What Happened With Wilson?
Why did offensive lineman James Wilson decommit and go to Florida? We hear Wilson became disenchanted at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl when all the USC recruits were on the West team while he played on the East team with the Florida recruits (the Gators had five commits playing).
Another influential person was Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who also considered USC a year ago. Tebow helped convince Wilson to change his mind and the rest is history.
Mr. Wilson is going to miss a NC or two NOT to mention the class and camaraderie of being a Trojan. To say I attended the same university that Marion Morrison* among others is very, very special.
*Have you ever heard of that big lineman named The Duke, John Wayne. I got you Glk and 66! Don't even try!
Kind of wierd Scott. Why would Wilson want to go away from a group of guys that apparrently kicked his and his teammates collective asses in that Army game? Galippo and Everson Griffin ran rough shod over, through and around the OL of the East All Stars. I think that PC doing all of that drama with the Miami Dolphins was what really could have swayed him..or at least got him thinking that Carrol might not actually be around for him during his whole college career, so he played it safe and went with Urban Meyer and stayed close to home in the process. Just a thought "pilgrim".
Also influencing Wilson's decision was Tebow's father (who happens to be Wilson's pastor) who convinced him to pray on decommitting from the Trojans and joining his son at Florida. Another influence was his mother, who kicked him out of her house when he originally announced for the Trojans. I wish James the best, but anyone who thinks this was James' decision alone doesn't have the full story.
Whatever happened this sucks we needed that guy... we don't have alot of guards. Jeff Byers is about our only quality backup, besides mr. "I can't get a 2.0 GPA" Spanos. wearesc.com lists Howell as the starting center so what is going to happen to O'Dowd? Is Malu really going to start? Who will take Sartz' spot? Clay Matthews??
I am going to mosey up to the bar for a whiskey pilgrim..
Obviously, whoever is listed as the top of the depth chart now, won't necessarily be there at the end.
O'Dowd will be given a chance to start I'm sure.
Butch Lewis could get a look at guard. Regardless, having three linemen returning puts us in better position than last year.
66 - Please take a second to remind yourself that even if Howell is listed as the starting center, it doesn't mean that O'Dowd will be sitting on the bench for 4 years. I'm sure he will be given ample opportunity to make his case for the starting job, and if he begins next year (his true freshman year) on the bench, it's probably because he didn't earn the job. And yes, Clay Matthews is probably in the running to replace Sartz. So is Luthur Brown, I would imagine.
Please remove your finger from the panic button.
Greg B:
What about Galippo?