Laying the Foundation: USC Trojans Recruiting (Cody Kessler and Much More)

A couple of articles ago, I profiled Bakersfield (Centennial high school) quarterback Cody Kessler, who received a scholarship offer from the Trojans.

In the piece, I listed all of the qualities that young Mr. Kessler possessed, including a rocket for an arm and a tough running style that produced a dozen touchdowns last year.

Make no mistake about it, Cody Kessler is one impressive quarterback.

However, the Trojans had just recently received another verbal commitment from Mater Dei's Max Wittek, another four-star quarterback (as rated by Scout.com).

Like Kessler, Wittek is a very impressive young QB, and his verbal helped bring teammate and wide receiver Victor Blackwell into the Trojan fold.  This would eventually lead to five-star cornerback DeAnthony Thomas giving his verbal pledge to USC as well.

Because of Wittek's already deep ties to the Trojans and the players he has brought along, not to mention Wittek's talent as a quarterback, I suggested that the smart money would be on Cody Kessler pledging to the Washington Huskies, whom he was also considering.

Okay, no one ever accused me of being smart.

Last week, Cody Kessler announced his decision regarding who he would play for.  Lo and behold, he chose the Trojans.

Despite Kessler making me look really stupid, you have to love the fact that this kid is not shy of competition and believe me, unless Wittek changes his mind, he will get all he can handle from young Max.

With "competition" always being the Trojans' mantra, you know that these are the kind of kids that the departed Pete Carroll would love, and no doubt Lane Kiffin is digging it as well.

But the saga of Cody Kessler is just one facet of the Trojans recruiting efforts in the last week.

In the same article that highlighted Kessler, I also wrote about Aaron Green, a very talented five-star (again rated by Scout.com) running back who had suggested that he was no longer interested in the Trojans after they had failed to produce a timely scholarship offer.

I even had the temerity to mock Green, offering him advice something to the effect of it was time for him to just move on and not pine for an offer from the Trojans that wasn't ever to come.

Except that the offer did come.

In a splendid bit of timing to make me look really silly, the Trojans have offered Aaron Green and the young running back can now choose to do what he will with the Trojan offer I said was destined never to be.

That will teach me to play it fast and loose with my smug assertions.

Okay, now that the embarrassment of my feeble prognostication efforts are behind me, there is other news to report on the Trojans recent recruiting efforts.

In addition to the offer to Green, the Trojans have also offered six other players, including two JC prospects.

Lane Kiffin and company appear to be in overdrive right now in terms of offering players and here is the latest round of these prospective Trojans:

Jesse Williams

Wiiliams is a huge (6'4 1/2", 340 lbs.) defensive tackle from Arizona Western junior college. Interestingly, Williams hails from Brisbane, Australia, not necessarily a hotbed for American rules football.

Despite the talent and size of this huge d-tackle, it doesn't look as though the Trojans have much of a shot as Williams has narrowed his choice to five schools and USC in not among them.

Brennan Scarlett

This 6'4", 245 lb. defensive end from Portland, OR holds offers from most of the major programs in the country. Rated a four-star player by Scout.com, Scarlett blends speed and power into a powerful package that is complimented by a never ending motor.

At this point, Brennan Scarlett lists no favorites among his suitors but it is interesting to note that he has camped with USC, which can't hurt.

Malcolm Mitchell

You would think the Trojans have enough wide receivers, but when you have a chance at an "under the radar" player like Malcolm Mitchell, you make room if he accepts.

Mitchell, who goes 6'1", 190 lbs., is a rare blend of power (he says he can bench press 265 lbs.) and speed (4.4 forty). But that's not all. Last year, Mitchell scored touchdowns six different ways, which means he is very versatile as well.

Right now, Mitchell holds several scholarship offers from most of the major programs and lists them all as "medium" in terms of his interest.

Kent Turene

Turene is an intriguing player who plays a position (outside linebacker) that the Trojans have a real need for. In addition to displaying great ball hawking skill, Turene also has the size and speed to be a force on the outside.

Though only rated a three-star by Scout.com at this point, expect Turene to rise quickly, especially if he improves on the ten sacks he recorded last year as a junior.

Turene, who is from Lauderdale Lakes, FL, has dozens of scholarship offers and he lists them all as "medium" interest wise.

Jacob Fahrenkrug

Another player at a position of need (offensive tackle) for the Trojans, Jacob Fahrenkrug is a massive young man. Standing 6'4" and weighing 315 lbs, Fahrenkrug also is mobile and can "pull" if necessary.

Hailing from a good junior college program, North Dakota State, Fahrenkrug holds many offers and lists them all as "medium" on his interest list.

Lemar Dawson

Lemar Dawson is a fast-rising, four-star middle linebacker from Danville, KY, that everyone would love to have. Big (6'2", 230 lbs.) and fast (4.6 forty), Dawson is just now coming into his own as a linebacker as evidenced by his eye-popping 160 tackles last year as a junior.

Coveted by many programs, expect Dawson, believe it or not, to sign with his hometown college, Kentucky.

Okay, thats enough for one week.

More offers are on the way and when they come, I will bring the news as it becomes available.

But don't look for me to make anymore predictions regarding either Trojans offers or prep players accepting.

I've embarrassed myself enough already . . .