D-Rock's Block

Before I break down the 2010 class, let’s get greedy and take a quick glance at the Class of 2011. Here’s the top five prospects on SC’s radar:

1) RB DeAnthony “The Black Mamba” Thomas, Crenshaw HS (CA) – The Mamba is the no. 1 player overall on scout.com’s 150 rankings, and is a ridiculous talent. It will be between USC, UCLA, and Cal.

2) WR George “G-Farm” Farmer, Serra Gardena HS, Gardena CA – G Farm was the teammate of 2010 five-star WR Robert Woods. Word is Farmer has superior speed and skills to the amazing Woods. It will be interesting to see if SC can still get G-Farm even after bring in three 5-star WRs in this class.

3) OT Christian Westerman, Chandler, AZ, Hamilton HS – Westerman is an Arizona native and already attended the USC Rising Stars Camp last year. He will be the best or 2^nd best tackle in the 2011 class.

4) ATH James Wilder, Jr., Tampa, FL, Plant HS – Wilder is an athletic freak who plays on both sides of the ball, but will end up at LB or DE at the next level. It will be between USC, UF, and The U.

5) OT Cyrus Kouandijo, Hyattsville, MD – Cyrus will be the no. 1 LT, or no. 2 to Westerman at worst. He is also high on SCs radar. Gotta get that o-line depth.

 Now onto the Signing Class of 2010:

1) Markeith Ambles (5-star, #3 WR, #24 overall) – Ambles is explosive and has good size at 6 foot 2, but needs to beef up and add about 20 lbs. to his 182 frame. The Georgia native is a testament to Kiffin and Co.’s nationwide recruiting power, even for the country’s most elite prospects. Markeith was picked by one analyst to be the top player in the 2010 class after his junior year. He will have to compete with a slew of other talented and highly touted wideouts at SC. Ambles was #6 on my recruiting wish list.

2) Dion Bailey (4-star, #7 safety, #93 overall) – Bailey committed to SC many months ago along with Lakewood HS (CA) teammate QB Jesse Scroggins. At  6’ 1”, 195, Dion has the physique of an undersized linebacker rather than a safety. One of the best ball hawks in the country, Bailey does a great job recognizing the run/pass. He will redshirt next season, then contribute in 2011.

3) Dillon “D-Bax” Baxter (5-star, #2 RB, #17 overall) – Baxter was a QB in the spread offense at Mission Bay HS in San Diego, where he set the state record for career TDs (70), including a seven in a single playoff game. Many SC fans are ecstatic to have kept D-Bax a Trojan as he decommitted when Carroll left, but reaffirmed his commitment after Kiffin took over If Baxter would have gone elsewhere (Michigan, Oregon), then it would have been a major blow to SC and the Trojan Family as Dillon has been a huge SC fan and committed since a HS freshman. D-Bax will get multiple reps per game out of the “Wildcat” formation, probably starting this year. I’m personall a big fan of D-Bax and think he’s going to be awesome at the next level. Plus, he’s got pimp hair.

4) Anthony Brown (3-star, #35 CB) –  The 5’ 11” 180 lb. Fontana, CA native is a gritty, tenacious defender and a solid all-around cover man with improving technique. He is the only 3-star recruit on SC’s class, but very underrated during recruiting evaluations.

5) Giovanni “GDP” Di Poalo (4-star, #20 OT, #167 overall) – The 6’ 4” 260 tackle has a good frame that will add about 25 lbs. over the next two years. GDP decommitted the day before NSD, then recommitted and signed his LOI to SC the next day. He will contribute once tackles Matt Kalil and Tyron Smith move onto the NFL.

6) Xavier Grimble (4-star, #1 TE, #51 overall) – The 6’6” 245 beast from Vegas is the No. 1 TE on everyone’s board. Grimble is the best of the three TEs in this class and will compete immediately for playing time as a true freshman. Most see X as the next great SC TE and have him filling the hole left by senior Anthony McCoy.

7) D.J. Morgan (4-star, #8 RB, #68 overall) – The Taft HS (CA) Product runs a 4.4 for breakfast and will mix in well with fellow frosh RB D-Bax. Morgan’s speed and Baxter’s elusiveness will be the next successful RB SC duo. D.J. is coming off a torn ACL in his final HS playoff game and will be limited in spring and fall practice, but should be good to go come the season opener.

8) Kyle Prater (5-star, #1 WR, #2 overall) - The Proviso West (IL) HS sensation has been called “The Next Big Thing” by many talent evaluators. The 6’5” 205 WR has the strength to take hits across the middle or beat you deep. With D-Will leaving early to the NFL, Prater should compete immediately for playing time, if not a starting spot (especially if WR Ronald Johnson or WR Brice Butler get injured). Prater will be a bigger, better version of Mike Williams (remember that guy? Haha)…except KP will stay three years not just a pair.

9) Hayes Pullard (4-star, #15 ATH, #174 overall) – Hayes will add much needed depth to the MLB spot. LB Chris Galippo took a lot of heat last year during the 47 and 55 conf. loses to Oregon and Stanford for missing some plays up the middle. CG was playing hurt and had to be on the field nearly every down due to the lack of dept hand injury situation in the LB Core. Chris has got to be pumped about Pullard coming to town.

10) Nickell Robey (4-star, #9 CB, #111 overall) – Robey wasn’t even on SC’s radar til Kiffin arrived. Lane sniped Nickell from Georgia and upgraded the Trojan secondary immediately. After losing all four senior starters in the secondary, Lane made sure to bring in many talented DB recruits. Robey is also a Florida native. SC owns the East coast too, folks.

11) Jesse Scroggins (4-star, #7 QB, #124 overall) – Scroggins may have the best arm of any senior HS QB in the country. He threw a 65-yard bomb in the Under-Armour AA Game. You might say why should SC bring in a highly touted QB when Barkley is only a sophomore, but Scroggins will put pressure on MB7 to play even better, and will serve as an adequate back-up until its his turn to shine.

12) Seantrel “Hendo” Henderson (5-star, #1 OT, #1 overall) – Seantrel is the top player in the country, and is awaiting to hear what sanctions SC may get as backlash from the Bush investigation by the haters known as the NCAA. Hendo is the best LT to come out of HS since Orlando Pace in the mid-90s. Seantrel is a native of St. Paul, MN. SC grabbed the top two prospects from the Midwest, who also happen to be the two best prospects in the nation.

13) Glen Stanley (4-star, #3 JUCO LB, #13 overall JUCO) – Another former Vol commit, Stanley followed Lane and Ed O to the west coast. Stanley is a quick OLB with the athleticism to drop back in coverage or eat up the run effectively. He should contribute immediately as well.

14) Randall Telfer (4-star, #6 TE, #138 overall) – Telfer, another one of the top 10 TEs, will compete with Grimble, Blake Ayles, Rhett Ellison, and James Boyd for touches at TE this upcoming season. There’s an outside chance he may redshirt though.

15) Marquis Jackson (4-star, #3 JUCO DE, #27 overall) – Marquis was a UCLA commit, but once the #2 DE in the country committed on NSD to the Bruins, Jackson decommitted and signed with the Trojans. His brother, Malik, is also a former 4-star DE and currently a junior. The Jacksons are both really quick off the edge and outstanding pass rushers. Malik is one of my favorite players on the squad. Top 5.

16) Christian Thomas (4-star, #4 TE,#112 ovearll) – CT committed on signing day picking SC over UCLA, Florida and Cal. Although a top five TE, he may be turned into a DE because of his initial quickness off the line. This kid is extremely athletic for his size, 6’3” 235 lbs and runs a 4.5.

17) George Uko (4-star, #3 DT, #27 overall) – To some, Uko is the most important commit of the entire class. With DT depth thin after next season (Jurrell Casey gone to the NFL, Averell Spicer, Christian Tupou, and Hebron Fangupo graduating), Uko will get some PT this year and start as a true sophomore in 2011. He will be the next great SC DT continuing the line of Mike Patterson, Sedrick Ellis, and Jurrell Casey.

18) Soma Vainiku (4-star, #1 FB) – Soma was one of the eight studs prospects who committed on NSD to the Trojans. He will take over at FB once Stanley “Steamroller” Havili and DJ Shoemate graduate.

19) Robert Woods (5-star, #2 WR, #3 overall) – Woods is a dynamic playmaker and just flat out special. When comparing him to a NFL player, analysts have chosen Charles Woodson. Pretty high praise. Woods can play on both sides of the ball although where he will primarily play at the next level is uncertain. Woods reminds me of RoJo when he came in back in the Class of 2006 as the #2 WR/CB not sure where he’d end up.

20) Demetrius Wright (4-star, #8 S, #100 overall) – D-Wright committed during the U.S. Army AA Game the day after Pete bolted to Seattle. This kid really must bleed Cardinal and Gold. I became a fan immediately.

It was supposed the year of vulnerability. The year the rest of the PAC-10 and rest of the nation was supposed to catch up, and if not, surpass USC and their last decade of unparalleled success. It was supposed to be the year that Slick Rick Neuheisel’s famous words – “The LA Monopoly is over,” were to come true. In the words of ESPN GameDay analyst and consummate clown, Lee Corso – Not so fast, my friend!

Everyone and their mother underestimate the recruiting ability of Hurricane Lane and Ed O, who are now, with this year’s class, unquestionably the most dynamic and successful duo of recruiters in college football – and its not even close. Lane and Ed had three weeks – THREE WEEKS! – to: 1) keep the present star-studded recruiting class together despite Carroll’s departure extremely late in the recruiting season, 2) try and make a play for the top uncommitted recruits, at the same time try to woo some committed recruits out to Hollywood, and 3) fill positions of need that Pete had not yet addresses in this year’s class. Check, check, and check – Lane and Co. pulled off the most impressive recruiting turnarounds in recent memory – and in three weeks no less. Just call Lane Kiffin Mr. February.

Heading into NSD, USC had a total of 12 recruits. At the end of the day, the Trojans had assembled 8 more prospects in the 2010 class. Six of which are 4-star recruits, and the two other 5-stars, including the consensus top player in the country – LT Seantrel “Hendo” Henderson from St. Paul, MN. Getting Hendo to commit was the biggest recruiting coup since Pete Carroll plucked Joe McKnight from LSU’s grasp out of New Orleans in ’07. At the end of Nat’l Signing Day, the Trojans stood atop the college football world once again, bringing in the nation’s top class. Just when all the recruiting analysts had given the much coveted “yearly recruiting national title” to the Florida Gators, Lane swept in during the 11th hour and took it right away from Urban Meyer.

In addition to Hendo, Lane was able to address the position of need at LB. With four Trojan LBs from last year’s squad now starting in the NFL, and all three starters this year injured during several games this season, linebacker was the most glaring recruiting need on the defensive side of the ball. SC signed MLB Hayes Pullard, a top ten LB and athlete from Crenshaw “The Shaw” HS in LA. The Shaw has traditionally been a pipeline for UCLA, but Lane was able to break the traditional bond in only three short weeks. Simple remarkable. More importantly, one of the top prospects in the 2011 class, DeAnthony “The Black Mamba” Thomas, plays at Crenshaw and this signing opens the door to bring in Thomas next year. The Mamba has been a local legend since his days in Pop Warner football and he is Scout.com’s #1 overall ranked player for the 2011 Class. The Trojans were also able to bring in 4-star OLB Glen Stanley, one of the top JUCO recruits (#12 overall, #3 LB). Stanley is fast and quick to the ball and will be able to come in and contribute immediately. He is sure to fit extremely well within Monte Kiffin’s Cover 2 defense.

If Pullard is the most important defensive recruit in this year’s class, then Hendo has to be for the other side of the pigskin. SC loses three starters from the o-line this year to the NFL Draft, and will lose at least three more the year after. Therefore, the need on the o-line for depth will be great very soon. GDP and 5-star and no. 1 overall recruit in the nation LT Seantrel Henderson will fill in nicely blocking for QB Matt Barkley.

The amount of skill position players in this year’s class is unbelievable. 3 of the top 4 WRs (Kyle Prater, Robert Woods, and Markeith Ambles), 3 of the top 6 TEs (Xavier Grimble, Randall Telfer, and Christian Thomas), and 2 of the top 8 RBs (Dillon Baxter and D.J. Morgan). These prospects off-the-charts athletic ability will be a defensive coordiantors nightmare when on the field together. Seriously, how are you going to cover Kyle Prater going deep, Robert Woods sprinting across the middle of the field, Xavier Grimble running a slant route, Randall Telfer blocking then going out for a swing pass or blocking for Dillon Baxter’s screen pass, RoJo going deep, Allen Bradford or Marc Tyler blowing up the center of the d-line, and Brice Butler running down the sidelines…seriously! I know all those guys most likely won’t be on the field all at the same time next season, but the problems they represent for opposing defenses is simple uncanny.

The Trojans class may get even better with the much speculated commitment of 5-star and #2 ranked CB and 15th overall ranked player Latwan Anderson from Glenville HS in Cleveland, Ohio. Anderson is currently verbally committed to West Virginia, but is rumored to be decommitting in the coming weeks as he opted not to sign a letter of intent to any school on signing day. Latwan has called SC his “dream school” and was scheduled to visit the last weekend before signing day, but cancelled his visit one day prior. People then thought that SC was out of the picture and it was down to Ohio State and WVU. But, rumor has it that Latwan would currently not be allowed to enroll at SC because of his present grade situation, so a visit to LA would have been meaningless. He needs to take a summer class after his HS graduation and retake the SAT or ACT in order to get into SC. If he does that, then he’s LA bound. Latwan would be a great pickup for the Trojans as he has tremendous speed, is a solid cover man, and would fill the need at punt/kick return man immediately with the departures of McKnight, D-Will, and Stafon Johnson to the NFL. Anderson said he would commit and sign to one of those three colleges 2-3 weeks following signing day. We shall wait and see how it all unfolds.

This now marks two straight years where Lane has signed the number one ranked player in the nation. Last year, he signed RB Bryce Brown from Kansas to Tennessee, and this year he got Hendo. And now SC has also brought in the number one ranked player 3 out of the last 4 years: Joe McKnight in 2007, Matt Barkley in 2009, and Seantrel Henderson in 2010.

The Trojans second most important commit on signing day may not suit up for another two years. And that’s because he’s part of the 2011 class. Antwaun Woods of Taft HS in LA, the top DT in California and perhaps entire nation for next year, committed to SC on signing day. Woods was seen as a key prospect in next year’s class and a must get. It was going to be between SC and UF, and the Trojans won out immediately. He looks like he won’t be the kind of kid who will visit other schools during the recruiting process, and then bolt elsewhere on signing day. Woods should stay solid and sign the LOI next February.

Overall, SC’s class of 20 recruits averaged an incredible 4.2 stars, .28 more than the next closest school, Texas. Most thought SC’s class would suffer and limp to the finish in the first year of the post-Carroll era. Not many thought that it would thrive like this, and nobody thought that they would have such a surge on signing day to finish with the number one class on the country. Lane and Ed O do it again. Can’t wait to see what they can do with a full year of recruiting next February.

Next, I will be breaking down and analyzing each of the Trojans twenty commits and how they will fit into the team picture and depth chart next season and the following.

With the Super Bowl next Sunday and the 2009 NFL Season nearly in the books, it’s time to look forward to our favorite off-season weekend….THE NFL DRAFT! I’ve been projecting and mulling over several selections throughout the top ten and entire first round the last sevearl weeks, and finally put all of my thoughts together this afternoon to complete my initial 1st round projections. I usually come out with my first 1st round picks at the end of January, then I will follow that up with version 2.0 after the combine in late February (Micah and Tory – you better remember my final mock draft for the 2008 draft where I had 8 of the 1st 10 picks correct, including one trade…believe it).

There will be numerous shake-ups in the top ten, and entire first round until the draft forecast comes completely clear in the next few months heading into the third weekend in March when it all goes down. Kiper and his sweet hair came out with his initial 1st round projections last week and the web went buzzing…let me try and do the same.

1) Rams – Ndamakong Suh, DT, Nebraska  -  Most dominant DT to come out since Warren Sapp. He’s a game changer, and the Rams will have a great young duo with Suh and Chris Long playing alongside each other for years to come. They’ll pass on a qb this draft, win 2 games next year, and finally cave by taking a franchise qb in 2011…thus ruining that young man’s what would have been illustrious career.

2) DET – Gerald McCoy, DT, OU  -  The Lions D-line hasn’t been the same since they dealt Shaun Rodgers two years ago. McCoy beefs up their line tremendously. Grady Jackson and Sammie Hill just aren’t cutting up front. McCoy and DeWayne White make a solid DT-DE combo in a slowly improving front seven. There’s been some talk about McCoy perhaps slipping out of the top five to the six spot if the Lions don’t grab him here, but he’s too good to pass up. If they choose otherwise, Detroit will go with Tennessee stud safety Eric Berry. Berry and second year man Louis Delmas would make for the most talented, imposing safety duo in the league. Some scouts have Berry over Suh as the top prospect in this year’s draft class.

3) Bucs – Eric Berry, S, TENN – At this point, Berry looks like a lock for the top three, which blows my plan for the Niners to trade up and to the 5th pick and take him out of the water. Some project Berry going a pick before to Detroit, but second overall may be too high to select a safety, where he’ll fall in the laps of Tampa Bay. Bucs will have a superstar safety in the making and a player they can build their young defense around in the future. Bucs have rebuilt their D from those Kiffin teams of years past and can make Berry the centerpiece of that side of the ball for the next decade.

4) Skins – Sam Bradford, QB, OU – Shanahan doesn’t like Jason Campbell’s skill set and wants to start fresh with his own QB he can mold and teach from Day 1 in Daniel Snyder Land. Bradford is a franchise QB with all the skills to become an elite QB at the next level. His only problem is durability.  He needs to beefen up in order to take the pounding that goes with a 16-game NFL schedule. Hey Sammy B, give freaking Brady Quinn a shout and get his workout routine for crying out loud. That guy’s yoked and could definitely help your career out. Plus, he might get a Myoplex contract out of it. The combine will be his proving ground to show scouts that his throwing shoulder is healed from those two surgeries last year.

5) Chefs – Russell Okung, LT, OK St. – Jamaal Charles is going to be stoked when this pick goes down. This draft class is loaded with talented o-linemen, especially in the 1st round, and Okung is the best of them all. KC snags him at this spot completing their o-line rebuilding project that started when Willie Roaf and Will Shields retired three seasons ago. Now they have Brandon Albert and Russell Okung, two outstanding young tackles, practically assurring Charles of a 1,500 yard season and his 1st Pro-Bowl selection next year. Have a feeling KC won’t be missing LJ at all real soon.

6) Seahawks – Jimmy “The Emu” Clausen, QB, Notre Dame – Pete Carroll starts his tenure off in Seattle with a young, talented qb, and one he’s very familiar with. Jimmy The Emu, as Trojan fans have come accustomed to calling him over the years (because he looks like a freaking emu), has the tools to be a stud QB in the NFL, he just needs the working parts around him in the Seahawks offense to improve. Bye, bye Hasselbeck and Julius Jones. Look for “Barfight” Jimmy to start in 2011 once Hasselbeck’s contract expires after this next season. (Sidenote: I think Justin Forsett can play, not just saying that cuz he’s a Pac-10 product or anything, but this kid can bring it and deserves to be a starting RB in the NFL and a 3rd round fantasy selection next season….and just think that Julius Jones flat out sucks.)

7) Browns – Joe Haden, CB, UF  (University of Felons) – Cleveland need another solid cover man opposite Eric Wright (former Trojans who got kicked off the team in ‘05 for having bottles of date rape pills in his dorm room, but that’s besides the point). Brandon McDonald just isn’t cutting it and Haden is a massive upgrade and the best overall corner in this year’s draft class (which is a weak class for corners, but Haden is a legit top ten pick). OTHER POSSIBILITIES: There’s an outside chance they take Dez Bryant here because of the need at WR, but that’s only if they trade Joshua Cribbs in the off-season.

Raiders – Dez Bryant, WR, Ok. St – Dez will probably run a 4.25 at the combine, giving Al Davis a near heart attack and making him their selection here. Regardless, Bryant will go in the top 12 picks. If not here, then to Denver if they get rid of Brandon Marshall, or The Dolphins to be their go-to man beside Ted Ginn. OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Taylor Mays. Al loves freaky athletes, and the don’t get much freakier than T. Mays, who will light up the combine later this month…LOCK IT UP!

9) Bills – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland – Kiper has Campbell falling all the way to the mid-20s, but I think this kid’s too good to fall that far. He may, but with a good combine he should go within the first 15 picks. To be honest, the pick here is probably going to be Anthony Davis, but I really want my 49ers to take him, so I’m leaving him on the board til then. Bflo needs help on the o-line and they’ll get it with this pick, whoever it may be. OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Bryan Bulaga, LT, Iowa or Trent Williams, T, OU.

10) Broncos – Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech – The Broncos flat out piss me off with this pick taking my guy I most want to fall to 13 and into the hands of my Niners. But, Denver snipes the stud DE/OLB here, improving a young, up and coming defense. Morgan will combo well with fellow OLB/DE Robert Ayers off the edge, who was a Broncos 1st round selection last year.

11) Jags – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama – McClain is a flat out playmaker. He led the nation’s number one defense all year long, and then to a National title. Saban & Co. will sincerely miss this stud. Young MLB Justin Durant needs help alongside him in the LB core. McClain will fill the need, and fill it effectively.

12) Phins – Trent Williams, T, OU – Williams is a massive man with a huge frame, much like is teammate last year and now Minnesota Viking Phil Loadholt (except Loadhold is a Guard). I am sold on this guy and think he will be stellar in the league for years to come. He will play will beside fellow tackle and All-Pro Jake Long.

13) Niners – Anthony Davis, T, Rutgers – McShay has him going in the top five and Kiper in the top ten. That may be a bit too high in my mind for Davis, even though he is a baller and has the makings of a future All-Pro at RT. He was injured for quite some time in his three years in Piscataway, but when healthy this kid is a beast. A highly sought after recruit coming out of high school, Davis has lived up to the hype that came with being a HS All-American. Niners LT Joe Staley and Davis will be the foundation for the 49ers o-line for the future. OTHER POSSIBILITIES: CJ Spiller, Derrick Morgan if he falls, Bruce Campbell, Trent Williams, Bryan Bulaga.

14) Seahawsk – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson – Pete starts fresh picking a QB and RB that both came out after their JR seasons with Seattle’s two first rounders. Spiller is a dynamic return man to go along with Olymplic caliber speed and will be like a better, taller version of Darren Sproles, and a player in the Chris Johnson type mold. OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Taylor Mays

15) Giants – Brian Price, DT, UCLA – People don’t know how freaking good this kid is cuz he played his HS and college ball out on the west coast in LA. He didn’t get the attention and hype Suh or McCoy got, but he will add to what already is an excellent Giants d-line. OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Sergio Kindle, LB, UT

16) Niners - Taylor Mays, S, USC – Niners make my year and take one of my favorite college players in T. Mays. If you know me at all, you know that I have had a man crush on T. Mays since he was a 5-star and highly hyped athlete coming out of O’Dea HS in Seattle, Washington in 2006. Mays would have been a top ten lock last year if he left early, but decided to stay and earn his degree while playing his final year for the Men of Troy. T. Mays and Dashon Goldson would be two young stud safeties in the Niners secondary. Wow I really hope this pick comes to fruition. OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Carlos Dunlap, Bryan Bulaga, Everson Griffen)

17) Titans – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida – Not much attention given to this kid as well, but has some major ability without question. Titants need some help on the d-line after losing Haynesworth last season.

18) Steelers – Carlos Dunlap, DE, UF – Another University of Felons product that left early. Dunlap got a DUI the week before the Alabama game, and his punishment – missing the first half….wow, Urban. Don’t be too strict with your felons. Anywho, Dunlap is money when focused on football and not clowning or wasted. In short, he has a ton of ability,  Dunlap just needs to keep his head on straight. C

19) Cards – Bryan Bulaga, LT, Iowa – They have RT Levi Brown (who has disappointed afte being a top five pick two years ago), and are badly in need of a young, talented LT. Jeremy Bridges just isn’t the answer. Enter Bryan Bulaga.

20) Texans- Terrance “Mount” Cody, DT, Alabama – Cody is a massive man, but needs to shed some weight and get more committed to playing football. Just check out the picture of him with his shirt on at the Senior Bowl last week. Andre Smith was laughing at him. There was a report that Cody gained 15 pounds from Christmas to the Senior Bowl hitting the scale at 370…now that’s some eating. OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Carlos Dunlap, Everson Griffen

21) Bengals – Jermaine Gresham, TE, OU – Bengals still need a go-to TE besides Chase Coffman, and they get it with Gresham here who would have probably gone in the first ten picks of last years draft is he hadn’t returned to Norman for his senior season…only to get injured for the year in the first game. Ouch.

22) Patriots – Dan Williams, DT, TENN – To be hones the Pats will probably choose otherwise, its just that I couldn’t find any other place to put Williams right now, and all scouts have him going in the 1st round. I’ll put him someplace different in version 2.0.

23) Slackers (Packers) – Charles Brown, LT, USC - Brown may go higher after a good combine, but Packers o-line sucks. But, theire D sucks ever worse, which might prompt GM Ted Thompson to with the other side of the pigskin here. Brown was a three-year starter at USC and always extremely consistent even while playing with nagging injuries.

24) Eagles – Everson Griffen, DE, USC – Another guy who will probably improve his draft stock at the combine. The man is a physical freak. At 280 he’s been clocked at a 4.5…ridiculous speed, folks…PAC-10 SPEED!!! Eagles would be lucky to grab him here if possible. He’d go well alongside fellow USC alum DT Mike Patterson on the Philly d-line.

25) Ravens – Brandon Spikes, LB, UF – Yet another University of Felon product…and yet another University of Felon with a rap sheet…(gouging dude in the eye earlier this season). Spikes falls to Baltimore due to character issues. (Check out the eye gouge against Georgia last year for yourself – pictured on the right) OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Arrelious Benn, Brandon LaFell, Golden Tate, Damian Williams, Aaron Hernandez

26) Cards – Sergio Kindle, LB, UT – Another talented LB that falls due to character concerns. Kindle and Spikes were both huge five-star prospects coming out of high school, and mostly lived up to the billing at the next level. We’ll see if they can keep it coming once they enter The Shield.

27) Cowboys – Damian Williams, WR, USC – Most Dallas fans are pushing for an o-lineman in the 1st, but with Roy Williams recent struggles and the lack of consistency with Patrick Crayton along with the inexperience of Kevin Ogletree, Jerry Jones may go with D-Will here to add another playmaker on what is already a top five offense. But, if the Boys go out and get a high profile name like Randy Moss or Brandon Marshall, Jerry will go o-line with this pick.  OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Arrelious Benn, Golden Tate, Mike Iupati, Guard, Idaho

28) Chargers – Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech – I originally had RB Jahvid Best in this spot til I wrote this version, and Best may very well end up being this pick. Chargers need to groom a young, go-to, three-down RB to take over for LT, whose days in San Diego may be over. Dwyer is a good one, but I think Best would be the best pick in this spot (Burger pun!).

29) Jets – Earl Thomas, S, UT – Thomas may go earlier when all is said and done, but the Jets need another playmaker in the secondary if teams aren’t going to throw to whomever Darelle Revis is covering. They will have a big need on their hands if CB Kerry Rhoades does not return.

30) Vikes – Jerry Hughes, OLB/DE, TCU - Hughes is a tenacious pass rusher, and may be gone at the point, but imagine the Minnesota d-line with this kid as well…scary. OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Patrick Robinson, CB, FSU, Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan

31) Saints – Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan – Graham tore it up in the Senior Bowl being named the game’s MVP and earning a spot in the late first round in the process. OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Mizzou, Navarro Bowman, LB, PSU

32) Colts – Mike Iupati, G, Idaho – Colts always get steals late in the first round – ex: Joseph Addai, Marlin Jackson, Anthony Gonzalez…and Iupati will be not different. (Here’s another pic of T. Mays, just cuz he’s that freaking awesome. It’s from a Trojans practice with him showing off his vert.Man…it’s just not fair!)

In the last few weeks leading up to National Signing Day, the USC Trojans will be hosting visits from several of the top recruits in the country. Some of these recruits have opened recruitment and others currently have verbal commitments to other colleges. But, until NSD comes around and they sign the LOI, all is up for grabs in the wacky world of college football recruiting.

Last week, SC hosted uncommitted prospects: Dre Dorsey, Nickell Robey, Gabe King, Markeirth Ambles, Josh Shirley, Sean Parker, Hayes Pullard, Joe Hemschoot, Michael Thornton, Christian Green, Christian Thomas, Christian Jones and Ahmad Dixon. Top RB prospect Lache Seastrunk cancelled his scheduled visit to the Trojan campus last week, practically ending the chances of him wearing the Cardinal & Gold come fall. But, with the recent re-commitment of 3rd overall RB and 5-star ATH Dillon Baxter and fellow Trojan RB commit DJ Morgan also sticking with SC, losing out on Seastrunk now feels a lot less painful.

Most likely, SC will land a handful of these recent visitors. Most experts are expecting – Shirley, Parker, Robey or Dorsey, along with a surprise recruit or two (Ambles, Thomas, or Jones) to commit near or on Signing Day.

Dorsey, who is a Gator commit, is my pick to switch commitments and come to LA. Florida has six other DB commits in their recruiting class, so there’s speculations that Dorsey, a 4-star top ten DB, is worried about playing time and when he’ll crack the starting lineup.

Picking up where I left off with My Recruiting Wishlist, here’s my predictions where these high school studs will be attending for their college football (along with some other prospects):

You might say that I am a bit pessimistic about the Trojans chances at some of the elite uncommitted prospects, but this usually happens about two weeks out from signing day. Also, the rumors and speculations about where some players will go, where they will go, what they said about visits to other schools all make me think recruits may choose elsewhere. Plus, the Pete situation doesn’t help matters either; so that is why I’m a little more pessimistic of how this recruiting class will finish up as in years past. Even though, I do not underestimate the recruiting skills of Kiffin and Orgeron.

1) Seantrel Henderson - I hate to say it, but it appears his interest in SC has dwindled since Carroll’s departure. So, I’m picking Ohio State. If he picks Florida, then the Gators will have 5 of the top 15 prospects…goodness. So much for the leave of absence, Urban. Losing Henderson takes a blow to the Trojan’s o-line depth, which is in need of another big-time athletic tackle.

2) Jackson Jeffcoat - Texas. Another guy who would have been a Trojan if Pete wasn’t a backstabber. This one especially hurts since he’s been on SC’s radar for quite some time.

3) Ahmad Dixon – USC. Dixon was a Vol commit and will follow Kiffin to the West Coast. We need safety help after T Mays, Pinkard, and Will Harris’ graduation to the NFL.

4) Lache Seastrunk – Oregon. He loves the spread offense, and Kelly’s been in his ear a ton lately. Ducks fans think it is a sure thing that they will get either Seastrunk or Morgan to combo with LaMichael James after LaGarrette Blount’s departure.

5) Owamagbe Odighizuwa – Oregon – The third recruit that would have been a part of SC’s class, but the Trojans are now off his radar. Double O is from Oregon, and now is choosing between Nebraska, Oregon and UCLA.

6) Josh Shirley – USC. I love this kid. Possible man crush territory. He’s so athletic for his size and position that his potential is massive. Plus, he knows he’s going to get PT early with SC LB depth very thin. Once his commit becomes solid, I will be super stoked.

7) Christian Jones – Florida. Gators have a monster class and will continue with the commit of Jones. He would probably be a Trojan if Prater and Woods weren’t committed, along with Ambles’ interest.

Markeith Ambles – USC. Just have a feeling that he’s gonna follow Lane weset as well. He knows the competition he’ll have to deal with in LA, but Lane and him seem to have to strong of a relationship for him to commit elsewhere (UNC or LSU).

9) Chaz Green – Florida. Green seems like a kid that wants to stay near home on the east coast.

10) Dietrich Riley – USC. Has been rumored too long to be a lock for the Trojans to bail on them now.

11) Hayes Pullard - UCLA. Slick Rick has gotten in his ear. Will convince him to go to Westwood.

12) Anthony Jefferson – UCLA. Another guy Slick Rick will likely turn to the Bruins.

13) Nickell Robey - Will be USC if he can overcome the academic hurdles. Status still up in the air.

14) Christian Thoams - Not USC. Trojans already have two of the top eight TEs as solid verbals. Thomas will go elsewhere so he won’t have to redshirt or switch positions.

15) Sean Parker – USC. A safety that will convert to LB for need and depth. Needs to beef up to play OLB, but will be a baller. Fast and athletic – he fits Monte Kiffin’s “Cover 2″ defensive scheme to a tee.

16) Joe Hemschoot – USC. Another guy that will come to SC for immediate playing time in the LB core. Plus, he gets to be coached up by Ed Orgeron.

As with every National Signing Day, there are numerous commitment surprises across the country. The Trojans are not without this element of surprise, as there are sure to be a few commits we saw coming, and several others that we did not.

10 days til Signing Day! Woo! Woo!

With the regular season over and my 49ers long out of the playoff hunt, I have begun thinking about the NFl Draft practically on a daily basis. Comprehending who the Niners may take with their two 1st round picks (13th and 17th overall). Whether they should go o-line first, then take a safety, or perhaps a linebacker falls to them at 13, then they take a corner with the other pick. So, let me lay out five 1st round draft scenarios I would like to see Niners act upon (first being the one I hope happens most). And yes, Micah, I have come to grips with not taking a QB this year in the first round. Pete will snipe Jimmy C @ 7 most likely and Bradford will probably go to the Skins at 4. But with Snead leaving early, I’d be pumped if we snagged him in the 3rd round. This will be version 1 of 3 or 4 scenario listings the Niners could consider come draft day. Scenarios will change following the NFL Combine, College Pro Days, etc.

 

Scenario 1: Trade the two first rounders to Kansas City for the 5th overall pick selecting Eric Berry, S, TENN - This way, they could get an immediate impact player on defense and vastly improve a secondary that is in need of reliable depth. Berry (pictured above) is a superstar in the making and has rare big play ability while being an effective pass rusher as well as cover man. Berry would combine with safety Dashon Goldson to for the best young safety combination in the NFL. Along with (a healthy) Nate Clements, Tarell Brown, and Dre Bly, they would form one of the more feared and athletic secondaries in the game today. Berry compares most to Ravens S Ed Reed.

 

Scenario 2: Select the BPA (Best Player Available) with 13th pick (hopefully OLB/DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech) & O-line with the 17th (G Mike Iupati, Idaho or T Trent Williams, OU) - Last year, Michael Crabtree was supposed be a lock to go in the first 6-8 picks, but fell in their lap at 10 as a cross bay area gift from Al Davis. This year, some player will most likely slide out of the top 10-12 picks once again. Morgan or CB Joe Haden of Florida may fall to the Niners at 13. Also, there will be seven o-lineman taken in the first 25 picks, and the Niners need to upgrade their o-line badly. Williams or Iupati would be solid additions.

 

Scenario 3: Niners load up on o-lineman with both picks (bo’fem) taking T Bryan Bulaga from Iowa and G Bruce Campbell from Maryland - These two may go higher after the combine, but Campbell may fall out of the top ten when it’s all said and done. Bulaga and Campbell seems like sure things at the next level and would great improve the Niners line once they walk into training camp. They would greatly assist LT Joe Staley and G Chilo Rachal, who have been injury prone the last two seasons.

 

Scenario 4: Take DE Carlos Dunlap, FLA at 13 and S T. Mays, USC at 17 - This would vastly upgrade the overall athleticism and range of the San Francisco defense. The Niners need another pass rushing threat besides Justin Smith and Ray McDonald. Dunlap will most likely fall out of the top 12 picks due to character issues and T. Mays had a sub-par senior season due to injury. This scenario would be my 2nd choice.

 

Scenario 5: Niners surprise everyone and take CJ Spiller with the 13 pick and then take the BPA available with the 17 pick - Frank Gore is fastly approaching 30, and the shelf life for RBs in the NFL nowadays is shorter than ever. Spiller has olympic-caliber speed and the best RB in this draft class. Plus, Brandon Jones and Arnaz Battle just aren’t cutting it in the return game. Spiller would also be a home run threat on punt and kick returns. I see Spiller as a bigger, better version of Darren Sproles.