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

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.

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.