More USC Defections

[Bob Stoops]

Depth will have to become a problem at some point.


By Scott Wolf, Staff Writer

USC quarterback Rocky Hinds will transfer, the school announced Tuesday. Hinds is expected to enroll at UNLV, where he will have three years of eligibility remaining.
"Rocky came to me and said he wants to transfer. He's a great kid, and I'm disappointed," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "I was excited about him, because he had a good chance to compete for the quarterback job here in the future. But he didn't see it that way. He said he wants to go somewhere where he thinks he'll have a better opportunity to play."

Hinds, whose decision to transfer was reported previously, could be followed to UNLV by USC tailback Chauncey Washington, who is academically ineligible and said he will transfer. UNLV is Washington's leading choice, although he has also contacted Mississippi.

It appears less likely that cornerback Eric Wright will join Hinds. Wright, who withdrew from USC last week, is considering heading to Auburn, Miami or Virginia Tech. Wright, who faces a disciplinary hearing at USC next week after police found 136 ecstasy pills in his apartment, is in the process of sending a letter to the student-affairs office to officially inform them he will not attend the hearing.

Carroll already has lined up a potential replacement for Wright, with Grossmont College cornerback Mozique McCurtis (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) in the process of enrolling for the fall. McCurtis played for Grossmont last season and has three years of eligibility.

McCurtis, who attended St. Augustine High of San Diego, was not heavily recruited out of high school after missing his senior year with an injury.

No Long: Carroll said defensive lineman Gabe Long of Fullerton College will not meet the necessary academic requirements to enroll for the fall. USC is waiting to see if Compton College offensive lineman Kevin Myers will be eligible next fall.

Hawaii kickoff: USC's Sept. 3 season opener at Hawaii will begin at 4 p.m. (PDT) and be televised on ESPN2.

Scott Wolf, (818) 713-3607 scott.wolf@dailynews.com

 

[Master Capper]

I bet Hinds wishes he had selected Nebraska over USC when he declared, hell with how rotten the Huskers QB situation was last year I have no doubts he would of seen alot of playing time. The guy that was QB for Nebraska last year (he has since transferred to UNC) and I can't recall his name, but he was the worst passing QB that I have ever seen outside of a QB playing in the Wishbone. Huskers could be a sleeper this year as this JC kid they got in to play QB was lights out in the spring game and they have a kid coming in from Florida that is suppose to be quite impressive, but their defence is shaky especially the secondary.

 

[Coug LJ]

It IS interesting to see USC have so many academic and disciplinary problems. Pete Carroll has run a remarkably clean and error-free ship during USC's great run. I can't remember anywhere near these many problems in past seasons.

It makes sense that there should be some impact on the team. USC often looks like they operate in some other universe and have an inexhaustible supply of great players, but they have the same number of scholarships as everyone else.

On Defense, USC lost a number of key players. With these latest academic causalities and with Long not being able to get in, the Trojans have to have fallen a notch.

Where it will get interesting is when injuries occur. As has been noted, that is when depth comes into question. Sometimes the back-up is adequate, but what happens if the back-up get injured? ...I think this could be a problem particularly on the D-Line, which has been the foundation of USC's Defense during their great run.

The Offense is still loaded and with NFL caliber players at almost every position. Of course, there may be some impact from Chow leaving. Booty has also been injury-prone. That said, it looks like a team that could put up 40 pts on just about anybody.

I am interested to see how the Defense looks. I have posted before that the most underrated aspect of USC has been their D-Line. This is exactly where USC has been hit hardest by graduation (Two All-Americans) and where off-season problems have had the greatest effect.

 

[Sun Tzu]

All true but wont matter. Aside from all the Pac-10 debates, I dont think there can be any legit disoute that the league is down and there probably isnt a team in that conference this year that could compete with USC's second team.

 

[Master Capper]

The Pac 10 is the reincarnation of the Big East eith USC replacing Miami of Florida

 

[Sun Tzu]

But, as Scott tells us, these were all fabulous kids before they got to USC. How can you blame Carroll? He is obviously a fabulous molder of character.

 

[Scott4USC]

Coug LJ

You sure know your stuff about USC. You bring up very good points. How will WSU do this year? I think UCLA and Arizona will be the surprise teams in the Pac 10. I am becoming a stoops fan. Oregon the team who has biggest probability in upsetting USC.

It IS interesting to see USC have so many academic and disciplinary problems. Pete Carroll has run a remarkably clean and error-free ship during USC's great run. I can't remember anywhere near these many problems in past seasons. .

USC President Steven Sample. USC was a well respected University nationally before but never was an elite academic school. Now USC is both. USC is the 2nd toughest school to get into in CA only behind Stanford. You basically need a 4.0 GPA and 1400 SAT to have legit shot in getting into USC. USC has a higher min. standard than NCAA for athletes and NO EASY MAJORS! Easiest major is Sociology. Take a look at athletes and there majors across the country at other "football" schools. USC football players get NO special treatment other than tutors etc. This is how Steven Sample wants it.

It makes sense that there should be some impact on the team. USC often looks like they operate in some other universe and have an inexhaustible supply of great players, but they have the same number of scholarships as everyone else.

It is because Pete Carroll is the #1 recruiter in the country and one of the top talent evaluators. He and staff look at over 300 players on tape each year in high school and travel across country. This year in a 10 day span I think Carroll visited 6 states. MANY CFB coaches don't look at half that many. USC evaluates them on tape and in person. 1-star recruits to 5-star recruits.

Good example is USC WR Dwane Jarret from NY. He was 4-star recruit and Carroll said he was the best WR in high school. He should have been 5-star. Mike Williams was a 4-star recruit and FL coaches wanted to make him a TE and Carroll said he wanted to revolutionize the WR position and have big WR's.

Greatest thing Carroll does and preaches is getting the best players on field. He constantly moving players from position to position. He doesn't want a great athlete sitting.

On Defense, USC lost a number of key players. With these latest academic causalities and with Long not being able to get in, the Trojans have to have fallen a notch.

Yep, it was longshot Long getting accepted. Just another example how USC doesn't catter to football players. USC turns down so many JC recruits and high school recruits. Often Carroll has to stop recruiting them. Long will be a Trojan next spring but we needed him badly this year. DT's USC has now are very talented but lack experience. Growing pains for first 5 games of year.

Where it will get interesting is when injuries occur. As has been noted, that is when depth comes into question. Sometimes the back-up is adequate, but what happens if the back-up get injured? ...I think this could be a problem particularly on the D-Line, which has been the foundation of USC's Defense during their great run.

USC has plenty of depth at all positions including DT. Long was a superstar DT (with JC experience) and that was why USC needed him. Just some positions lack experience. All positions have great/good talent. No projects. Only area USC can't afford injuries is at DB. USC might have to rely on true freshman if USC suffers 2 injuries.

I am interested to see how the Defense looks. I have posted before that the most underrated aspect of USC has been their D-Line. This is exactly where USC has been hit hardest by graduation (Two All-Americans) and where off-season problems have had the greatest effect.

Yep. DL has always set the tone for USC the last 4 years. 2 of those players were 4year starters. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. USC def. will not get same production. That is a fact!The good news is the DE's are SUPERSTARS so the DT's might be the only weakness along with inexperienced LB's. But the new LB's are MUCH more talented than the LB's who left. USC also has legit 7-8 guys competing for the starting LB spots. That means Carroll can rotate and have fresh bodies ALL GAME. Now Carroll can finally bring and use his blitz packages he had in NFL that resulted in #1 defenses. USC has not had good depth at LB last 4 years. Some games in last 2 years USC started/played a walk on. Finally USC has depth and superior talent at this position.

All true but wont matter. Aside from all the Pac-10 debates, I dont think there can be any legit disoute that the league is down and there probably isnt a team in that conference this year that could compete with USC's second team.

You posters said that last year. USC had "multiple" close games in the Pac 10. I can bring up all your quotes. :mj07: Pac 10 is tough top to bottom and as a conf. has very sophisticated offenses and great QB play. If an offense is clicking on a certain weekend, you could be in trouble because they can put points up in a hurry. Everyone knows you can't play your "A" game every weekend and on the weekends you don't have your "A" game, if a Pac 10 opponent brings there "A" game they have the talent to get up in a hurry. Other conf. as a whole, teams do not have explosive offenses (great QB's) and if you do not bring your A game you still can still be within striking distance. Not in the Pac 10.

Stoops at AZ was quoted last year saying while in Big 12 he had little respect for Pac 10 but he now has a different opinion about the conf.


I always argue that Pac 10 doesn't really have multiple "elite" programs but you won't find a conf. tougher from top to bottom.

Remember, statistically the SEC is the easiest conf. in the nation to run the table. That is a fact! If the SEC was so tough, why do they have so many teams running the table year in year out? Why do they have so few team who win the conf.? Then on top of that, SEC in the last 5+ years have a sub 500 record against BCS opponents. That is "not" a superior conference. Maybe a conf. with "elite" teams but not a superior conference.

What might be surprise to many is I am a big fan of SEC. Love watching there games on TV. But I call a spade a spade.

 

[Coug LJ]

To be honest, I thought USC was going to have some problems the last couple of years. I didn't expect Matt Leinart to be an improvement over Carson Palmer, nor did I expect adjustments on the Offense to work so well last season, especially with the unexpected loss of Mike Williams.

I have heard how much USC has upgraded their academic standing, but I am not buying that every football player is a top-flight scholar. They are there to play football. And I am sure there are any number of accommodations that are made for them that an ordinary student would not receive. Tutoring would be at the top of the list. ...As I posted at another time, I know of two local basketball players at USC who would be lucky to graduate from Los Angeles Community College.

Of course, this doesn't make USC any different from 99% of the other D-1 football programs. I will give you guys credit for bouncing some of these guys.

Washington State is in a pivotal year. Bill Doba had a marvelous first season, but last year didn't work out so well. The Cougs and Oregon State have the toughest road to be a competitive program in the Pac-10. By rights, we should not be able to play with the elite programs. The key is not accepting the obvious.

WSU could be very explosive on the offensive end. Jason Hill and Michael Bumpus are game-breakers at wide receiver. Troy Bienemann has NFL potential at tight end. And the most impressive player in spring ball was RB Jerome Harrison and he could have a very big season. There are two quarterbacks who have game experience: Josh Swogger and Alex Brink. Both have talent and I would be comfortable with either one. Swogger has the bigger arm, Brink is more mobile. The offensive line returns three starters and should be above average.

The Defense was a shambles last year. Historically, Washington State is known for it's passing game, but the key to our latest run of 10 win seasons was the Defense. Last season the Cougars had to replace nine starters and their two defensive captains suffered very serious injuries right before the start of the season. Will Derting, one of the best linebackers in the country, played the entire season in a cast with a fractured wrist. Anyway, it was not happening on Defense, especially the second half of the season.

The Defense should be better - how much better will be the key to the season. Derting is healthy and that is a good start. Fellow linebacker Scott Davis is the second best player on the Defense and is player any program in the league would love to have. The DL has a lot of promise and should be significantly improved from last year. A lot of young guys got playing time and showed potential to play at Pac-10 level. The secondary is below average, but the Coug's best recruit, Michael Willis, could be a big-time player and should start at safety.

We have a great punter, but our kicking game is uncharacteristically bad. That needs to improve. Michael Bumpus returns punts. I call him Reggie Bush-lite. You might recall that USC recruited Bumpus most of his senior year. I think he was a last-minute cast-off and he was our best freshmen. He's a blur.

We have a ridiculously soft OOC and a mild start to Pac-10 play. With this team, that may work out. My hope is that the Offense will put points on the board and the Defense will regain some it's bite. Less than 7 wins will be a disappointment. Washington State is still a relatively youthful team and should be better in 2006.

I agree that most fans underrate the level of play in the Pac-10. It would have helped if Cal would have showed up for their bowl game. I think the league is definitely on the rise with most every program is on solid footing. I am not as big a Stoops fan as you, but he is recruiting very well. UCLA has talent, but you never know what team shows up.

Cal will be the mystery team. Marshawn Lynch is a great running back and could be the best back in the Pac-10 by season's end, Reggie Bush and LenDale White, included. If Tedford works his magic, they could be trouble. The have a truck-load of great JC recruits and DeSean Jackson could be one of the best freshmen in the country at WR.

ASU and Oregon could also be contenders. ASU has better balance, but Oregon has great skill players.

Hard to believe you guys won't miss a beat on the DL or at linebacker, but I am not betting against it. Nobody recruits like Pete Carroll, so it would not be a surprise to see unknowns turn into stars.

 

[Scott4USC]

Good post CougLJ! Enjoyed reading it. I agree WSU had tougher to suceed. What big recruits want to go there. I guess #1 criteria you need in HC is being great recruiter. Getting Bumpus away from USC was great for WSU. USC liked him but he was afraid of competition. Funny thing is USC suffered ton of injuries at WR and he would have played as freshman.

To be honest, I thought USC was going to have some problems the last couple of years. I didn't expect Matt Leinart to be an improvement over Carson Palmer, nor did I expect adjustments on the Offense to work so well last season, especially with the unexpected loss of Mike Williams.

Me too. I didn't even think Matt Leinart was going to win QB battle out of Spring. Everyone was shocked when Chow named Leinart starter out of spring practice. Maybe that was why Cassel got drafted because he was neck and neck with leinart.

ASU and Oregon could also be contenders. ASU has better balance, but Oregon has great skill players.

Reporter asked Pete Carroll who he thought was best Pac 10 team and he said Oregon.

Hard to believe you guys won't miss a beat on the DL or at linebacker, but I am not betting against it. Nobody recruits like Pete Carroll, so it would not be a surprise to see unknowns turn into stars.

USC will suffer but still be strong in both areas.

Check out the next MIKE WILLIAMS of CFB. I am not talking about stud Dwane Jarret who was super freshman last year. Mike who is arrogant himself said Patrick Turner will be better than he was at USC. He is true freshman and was #1 WR in country from TN. Here are 2 pictures of him in volunary workouts tearing it up. He is a beast. Now you can say you knew about this guy before the country.

Patrick Turner

Patrick Turner#2

There isn't a DB in CFB who will be able to guard him (just like Mike Williams) and unlike Mike, Turner will be facing the 3rd best DB from opposing team because USC has Dwane Jarret and Steve Smith as well. Thought I give you something to look forward too! Call it inside info CougLJ!

WSU and CAL have given USC most trouble in the last 4 years.

 

[Coug LJ]

Scott:

Thanks for the inside dope. Sit back and enjoy the season. If USC runs the table, the Trojans might be labeled the best team ever.

Mike Williams was the best receiver I have ever seen in College Football. He was amazing as a freshman and I never saw any team able stop him. I don't want to know about Patrick Turner!

Seriously, Matt Leinart has been a great, great college quarterback. He rarely gets rattled and has great judgment. Plus a ton of talent. He's the key.

With the Offense USC has, most teams should not be able to hang with you by halftime. I think that is what held you up last year - with the injuries and defections at WR and the new line. And we haven't even talked about Reggie Bush and LenDale White. It's sick.

If Troy falls, it will be from within. There have been a few cracks in the armor, but you guys recruit so well that talent is available to make up for the bumps in the road. Plus, Carroll will play freshmen.

Just out of curiosity, how's your kicker. I know you guys have a great punter, but a solid kicker can be the edge in a close game. The guy at Ohio State won a ton of games for them. ...We have to get A LOT better in that department.

Bumpus will get plenty of playing time at WSU. He's slated to start and he is great on punt returns. He is very slight, but tough. We have a guy named Jason Hill from S.F. who is a stud at WR. He is also the best on the team on kick-offs - tackling the return man!

My inside dope is Jerome Harrison. He started off as second or third-string last season, but finished very strong. He went for 247 yards against UCLA in a late season upset. He's a slasher, will take a lot of carries and can catch the ball out of the backfield. He could have a HUGE season. I am praying he doesn't get injured, because there is very little in reserve.

The Cougs are starting to recruit Texas and do pretty well in Cal, particularly L.A. Historically, Washington gets most of the Seattle blue-chip players, though the Cougs do well in Tacoma and clean up in Eastern Washington - which provides more players than you would think. Some that come to mind are Drew Bledsoe, Will Derting and a guy who started at safety as a rookie for the Jets last season and did a great job, Erik Coleman. For years, the Huskies said that Drew Bledsoe was the only player the Cougs got from the state of Washington that they weren't able to get and the Cougs landed. That has changed, recently.

Oregon is loaded at the skill positions. I am not sold on their Defense, but they have some very talented players on the DL who if they lived up to their potential, could be tough to handle. As I have posted before, I believe the key to a solid defense is a good DL. You guys have been stacked there and it will be interesting to see how you handle the current situation.

The Cougs could not handle SC last season, but one of my favorite all-time WSU wins was the OT win in the Carson Palmer Heisman year. This year should be more competitive.

 

[taoist]

Remember, statistically the SEC is the easiest conf. in the nation to run the table. That is a fact! If the SEC was so tough, why do they have so many teams running the table year in year out? Why do they have so few team who win the conf.?

Here's a little factoid to stick in your pipe and smoke....


Last year's Auburn team was only the 6th team in the SEC to go undefeated in conference play since the split into 2 divisions in 1992.... The last 2 teams to accomplish that feat??? Tennessee in 1998 and Florida in 1996.... They both won the National Championship.

 

[Coug LJ]

Not a defection, but USC lost starting offensive guard Jeff Byers due to complications from an injury. Byers was one of the most highly regarded OL recruits in the nation last year, if not the highest. He started for SC before getting hurt late in the season. He will not play in 2006.

USC is in a positon to asorb some hits, but they can't take too many more without having an effect.

 

[Master Capper]

Here is another article on problems at So Cal, but for what it's worth I do not consider the author to be much of a writer and even with all of USC's problems I still consider them the most likely to win it all.


http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/8625279

 

[Scott4USC]

Here is another article on problems at So Cal, but for what it's worth I do not consider the author to be much of a writer and even with all of USC's problems I still consider them the most likely to win it all.


http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/8625279

USC has had ton of bad misfortunes this off season. No doubt about that. But there is a reason to be optomistic.

In the last 3 years, 40 freshmen have played , and unlike other programs that do this while rebuilding, in last 3 years USC has a #4 ranking, two NCs, and 3 straight BCS blowouts. :clap:

Carroll is the best at recruiting and evaluating high school players, and then gets them to produce right away. Nobody in the country has come close to playing freshman and sophomores and getting productive results like Carroll.

 

[Coug LJ]

Good points, Scott.

Of course, it helps when you have freshmen as talented as USC. I also think P.C. does a great job on keeping relative harmony among the back-up players.

Obviously, I am not a USC fan, but you have to applaud the Trojans for the what they have done. As bad as this off-season has been - and it has to hurt ANY program to lose three starters, last season looked a lot worse at the beginning and things didn't turn out so bad.

You might want to catalog all the bumps in the road, starting with the last minute loss of Mike Williiams.

Nonetheless, it does seem out of character.

 

[AU2001]

Here's a little factoid to stick in your pipe and smoke....


Last year's Auburn team was only the 6th team in the SEC to go undefeated in conference play since the split into 2 divisions in 1992.... The last 2 teams to accomplish that feat??? Tennessee in 1998 and Florida in 1996.... They both won the National Championship.

Thank you Taoist...on behalf of all people who have a better memory than SCOTT4USC's biased dreamed-up stats that only exist in his mind.

FYI, There are only 4 teams that have "ran the table" in the SEC to a 13-0 record since the conference division in 1992:

Alabama 1992 (National Champs)
Florida 1996 (National Champs)
Tennessee 1998 (National Champs)
Auburn 2004

 

[Scott4USC]

Thank you Taoist...on behalf of all people who have a better memory than SCOTT4USC's biased dreamed-up stats that only exist in his mind.

Where exactly were my stats incorrect? I am sure you and many others would love to call me out if I posted something incorrect. So please tell me where my stats were wrong. Thanks!

:liar:

 

[AU2001]

Remember, statistically the SEC is the easiest conf. in the nation to run the table. That is a fact! If the SEC was so tough, why do they have so many teams running the table year in year out?

There have only been 4 teams "run the table" to 13-0 in the past 14 years.

Not exactly year in and year out is it? That is one of your incorrect stats.

 

[Scott4USC]

There have only been 4 teams "run the table" to 13-0 in the past 14 years.

Not exactly year in and year out is it? That is one of your incorrect stats.

That doesn't make my statement incorrect. You "failed" to explain where I errored. I compared the SEC vs other conf. using same criteria and SEC came out #1 being the easiest conf. to run the table. If my #'s are wrong, please point them out. I do not mind being corrected but I do mind be falsely accused when you have nothing to back up your accusation!

BTW, since 1991, 7 teams in the SEC didn't lose a conf. game. I wonder how the other conf. have done since 1991. I think BIG 12 might be easiest to run table since 1991.

 

[AU2001]

It is never easy to run the table in the SEC, Big 12, or Big 10. Anyone who thinks otherwise is foolish. End of story.