2010 National Signing Day: USC Among Top Signing Classes Once Again

After a disappointing 2009 season, USC was dealt another blow when former head coach Pete Carroll decided to leave Southern California to become head coach for the Seattle Seahawks. With no head coach and just under a month until national signing day, USC was scrabbling for a new face to lead their football program.

Enter Lane Kiffin. The former USC offensive coordinator left the University of Tennessee after just one mediocre season. The hiring of Kiffin sparked immediate uproar and praise around the sports nation, but that was just what the doctor ordered for Southern Cal.

Lane Kiffin is easily college football’s most controversial and misunderstood figure. Kiffin’s arrogant swagger and USC’s national spotlight was a match made in heaven.

With Pete Carroll’s departure, one of the biggest questions for Southern Cal was the state of their commitments. Well with today being National Signing Day, it looks like USC actually improved their recruiting class with the hiring of Kiffin.

Now let’s take a look at some of the big time recruits that are calling Southern California their home for the next four years.

1.      Seantrel Henderson- Offensive Tackle

Seantrel Henderson is by far the BIGGEST recruit USC pulled in today. At 6’8’’ 300 lbs., Henderson is an elite offensive tackle prospect. Henderson displays quick feet for his size and has excellent pass protection skills.

2.      Markeith Ambles- Wide Receiver

Markeith Ambles was originally committed to the University of Tennessee until Kiffin’s departure. With Damian Williams foregoing his senior year, the Trojans will be looking for a stud wide out. Markeith Ambles doesn’t have great straight line speed, but he does posses excellent quickness off the line of scrimmage.

3.      Kyle Prater- Wide Receiver

Kyle Prater may be the next coming of Mike Williams. Prater is the nation’s top wide receiver prospect from the 2010 class. He has great size, deceptive speed, and some of the best hands in the nation. Prater enrolled early into USC and expect him to be working with the first team offense come spring ball.

4.      Xavier Grimble- Tight End

Exit Anthony McCoy, enter Xavier Grimble. Grimble is this year’s top tight end prospect. Grimble reminds me a lot of former Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew. He may not have the blocking skills as Pettigrew, but he’s a big body in the middle of the field.

 5.      Robert Woods- Athlete

The best thing about Robert Woods is that you can plug him in anywhere and not be worried about how he’ll perform. Woods’ has blazing speed, which can help him translate to either a dominate wide receiver or safety. Robert Woods is by far the best player in the nation when the ball is in his hands.