USC Recruiting: Will The Best Get Better?

Published on January 31, 2009 by Seahawk Fanatic     

USC is losing a lot of talent to the NFL Draft, but could be even better next year. Some of that has to do with this years’ recruiting class.

Most people can agree that USC Football has been one of the top teams in the past decade, mostly because of the arrival of Pete Carroll.

Pete Carroll has rejuvenated college recruiting, and has helped alter the coach’s persona that attracts high school players: young and hip rather than old and legendary.

This is causing the breakthrough of USC, Florida and Georgia with Carroll, Urban Meyer and Mike Richt, while Florida State and Penn State aren’t as powerful as they could be because of their old coaches, Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno.

We can see this trend emerging throughout the country, and it’s having a big impact in college football.

The 2009 recruiting class for USC Football looks like, once again, the best class in the country. After a successful 2008 campaign that saw USC win a third consecutive Rose Bowl, the coaches have been recruiting like madmen.

In terms of recruiting for this year, there are some positions that need to be filled, and USC is trying to get the best in the country to do so.

While USC needs guys in almost every position, they need the most help at linebacker. They are losing four linebackers (Maualuga, Cushing, Matthews, and Maiava) from last year, all of whom will be drafted in April.

Losing All-Americans like that is easier when you look at who is (and possibly) enrolling next fall. Vontaze Burfict (No. 1 ILB) has already verbally committed and Manti Te’o (No. 1 OLB) is visiting the school this weekend, while he decides between USC, Notre Dame, and UCLA.

These two linebackers are studs and will definitely ease the departure of the aforementioned linebackers.

USC is hoping some of their recruits will make a big impact next season.

Other than those two linebackers, other positions will see young guys hitting the field next year. Devon Kennard (No. 1 DE) and JUCO transfer Hebron Fangupo (DT) will be a presence on the defensive line and hope to have an immediate impact.

These four players will definitely see a substantial amount of playing time as freshman, and there could be more. Every incoming freshman has the opportunity to play, it’s just a matter of being better than current players, which can be a tough task sometimes.

Every year, some recruits stand out as the most exciting from the fans’ standpoint.

This year, they are getting the No. 1 overall player in QB Matt Barkley, who will be a factor in determining next year’s starter. With a strong arm, fans are excited to see him in the next few years.

Offensive line recruits John Martinez (No. 1 OG) and Kevin Graf (No. 4 OT) may go unnoticed at times, but will be great to have in the coming seasons. Hardcore fans are pumped about the future of the OL with these guys, knowing that a strong line helps every other position on the field.

Also, ATH Patrick Hall and WR Randall Carroll are exciting speedsters that will emerge as stars soon. These have fans extremely excited because of their speed and explosive play-making ability that they bring to the table.

With National Signing Day just a few days away, USC is still anxious for some top players that are still undecided.

Along with Te’o, USC is awaiting the decisions of Dre Kirkpatrick (No. 1 CB), OLB Jelani Jenkins, OT Xavier Su’a-Filo, and OLB Jarvis Jones.

These guys are some of the top in the nation and may decide to come to USC, but could easily choose another top school, like LSU, Texas, or Florida.

The coaches are making those house visits, and trying their hardest to have them pick Troy.

After evaluating another top class from USC, we are beginning to see why USC continually stays at the top of college football.

Getting four and five-star recruits is very important for a program, and USC is one of the best at attaining those players.

They have guys that will have an immediate impact as freshman and guys that will be the stars of college football in just a few years.

So yes, the best will get better.

by Brian Wagner

USC Recruiting: Will The Best Get Better? | Bleacher Report.

Tags: Bobby Bowden, College Football, College Recruiting, Cushing, Devon, Florida State, football, Kennard, Linebacker, linebackers, Madmen, nfl draft, NFL FOOTBALL, Notre Dame, Olb, Penn State, Pete Carroll, Richt, Rose Bowl, Urban Meyer, Usc Notre Dame, Young Guys