Trojan Update
It's now less then three weeks until national signing day for college football! It will be interesting to see who the Trojans pick-up (and possibly lose) down the stretch as Coach Carroll has always been a strong finisher.
Florida, LSU and Notre Dame have provided the most direct competition for the Trojans this recruiting season. Tennessee and Texas are also pulling in top classes but haven't gone head-to-head for recruits with the Trojans as many times as the Gators, Tigers and Fighting Irish.
The Trojans are still in the running for many top recruits such as RB Joe McKnight, DT Marvin Austin, CB/WR Ronald Johnson, WR Deonte Thompson, CB Donovan Warren, S Chad Jones, WR Ahmad Paige, OL Kevin Bryant, S Major Wright and LB Malcolm Smith. USC is battling with LSU for McKnight, Florida State/North Carolina for Austin, Michigan for Johnson, Miami for Thompson, Michigan/UCLA for Warren, LSU for Jones, Florida/Florida State for Paige and Cal/Notre Dame for Smith. The experts say McKnight will sign with LSU but many USC insiders claim he will sign with USC. Austin has been leaning towards FSU but could be a big surprise on signing day. Johnson will likely sign with the Wolverines. Thompson has been leaning heavily towards Miami according to the experts. Warren is a wildcard that could surprise everyone when he announces his decision on February 1st. Jones will likely stay close to home and sign with LSU. Paige will likely sign with the Gators or Seminoles. Smith has been touting Cal and Notre Dame but will probably be a Trojan on signing day.
There have been rumors over the past few weeks that longtime USC verbal commits DE Everson Griffen, OL James Wilson, S Marshall Jones, QB Aaron Corp and RB Broderick Green are taking a hard look at other schools. I think we'll land Griffen, Wilson, Jones and Aaron Corp but I'm still thinking there's a chance that Green will see an opportunity to start early at Penn State.
Based on the recently updated prospect rankings at ESPN, Rivals and Scout, here's how I'd rank the verbal commitments:
1) LB Chris Galippo (5.0-star)
2) RB Marc Tyler (5.0-star)
3) DE Everson Griffen (5.0-star)
4) OL James Wilson (5.0-star)
5) OL Kristopher O'Dowd (5.0-star)
6) S Marshall Jones (4.5-star)
7) QB Aaron Corp (4.5-star)
8) OL Martin Coleman (4.5-star)
9) DT Da'John Harris (4.5-star)
10) RB Broderick Green (4.0-star)
11) DE Michael Reardon (4.0-star)
12) LB Jordan Campbell (4.0-star)
13) WR Brandon Carswell (3.5-star)
14) QB Samson Szakacsy (3.0-star)
The top remaining recruiting targets for USC:
1) RB Joe McKnight (5.0-star)
2) DT Marvin Austin (5.0-star)
3) CB/WR Ronald Johnson (5.0-star)
4) CB Donovan Warren (5.0-star)
5) S Chad Jones (5.0-star)
6) WR Deonte Thompson (4.5-star)
7) S Major Wright (4.5-star)
8) OL Kevin Bryant (4.0-star)
9) WR Ahmad Paige (4.0-star)
10) ATH Malcolm Smith (4.0-star)
11) CB Anthony Gildon (3.5-star already committed to Oregon)
[More at http://trojansfootball.blogspot.com ]
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