(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
In Part One of “Laying the Foundation: Verbal Committments, Part 1,” we looked at a couple of linemen and a kicker. They are critical, essential components of any successful team but let’s face it, not very glamorous. Today that changes when we examine the rest of the 2009 Trojan verbal commitments.
As stated in previous articles, the USC coaching staff has changed its strategy this year and has not offered as many players as it has in the past. In fact, to this point, only eight players have given a verbal commitment to the Trojans. Of those eight, five are so-called “skill positions,” and skill is the operative word when showcasing these guys.
Two tight ends, two running backs, and an athlete will be highlighted in this space, and all of these guys have the capability of going all the way every time they touch the ball.
Let’s start with a couple of nationally ranked tight ends.
Xavier Grimble:
6’5”, 245 lbs
Scout No. 1 (5 star)
The Bishop Gorman High School star doesn’t have the gaudy stats in his resume—12 receptions for 295 yards, with three touchdowns—but that does translate to a 24.6 yard average per reception. This was partially due to Bishop running an offense that didn’t particularly take advantage of Grimble’s skills.
Grimble possesses all of the attributes that define a good tight end. These attributes include having very good speed, soft hands, and tough, hard-nose blocking.
Grimble has room to grow, physically and technically, but he is very refined coming out of high school.
Randall Telfer
6’4”, 223 lbs. (4.68 forty yard time)
Scout No. 4 (4 star)
Possessing very good size and speed, Randall Telfer has a chance to be special.
Until he adds bulk, he will probably be used at both tight end and receiver, but he does have a good frame to add weight and this will be a focus of Chris Carlisle, USC’s strength and conditioning coach.
When Telfer settles into the tight end role, he will dominate. As a tight end, Telfer has all the attributes needed to become a force off the edge.
As a junior at Rancho Cucamonga High School, Telfer helped the Cougars to the CIF southern section title, catching 42 passes for 678 yards and five touchdowns.
The addition of Grimble and Telfer more than make up for the loss of last year’s late loss of Morrell Presley who signed with UCLA. Adding these two makes the prospects for the tight end group very bright indeed.
One of the recent hallmarks of the Trojan rushing attack has been a large stable of talented rushers to accommodate Pete Carroll’s in game rotation. Although there is a continuing debate as to the value of having so many running backs in that rotation without settling on one to feature, the 2009 recruiting class will add at least two more to its ranks.
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