Morning Buzz

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USC wide receiver Brice Butler will transfer to a FCS school in order to avoid redshirting next season. Butler announced the move on his twitter feed. His move means USC is once again below 60 scholarship players (59).

12 thoughts on “Morning Buzz”

  1. Brice was a good Trojan, but with the guys coming in Farmer and Blackwell and also the guys already at USC Ambles, Floruney and Woods, it was clear that he wasn’t going to get much of an opportunity. He seems like a nice kid and he was solid, but this is one position that USC fans don’t need to worry about. Don’t forget that they have Payton, Rogers and Mickens currently committed for 2012. I know…you have reported that Payton is open because of USC having less interest, but with or without, USC is completely loaded at this position. Regarding the 59 scholarship number…that will change come Feb. 2nd and USC will be at 80-85 depending on how things go. Also, the numbers won’t be a problem in 2012 or 2013 for USC, even if the sanctions are upheld. They will be able to stay at or around 70-75 players based on projections. Now, 2014, if the sanctions are upheld, will be a more challenging year in terms of numbers…it could be closer to 65-70 based on kids leaving and graduating seniors. So, I know you are trying to be objective in the world of fans of the program, but things will be fine at USC…better than fine and it will start getting better next year. With a softer schedule and a very much improved roster…remember Scott, USC will have 32-42 FR on the roster next year because they redshirted kids that could have been used last season. People shouldn’t be worried about the sanctions and if we get some back…wow. Kiffin was the right hire under the circumstances and I am 100% sure of that. He is a tireless recruiter, a very good offensive mind, and he will get better as a head coach with more experience. Not to mention that he isn’t afraid to hire strong coaches to round out the coaching staff. Also, I know you have inside sources, but I did want to say that people will be very happy with the class come next Wednesday. They will have missed on some, but the positions of need will be addressed (OL, LB and DL). And, the skill position players on the roster will be as good or better than any other team in the country. Prater, Woods, Farmer, Ambles, Morgan, Tyler, Barkley, Baxter, etc…this is a very talented roster and I will go on record now and say that 9-10 wins is very likely and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s better than that. Injuries could change things, but if all things are equal, Trojans fans will be very happy with the progress and the overall talent that USC puts on the field next season. Thanks Scott!
    Terry Howse

  3. I actually think the Daily Trojan is wrong, but I am not 100% sure? It was my understanding that only Juniors and Seniors during the bowl ban years could transfer, meaning that only the seniors at this point? He did say that he would be transferring to a D1-AA school, so I am sure he did his due diligence in researching his options. I guess we will find out.

  4. @uscmba: That’s an interesting point. This AY, Butler is an academic junior but a red shirt sophomore for eligiility purposes. The “free agency rule,” as Kiffin likes to call it was designed to ensure that kids with only 2 years of eligibility remaining could transfer without penalty so they could play in another bowl game before exhausting their eligibility. Since Butler would have 1 year of eligibilty remaining after the bowl game he would not be able to take advantage of the penalty. Since he already used up a RS year, he’ll need to transfer to an FCS school. The kid has obviously thought this through.

  5. Howse,

    All very good points. Refreshing to hear someone using some logic when making a post.

    Kiffin was and is the perfect hire. Young, motivated, great recruiter, and seems to always have a good staff surrounding him. Brice will be missed as a person, but not as a player. I think it’s obvious he realizes he’s not going to get much PT.

  6. What’s up with these Bryce/Brice kids? They’re scared to compete and want to ge given playing time without earning it.

    That’s what we get when we recruit guys with girls names, wusses!!!

  7. Brice is an absolutely outstanding young man and I wish him the best of luck. Sad to see him go, but it is a win-win. Brice is a redshirt soph, so he does not qualify under the NCAA free agent sanction. Only players with 2 yrs eligibility last season and 1 year eligibility this season may transfer with immediate eligibility.

  8. Brice was and is a great person, humble, and a high character person. Sad to see him go, and he is a good Trojan. I think more than anything that he did not quite fit into Kiffin’s ideal receiver mold. He was not quite fast enough to be a burner a la Woods, and not quite big or physical enough to be the Mike Williams/Dwayne Jarrett type, where maybe Prater steps in.

    Either way, he is a hard worker and runs good routes, and I am sure he will be successful somewhere.

  9. does that mean he could transfer to an FBS team if he waited until may – after the current semester has completed?

  11. I hate to see him leave. I have expected this and knew this was coming. This was a good kid that never really got a chance. I hate it when they bring these kids all the way across the country and then play the local kid. i.e they are maybe better. But just get real and stop this continental recruiting. I am glad to see him go and get a chance to play on the field every effin down in every effing game. Petey nor The Kiffer used this kids talents properly. John Morton the WR coach is leaving going to Niners also. So good time to use his “get out jail free” card

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