not think Schwab was good enough.
Q: Champion said:
Why is USC losing commitments, and not getting commitments considering the small incoming class commited and the need at some positions?
A: The class ended up being about 21 recruits, depending if they all sign and qualify. USC lost commitments right near signing date last season, so it’s not an unusual thing to happen.