Class Capsule
When you consider how important linemen are for a program, it's hard to argue with USC's decision to take 10 in its recruiting class. Last year was a good example how valuable linemen are when the Trojans lost so many offensive linemen to injuries, including two on one play.
The mistake some people are making is to think it's an either/or proposition between linemen and skill players, etc. If Will Hill (Florida), Darrell Scott (Colorado), Patrick Johnson (LSU), Arthur Brown (Miami), Joe Adams (Arkansas) or Chris Polk (Washington) wanted to come to USC, there would be a scholarship.
On its own merit, this is an excellent class that at the same time lost out on some marquee recruits who would have made it a consensus top three class.
SW, I can't disagree to much with your take. Time will only tell how good this class really is, but right now its looks very solid. Losing out on a Joe Adams and Chris Polk does not hurt as much when you have a T.J. Bryant and D.J. Shoemate coming to town. Does it really matter that this is not considered a "quote" top three class? I don't think so. Again, it's not a matter of a situation like FUCLA, who are trying to fill needs and holes. This has been and will continue to be a case of "reloading". PC and his staff continue to do a great job on the recruiting field. Bring on 2008! Fight On!
I agree that SC is recruiting for need. When you look at the "glamour" positions like QB and RB, SC is loaded. Why would a QB or RB want to come to SC when they can go elsewhere and get playing time sooner. On offense we got the best OL recruiting class, a top tight end, and top receivers in Shoemate and Butler. On defense, we got great DTs and DEs, a top cornerback in TJ, and a top linebacker in Kauienga. The only school with a higher average player rating is ND.
TROJANAZ nailed it. For my money I base the recruiting class' quality by the average player rating. Otherwise, a school like the MIDGET-BEARS (ucla) can claim superiority because they brought in 25 to SC's 18.
Another factor is recruiting for need. SC needed quality big men on the OL and DL, and they got them. The rating was No. 1 or No. 2 (Ohio St had a great haul as well).
Finally, there are several hundred good high school football players every year, and one school cannot get them all. High profile programs such as LSU, Alabama, and Michigan are going to get their share. Winning consistently, however, comes down to coaching and luck i.e. keeping the boys healthy.
This is a dream come true class!
If Curtis McNeal was the only back SC had, he would lead the NCAA in rushing behind that offensive line!
They are going to be scary up front in a couple years!
But truth be told, none of these classes can really be ranked honestly till they graduate and you can look back to see what the did with the football experience.
Scott,
Is there any info on Kyle Long? He was being recruited by USC but was supposedly going to just play baseball. He would be another tremendous addition to the offensive line. Go Trojans!
oldargo.....there's a little company you may have heard of, Google. I googled him and he's going to Florida State for baseball.
TROJANAZ
I appreciate the info but that was reported 6 months ago and I was inquiring to see if Scott had heard anything about him changing his mind. ESPN was still listing him as a possibllity.
One report is:
"Pete Carroll Strikes Again
Over the years, Pete Carroll has been able to go outside of the state of California and recruit top prospects. Getting a player of Bryant’s caliber out of Tallahassee-Lincoln is a major coup for Carroll. Among other states, Carroll has been able to recruit top-talent from New Jersey, Louisiana, Tennessee, Hawaii, Utah, Washington, Michigan, Ohio, Arizona, Virginia and Georgia.
After a very nervous and quiet last two weeks of the recruiting season, this commitment serves notice that Pete Carroll still is winning the recruiting wars"