Is National Signing Day overrated? These are kids – they still have a lot of growing to do and evolving of their skills – yet, people sit in front of their computers watching it at work as if their lives depended on it. As if the recruits that their schools get will be the difference between a National Championship Game and the Emerald Bowl. But USC tends to sign a few recruits in the top class every year, and that’s just where the Trojans ended up this past year.
Lets look at the 2006 class, and see how the top ten recruits out of high school ended up:
- Percy Harvin – Vikings first round pick, NFL offensive rookie of the year
- Andre Smith – Bengals first round pick
- Chris Wells – Cardinals first round pick, split time with Hightower
- Gerald McCoy – expected to be a first round pick in this year’s draft
- Sergio Kindle – expected to be a first round pick in this year’s draft
- Matthew Stafford – Lions first round pick, started for the Lions
- Vidal Hazelton – sat out a year after transferring from USC to Cincy
- C.J. Spiller – expected to be a first round pick in this year’s draft
- Allen Bradford – returning to USC
- Mitch Mustain – backup QB at USC
Look like the scouts pretty much hit it on the head. But on the other hand where did Boise State, TCU, and Cincinnati fair in National Signing Day over the past few years? Not one top 30 recruit in 2006, 2007, 2008 or 2009; yet the schools each had very successful seasons. And even though Jimmy Clausen may have been the number one recruit in 2007, he wasn’t the change agent that Notre Dame was hoping he would be. Just because your school doesn’t have one of the top recruits, doesn’t mean that it’s time to throw in the towel.
Don’t count Vidal Hazelton out yet. He is the REAL DEAL. He was one of the main reason that the Bearcats was so successful. Brian Kelly awarded him the Scout Team MVP prior to leaving for ND. I believe Vidal was hindered by Steve Sarkisian at USC. It is one thing to have competition but the real question is: Will they allow you to compete. USC is notorious for this. Vidal’s dad did not get along with USC and was caught in the middle of a dog fight. Because the can do it with the stable of players they recruit.This kid was by far the best player at USC but wasn’t allowed to be the BALLER he is. What Pete Carroll and company tried to do was very petty. I look for Vidal having a great year and the NFL boards drafting him high in 2011. Maybe you should go take in a Cincy practice and see the TRUTH. Vidal is the REAL DEAL. 6′ 3″” sub 4.4, Runs crisp and precise routes, VERY Physical and probably the best blocker I’ve seen in college football. Lane Kiffin was the man that recruited Vidal and he knows his stuff. I think SC is in so much better hands with Lane Kiffin calling the shots. That is why USC lost so much game. USC wasn’t playing the best players. Lane Kiffin won’t stand for that. He’s all about business. Pete Carroll was a happy go lucky dude that won’t last 2 years in the NFL if shorter. Nice guy but not NFL material. Go Trojans
Thanks for the comment and for reading my blog. I wasn’t trying to condemn him in the listing, just stating that he (under NCAA regulations) sat out a year, so he’s not entering the draft this year and I can’t really say, as a lot can happen in a year.
Why is Cincy ranked higher that USC in the Polls
Why? Because USC has all the 5 Stars? Cincy has all the 2 Star players> Answer: Bad coaching decisions at SC and GREAT coaching at Cincy. I think USC will do very well this year. Kiffin will make good business decisions and not base his decision on a father disagreeing with the USC staff. Who made Pete Carroll God. Vidal’s dad wasn’t getting the result from Pete so take the fight public. Pete Carroll is not use to dealing with strong black men but he got one from Mr Hazelton. Pete hires a guy name Joe Mendes for SC. Cornerstone Consulting. Remember this name folks. http://cornerstonesports.com/jmbio.html Ask Mike Garrett if this guy is not on their payroll. Former VP for the Redskins. His job is to help Pete prevent kids from leaving for the draft and push them in the direction of certain agents. They tried this with Mark Sanchez. Didn’t work. Tried it with Ray Mauluga. Didn’t work. Who knows who else kid they tried this with. LOOK people. I hate to bust your bubble but Pete Carroll is no saint. I saw an interview with Mark Sanchez on the NFL network. They asked him what advice does he have for Pete Carroll going to the Seahawks? He replied “Stay in school” Pete laughed when they played the clip for him. It is very easy to play nice guy on TV and in the public eyes. BUT. Do you folks ever wonder what really happens behind closed doors. There was a lot about to come down at USC. I got the inside scoop. Pete got out fast and boy did he run that 40 in a sub 4.3. THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE. STAY TUNED FOLKS
I actually wrote a blog post on Carroll and the NCAA infractions to come when the Seahawks announcement came, https://sportslawyeress.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/jumping-the-usc-ship/ check it out.
YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON THE MONEY