Aaron Corp supposedly gained 15 pounds but I haven't noticed it. He's going to have a full redshirt year to gain as much weight as possible and I'd say 20-25 pounds is realistic.

Should there be truth in reporting the background of people who work in the media? Don't you remember the Lauren Sanchez not actually graduating from USC controversy? No? I guess not. Or maybe we should trust anything in an official radio biography.

Did USC know Mitch Mustain might follow once Damian Williams transferred in December. Affirmative.

Do I believe with O.J. Mayo's national hype and a top 10 preseason ranking USC will draw bigger crowds?
I believe it's ludicrous to think USC is a top 10 team. Actually, I'm curious where you all think USC should finish in the Pac-10?
I'd say there's a chance the Trojans could finish anywhere from third to sixth. And if you look at the first six or seven games of the Pac-10 schedule, it's not stacked in their favor.
But I digress. The crowds will be big and big early. I suspect many near or complete sellouts. I recently heard that someone forked over $15,000 for five season tickets. That's more than football. Thanks O.J. Mayo.

Blake Ayles is projected as a tight end. But it's never wise to rule out a position switch with Pete Carroll.

A player has five years to play four seasons and can redshirt any of those years. To become a redshirt, a player cannot play in a single play of competition unless injured. If he is injured, he must not play in more than 20 percent of a team's games and not past the fourth game of the season.

If Pete Carroll leaves, it's impossible to say how it affects the QB competition because we don't know who the new coach will be. I'm sure someone like Jack Del Rio would have his own ideas offensively but would want to retain some semblance of the current offense because of the current tradition.

I don't think Washington will have a poor season or that Tyrone Willingham will be fired. He seems to have the program headed upward. But Steve Sarkisian is a logical candidate for a job of that magnitude, especially now that he turned down the Raiders.

I don't think Darrell Scott is seriously considering USC right now. I believe LSU and Florida are his top choices. If he stays close to home, the Trojans could jump back into the picture, but if Joe McKnight is playing a lot, that hurts USC's chances. So he's a real longshot at the moment.
I heard tonight rumblings that Scott might transfer to Westlake.

Pete Carroll being ranked No. 1 among active coaches isn't exactly earth shattering. Who else compares?
Karl Dorrell in the bottom five? While he might not quite grasp the whole idea of being a head coach, being called one of the five worst is a bit extreme. But he's a easy target for the media.

Greg Monroe is the No. 1 prospect in the nation in basketball. He is considering USC. LSU or Duke are more likely destinations for him but Tim Floyd is making a great effort and flew to Augusta, Ga., Thursday to watch Monroe play this weekend. USC is an outside choice.

Lodrick Stewart did not get drafted and is looking for an opportunity, whether overseas or here.

Versus has not announced it broadcasting teams but it might just keep Fox Sports announcers for its games.
The next commissioner of the Pac-10 could be anyone. Sometimes, a big conference hires a commissioner from a conference that isn't quite as big. For example, the SEC hired Mike Slive from Conference USA. Whoever they hire isn't likely to be as savvy as Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese (hired from within) or the Big Ten's Jim Delany, who has become a major national force.

Damian Williams has not spent much time at practices because of injuries but he's blended in fine. He does live alone after earlier rooming with Martin Coleman but some players prefer not to have roommates. He and Mitch Mustain remain close and were spotted at Chipotle Mexican Grill a couple nights ago by our spies.

Malcolm Smith is an ideal redshirt candidate but that remains to be seen. With USC so deep at linebacker, he should redshirt and then become a contributor at outside linebacker. But a year ago, Vincent Joseph fit the profile of a redshirt but played special teams. Smith could help on special teams and might be able to play fullback, but Jordan Campbell's already made that switch and if USC needed another freshman, I'd go with Chris Galippo.

It's sometimes difficult to identify anyone at USC as lesser known, because you guys follow everyone. But Shareece Wright might be a lesser known corner who could contribute. The coaches mention safety Mozique McCurtis. I continue to think safety Marshall Jones, not exactly lesser known I realize, has the potential to become a key performer.

Nose tackle Averill Spicer will be asked to become a contributor this season. But don't forget Lawrence Jackson can slip inside, something that might be tried if Everson Griffen lives up to his hype.

The fact I was the first reporter to write Mitch Mustain would transfer to USC does not mean I fed into the extreme interest surrounding his transfer. I merely reported the news and assume most of you are grateful when I write who might transfer.
The incredible interest on this blog (and other sites) in Mustain does mystify me. I'd like to see him throw a pass first at USC before the constant drumbeat about him started. I interviewed Mustain this week because I thought the readers would want to hear more about him.

I haven't noticed if the national media is keeping track O.J. Mayo's leadership qualities yet. Actually, I try to avoid the national media. Internet geeks and national media: Two groups to avoid for those of you out there wishing to become a sportswriter.
Mayo's been anything but a problem child. In fact, I heard he's become a good locker room monitor to make sure no one is hanging around that isn't supposed to be there.

John Morton's not a loud, obnoxious type, so he's blended in well to the staff. The NCAA's Oklahoma decision shows there are no sacred cows out there, so maybe if they can get some evidence, USC could receive real penalties. But I've always thought the NCAA will not throw the book at USC unless it has bulletproof evidence. That's the hard part.

Vidal Hazelton is penciled in to start opposite Patrick Turner but I would say it's not a No. 2 pencil, more like an etching pencil.

I'll address the offensive line recruiting over the weekend. As for defensive tackle, Jurrell Casey is considered a lock for USC right now and