Scott Wolf: February 2012 Archives

Surprised that San Diego State already kicked tailback Dillon Baxter off the team?

USC guard Jio Fontan, who is sitting out this season after tearing knee ligaments during an exhibition game in Brazil, said he probably will not play a lot of games in the offseason.
``I haven't had too many great experiences with summer basketball,'' Fontan said.

Because so many commenters here seem to be UCLA fans, here's the link to the Sports Illustrated story. Feel free to discuss.

Time for more questions. One per person please.

Because it is early it seems like out-of-state recruits are already getting a lot of scholarship offers. Defensive tackle Derrick Calloway of Bradenton,Fla., is another example. Calloway is semi-local, however, because he started high school at Narbonne High in Harbor City, Calif.

Because many of you asked, USC is still planning to give out 2,000 Maurice Jones bobbleheads at Saturday's basketball home finale against Washington State.
UPDATED: Who dyed Jones' hair for the bobblehead?

A couple topics. What is more disappointing? A six-win USC basketball team or a 16-win UCLA team? And should the schools agree to ban alternate uniforms for the crosstown rivalry? USC considered one last year while UCLA wore its all-white alternate.

Here's a couple different mock drafts where Nick Perry goes anywhere from 15-31 and Matt Kalil stays in the top 3.

With the combine winding down, it looks like defensive end Nick Perry helped himself but tailback Marc Tyler and linebacker Chris Galippo struggled. Defensive tackle DaJohn Harris will need a good Pro Day because he skipped most of the drills. Defensive tackle Christian Tupou and fullback Rhett Ellison were static while offensive tackle Matt Kalil's retained his status as a top 3 pick.

A high school coach from San Bernardino County said USC defensive line coach Ed Orgeron swapped Orange County for the Inland Empire as his new recruiting area. That reflects the large number of college prospects, especially on defense, from that region this year. Running backs coach Kennedy Pola will handle Orange County this season.

USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil's been the No. 2 pick in many mock drafts but there is a lot of buzz that teams, including the Seahawks, might move up to the second pick and select Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Ironically, teams might trade up now because they don't think they can wait a year and get the top pick next year, which could be USC quarterback Matt Barkley.

USC linebacker Chris Galippo ran a 4.66 in the 40 to go with his benchpress of 19 reps of 225 pounds. Defensive end Nick Perry excelled with a 4.5 40, which should ease concerns about his added bulk (6-3, 271). Perry is now considered a near-lock for the first round.
Defensive tackle DaJohn Harris did not participate. Defensive tackle Christian Tupou did 30 reps on the benchpress.

During last weekend's coaches' clinic at USC, Coach Lane Kiffinn thanked new wide receivers coach Tee Martin (a former Tennessee QB) for supplanting him as the most hated man in Tennessee.

Defensive end Nick Perry is intriguing teams at the NFL combine because he showed up at a larger-than-expected 271 pounds but also did well with 35 reps on the benchpress (225 pounds) that raised his stock. Teams are wondering now if Perry will only be able to play in a 4-3 defense or if he will also be agile enough to play in a 3-4.

Here is this week's ballot for the AP Top 25 basketball poll:

Here is a look at USC football recruit Nelson Agholor's athleticism as he dunks on an opponent.

USC tailback Marc Tyler ran a disappointing time of 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Fullback Rhett Ellison ran 4.79, which is around the mid-area times for tight ends at the combine.

The Trojans improved to 7-0 as Alex Sherrod hit a grand slam. USC is off to its best start since 1988.

It can be dangerous business criticizing someone else's Top 25 ballot. You might look really foolish, as a ``national expert'' does today because in late October he clumsily mocked my preseason No. 3-ranking for Kansas. (Link here).
Here's the key passages: ``Kansas at No. 3? Seriously? Kansas might not finish in the top three of the Big 12.''
I'll take the high road and refrain from making light of that sentence.
And later: ``I texted (Kansas coach Bill) Self, told him one voter had his team ranked ahead of North Carolina and asked for his thoughts on said voter. "He's nuts," Self replied, and that sums it up pretty well.''
Lucky for me I don't have to suck up to Self and can vote teams where I feel they should be. Sometimes it looks smart. Sometimes it does not.
On Saturday, No. 4-ranked Kansas defeated No. 3-ranked Missouri and is poised to be ranked third this week. Maybe someone can ask Self if I'm still nuts.

USC is 6-0 after a 10-2 victory over Akron. If the Trojans win Sunday, they will be off to their best start 1988, when they started 15-0. Pitcher Ben Mount struck out 8 in 7 innings.

Utah squeaked out a victory over Stanford and now leads USC by two games in the Pac-12 basketball standings following the Trojans' 56-52 loss to Arizona State. If would the Trojans finish 12th, they play the fifth-place team in the Pac-12. That would be Oregon if the season ended today.

Matt Kalil ran the 40 in 4.99 seconds, the third-fastest time among offensive linemen. Kalil was one of only three linemen to break the five-second barrier.

Here are some more weights and measurements for USC players at the NFL combine:

DaJohn Harris 6-3, 306
Nick Perry 6-3 271
Christian Tupou 6-2, 289
Chris Galippo 6-1 241

USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil measured 6-6.5 and 306 pounds at the NFL combine. He also benchpressed 225 pounds a very respectable 31 times.
Tailback Marc Tyler measured 5-11, 219 pounds. Fullback Rhett Ellison was 6-5, 251 pounds, which should convince teams to move him to his natural position of tight end.

USC point guard Maurice Jones missed 30 of 39 shots in USC's past three games.

Pete Carroll was asked about his infamous 2009 press conference remarks regarding Mark Sanchez during today's media session at the NFL combine.
``Mark's had a great start to his career,'' Carroll said. ``He's an extraordinary quarterback and kid, and there's nothing to hold him (back) from being a really big-time player.''

The big question when coaches get to visit high schools is whether Ed Orgeron ever crosses paths with Adrian Klemm. It might rival the infamous Orgeron-Gary Bernardi meeting in Santa Clarita that nearly resulted in an altercation.

More reader questions on a warm Friday.

In this segment, a question about defensive tackle.

Our Wednesday list of 2013 prospects offered scholarships by USC included four players from Georgia. But there is now a fifth: Tailback Alvin Kamara of Norcross, Ga.

USC is doing a banner job giving away bobbleheads this year. The first 1,500 fans at Saturday's women's basketball game receive a Michael Cooper bobblehead. Unlike the original, the bobblehead does not moonlight for Channel 7, lose to Nikki Caldwell or fail to make the NCAA Tournament.

USC officially announced the hiring of wide receivers coach Tee Martin. The full press release is after the jump:
``We are extremely fortunate to make Tee Martin the final addition to our coaching staff,'' said Lane Kiffin. ``Not only does he bring instant credibility as a national championship quarterback, but he has grown into a nationally-recognized coach and recruiter. We look forward to him taking our record-breaking receivers to an even higher level.''

Here's a brief article on Matt Kalil's session with the media at the NFL combine.

With the NFL combine underway, here's the NFL.com link to follow coverage.

USC was one four Pac-12 schools (Arizona, Cal, Colorado) that voted in favor of an override of proposal to offer athletes multi-year scholarships. Perhaps the 15-scholarship limit influenced USC's vote.

Any guess on which school will have more commitments by April 1?

When USC coach Kevin O'Neill was in Chicago last weekend, he saw small forward Jabari Parker, rated the No. 2 player in the nation for 2013 by Rivals.com.

Just a day before Lane Kiffin said he patched things up with Urban Meyer, a Pac-12 coach told me Meyer was probably the most arrogant coach he knew based on personal dealings with him.
Which is precisely why Kiffin and Meyer clashed in the SEC. Kiffin went out of his way to be arrogant and Meyer already owned that dept. (along with Nick Saban). But Kiffin is trying to be conciliatory at USC, so it is time to patch things up.
At least until USC and Ohio State go down to the wire on the same recruit.

Time to see who the top NFL draft prospects are with Matt Kalil at No. 3.

Time for more reader questions. One per person please.

A former teammate said USC tailback Amir Carlisle transferred to Notre Dame instead of Purdue because his father, who works at Purdue, did not think it was good enough.

Here are the USC players participating in this week's NFL combine:

Rhett Ellison, TE
Chris Galippo, LB
DaJohn Harris, DT
Matt Kalil, OT
Nick Perry, DE
Christian Tupou, DT
Marc Tyler, RB, USC

A reader wanted to know a depth chart for the linebacker position:

OLB: Deon Bailey, Tre Madden
MLB: Lamar Dawson, Scott Starr
OLB: Hayes Pullard, Jabari Ruffin, Anthony Sarao

Here is a list of some of the 2013 recruits already offered scholarships by USC:

S Su'a Cravens (pictured)
DE Robert Nkemdiche
QB Max Browne
CB Priest Willis
CB Vernon Hargreaves III
LB Michael Hutchings
TB Ty Isaac
TB Greg Bryant
S Max Redfield
WR Laquon Treadwell
S Leon McQuay III
DT Montravius Adams
LB Jaylon Smith
TB Justin Davis
WR Ahmad Fulwood
RB Derrick Green
DT Justin Manning
DE Joe Mathis
DE Carl Lawson
RB Tyshon Dye

Lane Kiffin said he and Urban Meyer are no longer adversaries in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
``Yeah, I'm glad Urban and I are where we are in our relationship. When you're young, you make some mistakes. We've moved forward from that. Who would've guessed we are back at battling each other for recruits even though we're a long ways away? I have tremendous respect for what Urban Meyer does.''

Tee Martin's move from Kentucky to USC is not just smart because of the huge pay bump and marquee program he is joining. Kentucky coach Joker Phillips is on the hot seat next season so leaving now eliminates the chance he would be out of a job in December.

In this segment, a reader asks about a line of argument used against UCLA fans.

USC OT Matt Kalil ranks as the No. 1 prospect at his position while Nick Perry is fifth in Mike Mayock's pre-combine position rankings.

TIme to answer a few reader questions.

A familiar face at this week's NFL Combine is former USC quarterback Aaron Corp, who started for Richmond last season. Corp must prove his knee is fully recovered from a season-ending injury in 2010.
He did not walk for six weeks following surgery but came back and passed for 2,682 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. Corp is one of only two players from the Colonial Athletic Assn. invited to the combine.

A slimmed-down Marc Tyler is leading some NFL scouts to believe he could be a sleeper at the NFL combines.

We will hold a live chat today here.

San Diego State opens spring practice Tuesday and we hear former USC tailback Dillon Baxter's already had some punctuality issues. That will not surprise anyone inside the USC program.

Here is this week's ballot for thel AP basketball poll:

USC freshman Garrett Stubbs played catcher, third base, center field and left field in this weekend's series against Jacksonville.

Designated hitter Brandon Garcia homered again and freshman pitched Wyatt Strahan got his first victory as the Trojans started the season with a three-game sweep of Jacksonville.

USC's Pro Day is March 7. That does not please USC players working out for NFL teams because it gives them barely more than a week following the NFL Combine to prepare for their second audition.

Sophomore forward Cassie Harberts scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Trojans to a sweep of the Bruins before 2,931 at the Galen Center. Harberts made 12-17 free throws.
USC is now 14-11 overall and 8-6 in the Pac-12. UCLA is 12-13, 7-7.

Does Caesar want Peyton Manning to play QB for the Seahawks next season?

Will new USC wide receivers coach Tee Martin be able to return to Knoxville or is he persona non grata for aligning himself with Lane Kiffin? At least we already know secondary coach Marvin Sanders has no intention of returning to Nebraska.

Designated hitter Brandon Garcia homered and drove in three runs while right fielder Alex Sherrod went 2 for 4 with two RBI as the Trojans improved to 2-0 with an 11-3 victory over Jacksonville at Dedeaux Field. Starting pitcher Ben Mount allowed three hits in six innings and struck out five.

In this segment, a question about whether Dion Bailey should play cornerback.

More reader questions answered here.

Pitcher Andrew Treggs allowed two runs and Adam Landecker went 3 for 3 as the Trojans defeated Jacksonville in their season opener 8-2 at Dedeaux Field.

USC is picked to finish 8th in the Pac-12 baseball poll heading into tonight's season-opener with Jacksonville. Senior pitcher Andrew Treggs starts for the Trojans.

In this segment, the issue of whether a school needs to honor scholarship offers arises.

Back to the questions from readers.

USC's linebacker recruits are ranked first in the Pac-12 by Rivals.com. Here's the full position rankings.

How would you allocate USC's 18 scholarships next season? I give a try doing it in this segment.

A couple Friday thoughts: When the coaches want D.J. Morgan to improve his lateral quickness, does that mean they won't complain if he runs side-to-side this season?
USC obviously wants to sign two tailbacks and top-rated Ty Isaac of Joliet, Illi., is expected to attend the spring scrimmage at the Coliseum in April.

USC coach Kevin O'Neill is in Las Vegas today recruiting.

It might be time to start a pool on when USC will actually announce it hired three assistant coaches? Maybe they are too busy with the constant announcements of the upcoming coaches' clinic.

The pressure is on Michael Cooper now after the USC men's basketball team lost to UCLA. Or to modify the topic, was there any reason to care if you were a USC or UCLA fan? Two teams worth forgettable.

USC opens its baseball season tomorrow with a three-game series against Jacksonville at Dedeaux Field. Before Sunday's game, the first pitch will be thrown by the 103-year-old great, great grandfather of freshman Nigel Nootbaar.

With the coaching staff complete, one odd aspect is the way Lane Kiffin never mentioned Sammy Knight throughout the process. Knight was good enough to be a graduate assistant and ably coached the secondary after Willie Mack Garza got fired. But he became invisible when Kiffin discussed his plans for the job. It was similar to last year when then-graduate assistant Keary Colbert did not get mentioned for the wide receivers job.

The USC basketball team was generally pleased with its effort in a 64-54 loss to UCLA. USC (6-21) is on pace to break the school record for losses (22 in 1989).

Here's forward Garrett Jackson on tonight's game: ``We were playing really scrappy. We just really have to work on our outside shooting. Greg Allen picked it up, especially near the end. He hit some big shots. You just have to keep grinding, fighting and finish strong.
``We've got lots of pride.''

Here is what new USC wide receivers coach Tee Martin, who played at Tennessee, wrote in a Sporting News column on Lane Kiffin's departure two years ago:
``Frankly, I'm embarrassed by the timing of it all. Lane Kiffin was hired to do a job for the University of Tennessee. He wanted everyone to buy into what he was selling, and then he left after one year.
``Lane is a West Coast guy. I don't think he was ever at Tennessee 100 percent,'' Martin wrote. ``He used to coach at USC, he knows the players USC recruits and he is familiar with the high school coaches there in Los Angeles. So it doesn't really surprise me that he would leave for USC. It's the timing of it.''
Full column here.

We tweeted this morning that there was a lot of buzz at Heritage Hall about Tee Martin being hired as wide receivers coach. Now it is official. Martin is best known for playing quarterback at Tennessee. So Lane Kiffin's coaching tree contiinues to cast a narrow focus.

OK, time for predictions on the crosstown rivalry, Sports Arena edition. I still prefer a Kiffin-Mora boxing match at halftime to the game.

Here is NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock on where he ranks USC defensive end Nick Perry: ``I've got him as my No. 5 defensive end in this draft. I think he was up and down this year as a USC player. The combine will help because a bit of athletic freak. games where I thought he was first-round pick and games where inconsistency made him a second-or- third round pick.''

Here's some comments from NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock on USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil.
``Kalil is a wonderfully gifted left tackle. He has great feet and long arms. What he doesn't have yet is core strength that you look for. Every once in a while gets bull rushed. But he ulmitealy will be an exceptional pass protector.''
And here is Mayock on ASU linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
``I came away unimpressed. his instincts aren't good. he gets enveloped by big bodies. for a big strong guy, he's not as good at the point of attack as i thought he would be. I don't see first round at all.''

Monte Kiffin defending the spread and defensive tackle depth are depth are topics here.

That is where the Trojans' recruiting class ended up being ranked by Athlon.

Time for more answers to reader questions.

Imagine the basketball team USC could field tonight if not for early departures, Mike Garrett, threat of probation, etc. The Trojans would have a Final Four-caliber team led by forward Derrick Williams (pictured).
Here's my look at the full squad, which also includes DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.

Former USC defensive lineman Kenechi Udeze was hired by the Seattle Seahawks as a coaching intern for the defensive line.

USC was unable to practice at the Sports Arena today because of a Pac-12 rule that says you can only practice at a visiting site the day before when it is the second game of the week. If USC practiced at the Sports Arena, it would be considered a compliance violation against UCLA.

The "big" basketball game is tomorrow night. A larger crowd would turn out see Lane Kiffin and Jim Mora go three rounds.

USC was going to return to the Sports Arena for practice today but instead switched to the Galen Center.

Time for more questions. One per peson please.

Former USC forward Leonard Washington averages 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds as a redshirt junior at Wyoming.

Is USC done offering quarterbacks from the 2013 recruiting class? The Trojans have already offered Cody Thomas of Colleyville, Texas, and Max Browne of Sammamish, Wash.
Will that be it for offers in the 15-scholarship era?

One of USC's biggest recruiting need next year is defensive tackle but over the weekend the Trojans did not offer Eddie Vanderdoes of Placerville, Calif. With 15 scholarships, there is a feeling the Trojans need more evaluation time at spots that are more difficult to gauge and defensive tackle is considered perhaps the toughest position to project in college.

On Signing Day USC coach Lane Kiffin said he encouraged wide receiver Marqise Lee to play basketball. When a fan asked Kiffin to send some football players to help the basketball team Sunday, however, Kiffin replied, "they might get hurt."

More reader questions!

USC offered a scholarship to tailback Justin Davis of Stockton, who is ranked one of the nation's top 100 players (48th) for 2013 by Rivals.com. The Trojans also offered QB Max Browne of Sammamish, Wash., ranked the No. 8 player in the nation.

No surprise that recruiting continues to be a dominant topic for the readers.

Former USC safety Mark Carrier, who was a candidate for the secondary job, left the Jets to become the secondary coach for the Bengals. Former USC wide receiver Delvaughn Alexander was recently hired as receivers coach at Arizona State.

USC assistant coach Bob Cantu will speak to fans and boosters today at noon in the Founders Room at the Galen Center. Cantu is filling in for USC coach Kevin O'Neill, who is recruiting.

Here is this week's ballot for the Associated Press poll.

That was Lane Kiffin's famous comment when asked two years ago about who he would hire as assisant coaches. Apparently, that means going to North Dakota State and Florida Atlantic for coaches now.

``We had our chances obviously. We only turned it over 9 times. We wear down toward the end of games. They played 12 guys tonight. They've got depth,'' USC coach Kevin O'Neill said after Stanford's 59-47 victory. ``We've just got to keep fighting.''
Stanford won its first-game ever at the Galen Center.

Lane Kiffin just spent a few minutes at the basketball game before an official said he left with a security escort. Must have needed to ward off the hundreds of people in attendance.
Kiffin declined to comment on his new coaching hires.

USC coach Lane Kiffin hired Scottie Hazelton of North Dakota State to be the Trojans' linebackers coach. This definitely reeks of a Pete Carroll recommendation because Hazelton worked Seahawks defensive coordinator Casey Bradley. Which folIlows the theory I mentioned yesterday about Kiffin having few connections outside of Carroll and his father, Monte Kiffin.
Hazelton also coached at Michigan Tech, Missouri Southern State and St. Olaf College. How many of those schools have you heard of before?

Former Nebraska secondary coach Marvin Sanders accepted a similar position with USC, according to sources. Sanders left Nebraska under strained circumstances last year, which were apparently not an issue for Lane Kiffin, who nearly hired Sanders during last season when Willie Mack Garza was fired.

Here's an early look at the offensive line depth chart.

With three home games left, it is getting difficult to find another victory on USC's basketball schedule. The Trojans' best chance might today when they host Stanford at the Galen Center at 4:30 p.m.
Why? Stanford are in a late-season swoon with five losses in their past six games.

Should Lane Kiffin have signed three more players or keep the scholarships for midyear recruits?

In this segment a look at USC's defensive line depth chart.

When Willie Mack Garza was fired last fall, we mentioned that Lane Kiffin considered hiring former Nebraska coach Marvin Sanders. We're hearing more buzz now that Sanders is a strong candidate again.

Former USC linebacker Rey Maualuga was involved in yet another altercation at a Cincinnati bar.

Next Wednesday is a time for nostalgia as USC returns to the Sports Arena to face the Bruins. But enough about that. Who thinks Lane Kiffin and Jim Mora will despise each other next year?

A USC official told me last night he believe Lane Kiffin would have a complete coaching staff by the start of spring practice. If past history is a guide, candidates usually break into a few categories: They worked with Monte Kiffin. They worked with Pete Carroll. They have connections to Kiffin's alma mater, Fresno State.

Lee Sampson, the head press supervisor in the press box and at the press table at USC football and basketball games since the mid-1970s, died last night.
He had been battling serious health issues in recent months. Sampson was a fixture at USC games and worked the Rose Bowl game for several decades. He is survived by wife Valerie and children Leonard and Lisa.

USC coach Kevin O'Neill told his players to stay away from the Galen Center today to give them a day away from basketball because the Trojans do not play again until Sunday.

Lane Kiffin's new office in the nearly completed John McKay Center features a balcony that overlooks Howard Jones Field. Perhaps Kiffin can watch spring practices and interview coaching staff candidates from his office next month.

USC guard Maurice Jones, who scored 17 points, admitted frustration from another loss.
``There was a level of frustration a long time ago,'' he said. ``It feels like a rerun. My spirit is always high though because I'm playing for pride.''

USC coach Kevin O'Neill stressed to the Trojans that even with six scholarship players, none of the Pacific-12 Conference will feel sympathy for them.
``(Cal coach) Mike Montgomery is a good friend of mine. He doesn't feel sorry for us,'' O'Neill said. ``(Stanford coach) Johnny Dawkins doesn't feel sorry for us. (UCLA coach) Ben Howland doesn't feel sorry for us.

Cal forward Harper Kamp is 9-11 from the field so far. USC forward Garrett Jackson is 2-14.

Time to pick the winner of tonight's USC-Cal game. Who else likes the Trojans in an upset?

Tim McDonald, the father of safety Tim McDonald, would be a good choice for the secondary position. He tried to get hired by Pete Carroll and has strong recruiting ties to the San Joaquin Valley. And of course, he is a former USC safety himself.

Who will have a higher ranked recruiting class next season? USC despite scholarship limitations? UCLA with its new coaching staff?

USC's tailback depth and recruiting dominate this segment.

Lane Kiffin said he wanted to start spring practice in early March because the Trojans did not play in a bowl game. But with three vacancies on the coaching staff, he might regret it now.
He can get by without a full staff in spring but those practices help the new coaches become familiar with what he wants and the team as well. That is why I won't be surprised if Nick Holt emerges as a linebackers' candidate. He already knows the system.
At wide receiver, Kiffin told Keary Colbert a year ago he did not consider him a candidate for the position. So he would have to do a 180-degree turn there.

Time for more reader answers.

There are seven uncommitted tailbacks in Rivals.com's list of its Top 100 players in 2013. USC's offered three of those tailbacks (Ty Isaac, Greg Bryant, Derrick Green. One of those not offered yet is Justin Davis, who is from Stockton, Calif. But I suspect he will be eventually.
The top-rated tailback, Thomas Tyner of Beaverton, Ore., is already committed to Oregon.

In this segment, recruiting questions dominate.

Rivals.com released its top 100 players for 2013 and USC commit Kenny Bigelow is ranked No. 6.

USC wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore resigned Tuesday to join the Raiders in a similar position. Ironically, Gilmore turned down the Raiders in 2007 when Kiffin tried to hire him.
More important, Kiffin's now got three openings on his coaching staff: Wide receivers, defensive backs and linebackers. That's a tall order with spring practice less than a month away. I think it is also important to point out if Sammy Knight is not going to be the secondary coach, the Trojans currently have no African-American full-time assistant coaches.

The Chicago Bears hired Jeremy Bates today as quarterbacks coach. Now it might just seem like a terrible hire on the surface. But there is a method to this madness. Bates was Jay Cutler's ``guy'' in Denver. The Bears want Cutler to be happy. So they hired Bates as QB coach. It's not like he will get to call plays or anything.
UPDATED: I forgot to warn Chicago staff to prepare for the arrival of Mr. Coffee, my nickname for Bates, who demanded three cups of coffee (not one, not two, not four) before every game, which forced USC to take a coffee maker on road trips.

I've mentioned Nick Holt as a candidate for the USC linebackers job. Not because I endorse it. But because it makes sense from Lane Kiffin's view. They worked together at USC. Holt is out of work and needs some image enhancement. He could be brought in without the illusion he would become the next defensive coordinator. And Kiffin would not offend another school by taking away a coach.

Lane Kiffin reached out to former USC assistant Rocky Seto for the defensive backs position. But Seto said he would stay with the Seahawks. That is not surprising because Kiffin gave Seto the cold shoulder when Kiffin got hired two years ago.

So much for the conventional wisdom that the Trojans will be ranked No. 2 as this poll places them first.

Here are the USC players invited to the NFL Combine:
Rhett Ellison, FB, USC
Chris Galippo, LB, USC
DaJohn Harris, DL, USC
Matt Kalil, OL, USC
Nick Perry, DL, USC
Christian Tupou, DL, USC
Marc Tyler, RB, USC

With the defensive backs coaching position open, a name to keep an eye on is New York Jets assistant Mark Carrier, a former USC safety.

Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron was named one of Rivals.com's top 25 recruiters. Personally I'm shocked he didn't sign 2-3 defensive tackles with three extra scholarships.

During our live chat someone asked what number WR Darreus Rogers would wear next season? We asked around and heard Rogers is supposed to wear No. 1, which Lane Kiffin gave a special designation because Mike Williams wore it.

What is more likely? D.J. Foster gets out of letter of intent with ASU and goes to USC? Or Joe Barry changes mind and tells Chargers he will stay with USC?

Here is the full statement from the Pac-12 regarding the extension of Larry Scott's contract.

Here is this week's ballot for the AP basketball poll. It's a good year for the underdog when St. Mary's and Murray State make the top 11.

We will have a live chat today at 12 p.m. (PST).

What was so great about the San Diego Chargers to Joe Barry?
He is going to work for Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano, the younger brother of new Colts coach Chuck Pagano. John and Chuck are the sons of legendary Colorado high school coach Sam Pagano.
Joe Barry played for Sam at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colo.

Time to answer those post-recruiting questions. One per person please.

Finally finishing up the reader forum.

Time for some Super Sunday answers.

Time to make Super Bowl predictions. Giants or Patriots?

Garrett Jackson scored 15 points and Byron Wesley 12 but the Trojans shot 29 percent and 1-16 on 3-pointers. Guards Greg Allen and Maurice Jones were a combined 5-26 from the field.

Time to answer reader questions.

If Lane Kiffin wanted to hire someone other than Sammy Knight as the secondary coach, he should have hired Demetrice Martin before he left Washington for UCLA. Maybe Kiffin did not want to take a coach away from Steve Sarkisian but I doubt there is any gentleman's agreement there.
Would Kiffin hire Nick Holt as linebackers' coach? The pair got along when they were at USC. Although Holt and Pete Carroll fell out after Holt went to Washington, Kiffin was not involved in that drama. So maybe Holt will be a candidate for a third tour at USC.

USC's reduced recruiting class still ranked in the top 5 by position at offensive line and wide receiver according to Rivals.com.

Two thoughts on USC linebackers coach Joe Barry going to the San Diego Chargers. USC obviously wanted Barry to wait until after Signing Day. And Barry's heart clearly was with the NFL. When he joined Kiffin's staff, one of the reasons cited was the fear of an NFL lockout, which would cost him financially.

Was Lane Kiffin smart to save 3 scholarships for the midyear or should he have given them out this week?

Lane Kiffin said during his Signing Day press conference that USC never had a chance with DT Ellis McCarthy because his father liked UCLA. That said, USC privately thought it could land McCarthy up until a couple weeks before Signing Day.
Another interesting comment was that USC lost offensive linemen to Stanford because the Cardinal play between 6-8 linemen per game instead of 5.
Maybe USC should adopt a similar policy. Few of last year's starters exactly locked down spots to the point where they need not share time. So why not rotate a series or two a game? I wouldn't have minded seeing Aundrey Walker a series a game last season.

USC signed 12 players but the class originally included lineman Arik Armstead before he decommitted when his family became upset that his older brother could get medically cleared.
``I don't really have anything to say,'' Kiffin said.

USC's quest for tailbacks in next year's recruiting class includes a scholarship offer to tailback Greg Bryant of Delray Beach, Fla.

Here is the full list of Phil Steele's top 100 players. Interestingly, DE Leonard WIlliams was only 72nd and Lane Kiffin talked about him with the most enthusiasm yesterday.

Who wants to debate who had the better recruiting class?

USC might be the team with the widest array of opinion. Here's three major recrtuiting rankings:
Rivals
7. USC

ESPN
13. USC

Scout
20. USC

I have said before that exceptional recruiting class needs only 5-6 impact players. So on that score USC's current class can meet that standard.

Tailbacks and defensive tackles. Those are what USC needs in next year's 18-member recruiting class. One other note: USC can take transfers this off season as long as it does not push it over the 75-scholarship limit.

Here's a story on defensive lineman Pia Vatuvei's late switch from USC to Washington.
``I spent (Tuesday) night focusing on USC and Washington, and I felt good this morning making my call,'' Vatuvei said. ``I'll be a defensive end at UW. It excites me because Tosh is a defensive line coach who sent two of his ends into the NFL the last two years.''

Here is my recap of USC's Signing Day with reaction from Lane Kiffin and a look at the top 5 players in the class.

Lane Kiffin chided athletic director Pat Haden because two recruits he made home visits to did not sign with the Trojans.
``We were in first place with (Andrus) Peat and (Kyle) Murphy and we lost them,'' Kiffin joked.
Haden good-naturedly took the blame.
``I'm fired, thank goodness,'' he said. ``I didn't come through.''

USC did not sign a defensive tackle and lost both starters from last season (Christian Tupou, DaJohn Harris). Recruit Leonard Williams is supposed to be an end.
The Trojans have only four tackles on their roster for next year (George Uko, J.R. Tavai, Antwuan Woods, Christian Heyward). Sounds like a big concern heading into next season.

Lane Kiffin said he would not sign anyone else in this class and keep the three unused scholarships for the mid-year break. So that must mean wide receiver Stefon Diggs is not interested in the Trojans.
Can you imagine USC telling Diggs no if he wanted to commit next week?

Lane Kiffin raved today about defensive end Leonard Williams, who was one of the rare recruits Kiffin mentioned by name.
``Leonard is so unique,'' Kiffin said.

Lane Kiffin said quarterback Cyler Miles called USC and that is how the Trojans started recruiting him. Perhaps that should be a lesson for next year's recruits. If USC is not recruiting you, call them.

``There's a reality side to it. Our starting pitcher pitched six great innings and got our bullpen got rocked.''

With all the 4-star and 5-star commitments, it's been hard to fault Lane Kiffin with a limited recruiting class. But I'm seeing a pattern develop that is hurting on some recruits. Kiffin's tardiness going after some recruits is costing him a bit.
I know offensive tackle Kyle Murphy was unimpressed how long it took USC to recruit him while Stanford went all-out from Day 1. That's why the Cardinal landed him this afternoon.
Another example is quarterback Cyler Miles, who painfully delayed his announcement today as he was torn between Washington and USC before choosing the Huskies. Do you think he would go to Washington if USC started recruiting him more than four weeks ago?
And then the most famous case: USC ignored Marqise Lee for several months because it could not decide if it wanted him. Fortunately for the Trojans, Lee didn't care because he always wanted to go to USC.

Signing Day is getting out of hand. Exhibit A is Jordan Payton, who committed to 4 schools (USC, Cal, Washington, UCLA). Exhibit B is Cyler Miles, who did not announce this morning and then announced he would attend Washington over USC in a hastily arranged press conference in his high school gym.
I'm with Kirk Herbstreit, who bemoaned all the hype and skits and hat-picking ceremonies today. And he even blamed ESPN for contributing to it.

USC is waiting for Cyler Miles (who just spoke to USC coaches), Kyle Murphy and Darreus Rogers to announce. Miles is going down to the wire. Murphy favors Stanford and Rogers will announce for USC.
Aziz Shittu is still out there but is not expected to pick the Trojans. And Bryce Treggs looks headed to Cal. Will USC have a scholarship for Stefon Diggs if more players commit today than expected?

10:35 a.m.
OT Andrus Peat
USC, Florida State, Nebraska, Stanford
1 p.m.
OT Kyle Murphy
Stanford, USC
2 p.m.
Aziz Shittu
Stanford, Cal, USC, UCLA
3 p.m.
WR Darreus Rogers
USC
WR Bryce Treggs
Cal, UCLA, USC

Here's some highlights of cornerback Devian Shelton, who switched to USC today.

Cornerback Devian Shelton, who originally committed to Oregon State, switched to USC.

Here's some highlights of USC's latest commit, wide receiver Nelson Agholor.

Leonard Williams commits to USC, which helps explain how Pia Vatuvei switched to Washington.

One of the lower-ranked members of USC's recruiting class, defensive end Pia Vatuvei, switched to Washington this morning. He had been looking around in recent weeks and it is not a shocking development. It could be he thinks USC will get Leonard Williams.

8 a.m.
DE Leonard Williams
Florida, USC, Auburn, Florida State
9:15 a.m.
OT Kyle Dodson
Wisconsin, Ohio State, USC and Michigan State
9:20 a.m.
WR Nelson Agholor
USC, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma
10:35 a.m.
OT Andrus Peat
USC, Florida State, Nebraska, Stanford
1 p.m.
OT Kyle Murphy
Stanford, USC
2 p.m.
Aziz Shittu
Stanford, Cal, USC, UCLA
3 p.m.
WR Darreus Rogers
USC
WR Bryce Treggs
Cal, UCLA, USC

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs will not sign a letter of intent today. He will not decide until Feb. 10 because he wanted to visit Maryland this weekend.

USC made a late run at WR Bryce Treggs but he is expected to honor his commitment to Cal today.

OK, Signing Day is officially underway. Word inside Heritage Hall is to expect WR Nelson Agholor to commit to USC when he announces at 9:20 a.m. (PST). But before that DE Leonard Williams will announce at 8 a.m. (PST) if he chooses USC. That one is too close to call at Heritage right now.

This is the night USC assistant coaches sleep in Heritage Hall as they make last-minute phone calls and wait for the faxed letters-of-intent. The USC coaches are doing it again tonight as they wait for the first East Coast recruits to announce their decisions.