Trojans again finish strong in recruiting
The two cornerstones of Pete Carroll's program are competition and finishing.
Players tell almost everyone that games, seasons, and yes, recruiting classes aren't won until the fourth quarter.
That was demonstrated last season when running back Joe McKnight, the nation's top high school player according to multiple recruiting services, joined USC on Signing Day. Before him came linebacker Brian Cushing and defensive end Kyle Moore.
The Trojans finished with another strong haul Wednesday, adding three premier defenders from Michigan, Florida and California to a class of 19 recruits that signed binding letters of intent.
Nick Perry, a touted defensive end from Detroit, is part of a pronounced effort to address needs on both the offensive and defensive lines.
"We felt it was necessary to address a couple roster issues," Carroll said in a press conference at Heritage Hall. "We think of this class as 'The Big Class' because of all the big guys we brought in."
"USC has one of the nation's top offensive and defensive lines," Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jeremy Crabtree said. "It's great to have the running backs, the quarterbacks, but you have to win up front and USC has built a great foundation for the future."
On the offensive line, USC signed five players, including a pair of familiar names.
Matt Kalil, an offensive tackle from Anaheim Servite, is the
"little big brother," as Carroll put it, of former All-American Trojan center Ryan Kalil.
Khaled Holmes, the No. 1-rated guard in the country by ESPN's Scouts Inc. out of Santa Ana Mater Dei, watched brother Alex win two national titles as a tight end from 2000-2004 at USC.
Moreno Valley Rancho Verde's Tyron Smith, with a 6-6, 270-pound frame, is a prototypical left tackle, Carroll said.
"He is probably the best athlete we've ever had at tackle," he said.
At 330 pounds, Daniel Campbell is a mammoth guard. Carroll, however, complimented the big man from Houston's footwork.
See more at http://media.www.dailytrojan.com
