Bitter Feelings?
There are many logical reasons for Oaks Christian quarterback Jimmy Clausen to commit to Notre Dame, but several sources said it did not help matters for USC that friction existed between Clausen’s advisor, Steve Clarkson, and Trojans coach Pete Carroll.
According to sources, Clarkson became upset with Carroll during Pro Day, when the pair clashed over who would run quarterback Matt Leinart’s workout for NFL teams. (Yes, everything is related).
Clarkson is also an advisor to Leinart and when Leinart signed a deal with Creative Artists Agency in January, it was announced that CAA would also represent Air 7, which is Clarkson’s football academy.
In the end Clarkson supervised Leinart’s workout at Howard Jones Field, but bitterness remained over the incident and sources said from that point forward, Clausen would be advised to go to Notre Dame.
Comments
With Sanchez and Booty ahead of him, Clausen would have been crazy to matriculate at USC. Plus the the Trojans no longer feature a top quarterback guru, now that Chow is elsewhere. I mean, if you wanted to learn the position, would you want to be taught by Charlie Weiss or Steve Sarkisian? Bottom line, the friction between Clarkson and Carroll probably had little to do with the kid's decision.
Posted by: Ked | April 25, 2006 07:12 AM
whether it did or it didnt, i dont think made a bit of difference. the fact is why redshirt your first season at USC while Booty has one year left and Sanchez 3 and then still compete or wait for sanchez to exhaust his eligibility after his sophomore year. some kids like sanchez have the patience to wait around but obviously clausen wants to come in right away like Brian brohm and take over the team right away. but again this will not make a bit of difference because in 1-2years there will be another high profile kid available for USC to take.
Posted by: alpe(L.A.) | April 25, 2006 11:58 AM
Truly disgusting. When a guy like Clarkson can set the agenda, that is really scary.
Posted by: Enrique Arteaga | April 25, 2006 04:17 PM
Well, several people have been offering thoughts on Camarillo's Samson Szakacsy as if he may also be coming to SC, in which case Jimmy-boy may have realized there REALLY was too much competition.
Posted by: carter | April 25, 2006 05:16 PM
What about "Smilin'" Jimmy Clausen's parents house? Where do THEY live? Do they rent or own their own home? Did they buy it with a more favorable mortgage than regular people get? Jimmy's dad is a coach at Christian Oaks. Does he work elsewhere? What about Mrs. Clausen? How can they/Jimmy afford to fly all over, back and forth to South Bend, rent a limo, pay hotel bills, pay for Jimmy's own QB coach and own strength coach? Better look into all this, Wolfie!
Posted by: Trojan Pal | April 26, 2006 02:52 AM
I think Clausen's pass over of USC is a very good think. Clausen plays in D-11, yes he is not playing the likes of LB Poly or Mater Dei on a weekly basis. He is a very good player, but definitely not the best player in the country. I think this is more a product of bloodlines and being about 2 or 3 divisions two low. I think he is the next coming of Ron Paulus not Joe Montana.
Posted by: JC in SoCAL | April 26, 2006 09:54 AM