Laying the Foundation: USC Recruiting, 2009 (Verbal Commits, Part Two)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

D.J. Morgan:

5’11”, 170 lbs. (4.4 forty yard time)

Scout rated: (4 star)

D.J. Morgan committed to the Trojans early in the recruiting process, and it is easy to see why Pete Carroll is glad to have him. Although Morgan needs to add weight, he is a shifty runner who attacks the hole quickly.

As a junior at Woodland Hills, Ca. Taft High School, Morgan ran for 1,173 yards on 173 carries for 10 touchdowns and added 19 receptions for 230 yards with three more scores. In addition, Morgan returned punts for a 24-yard average and kickoffs for a 26-yard average.

Couple those gaudy numbers with the fact that Morgan ran the 110-meter hurdles in 13.68 seconds, the fourth best time in the nation, and it's easy to see why the Trojans are fired up by this guy.

Trajuan Briggs:

5’11” 192 lbs. (4.55 forty yard time)

Trajuan Briggs will be groomed to be that hard-nosed runner who picks up the tough yardage. However, Briggs also has the speed and skill to turn a four-yard run into a touchdown.

In addition, Trajuan Briggs has good hands and will be counted on to catch passes coming out of the backfield. Briggs runs hard and is a good blocker, all attributes that Pete Carroll loves.

Trajuan Briggs is one of those talented runners who slipped under the radar. Expect big things from Briggs this year in high school when Trajuan Briggs is featured more prominently.

Dillon Baxter:

6’0” 205 lbs. (4.5 forty yard time)

Dillon Baxter is being recruited as an athlete because he does so many things well. Although Baxter has been featured as a running back at Mission High School in San Diego, he is expected to get a long look at USC as a wide receiver.

As a running back, Baxter ran for 1,258 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior and caught four more passes for touchdowns.

USC’s first commitment for the 2009 class, the respect that Pete Carroll has for Baxter can be measured by the fact that Carroll asked Dillon Baxter to help him recruit additional players for this years class.

Dillon Baxter is very talented in a myriad of areas. If necessary, Baxter can even throw a pass, lending to his versatility. A skilled athlete, Baxter is one of those players that does so many things well that it will be difficult to keep him off the field.

Summary:

Not to beat a dead horse, but with the new strategy employed by USC for the 2009 recruiting year, it is difficult to get a read on the progress this recruiting class is making. Some experts are saying that USC is behind schedule with its verbal commitments and some Trojan die-hards are wringing their hands nervously.

However difficult it is to gauge this year's Trojan recruiting class, one thing is for certain: The players who have given USC a verbal commitment are solid players with tremendous upsides. As an evaluator of talent, Pete Carroll has few peers.

Look for the players profiled here, and those to follow, to have a long, productive careers at USC; and for many, a career on Sundays awaits as well.

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