Laying the Foundation: USC Recruiting, 2009 (Verbal Commitments, Part One)

When we “peeked into the future,” (see here and here) we saw, based on graduations and need for position depth, various areas that would be the focus of USC’s recruiting efforts in 2009.

Those needs have already begun to be reflected in the verbal commitments that the Trojans have received thus far.

Despite a new strategy in recruiting, Pete Carroll has already begun to address those needs.

In no particular order, the offensive line, defensive backfield, punting/kicking, wide receivers, linebackers and tight ends are all areas of focus for the Trojans.

Of course, stellar prep athletes, regardless of position, will be pursued and despite a change of strategy, Carroll will find a place for these stars in the making.

Now let’s take a look at some of the athletes that have given the Trojans a verbal commitment so far, beginning with the offensive line and starting with a junior college commitment.

We will wrap this column up with a profile of a punter/kicker who the Trojans expect very big things from in the next four years.

Brice Schwab

6’8” 320 pounds (Mt. Palomar Junior College)

A massive lineman, who many call the best JC offensive tackle in the country, Schwab is a great technician who uses both his hands and feet well. Fundamentally sound, Schwab has the ability and size to make the same kind of impact that Deuce Lutui, another JC offensive lineman that Pete Carroll brought in a few years ago, did.

Expect Schwab, who will have two years of eligibility left, to challenge immediately in 2010 for a starting spot.

Dakota Smith

6’8”, 365 pounds

Son of former Trojan great Toby Smith, Dakota Smith is huge. Every bit of 6’8” and 365 pounds, Smith will have to lose weight to take advantage of his potential.

Smith, who has played mostly on the defensive line in high school, will be evaluated for a move to the offensive line, a position that many feel better suits his skill set.

Although very raw, "Dak" Smith has already shown good skills, resulting in evaluations from scouts that mention his “good first step and quick hands.”

Because he is so big, defensive linemen will have trouble getting past him as long as he remains low in his stance, which is not always easy when you are 6’8”.

Smith will be a project that will demand attention from both offensive line coach Pat Ruel and Chris Carlisle, the strength and conditioning coach.

Because of this, expect Dakota Smith to redshirt in 2010.              

Matt Darr

6’2”, 210 pounds

Scout No. 1 (4 star)

The premier high school punter in the country, Matt Darr brings all the qualities to the position that Pete Carroll loves.

Darr not only booms his punts, he is a very talented athlete in his own right. In fact, Darr qualified for state competition in both the discus and the shotput and beat out fellow Trojan Kevin Graff for state honors in the shotput.

Kicking Coach Chris Sailer of Chris Sailer Kicking's Comments

Matt is the No. 1 punting prospect in the nation. He has the size, strength, and athleticism to be a dominating Division I punter. He hits balls well into the 5.0-plus range. Member of the Chris Sailer Kicking "Top 12."

Averaged over 46 yards a punt as a junior in 2008.

Look for Matt Darr to immediately challenge for punting duties in 2010.

Summary

The offensive line recruiting is a work in progress with Schwab expected to vie for immediate playing time in 2010. Smith is viewed as more of a long term project.

Jake Matthews from Texas, Chaz Green out of Florida, T.J. Leifheit of North Carolina, and Giovanni Di Poalo, out of St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, CA, have all been offered scholarships.

In future installments, we will look at these offensive linemen as well as all of the other athletes recruited by Pete Carroll and the Trojans.

Darr is the only kicker that has been approached so far by the Trojans and I expect recruiting in this area to be complete with Darr’s verbal commitment.

In Darr, Pete Carroll has the 2010 version of David Buehler, a very good athlete who just happens to also kick very well.

The next installment of this series will look at the balance of Trojan early verbal commitments, all of which are offensive skill players.