USC Recruiting: News, Views and Updates

While the recruiting machine for USC has slowed considerably after the NCAA handed down it's punishments to the Trojans in June, it has not stopped completely, nor has the recruiting world around USC ceased to turn.

The Trojans continue to selectively offer prep players that they think can fit the more stringent requirements brought about by the specter of reduced scholarships for this recruiting year.

In addition, intriguing developments have taken place with Trojans recruits in other sports that ultimately may effect the football program.

The latest of these involve Vista Murieta's (Ca.) Jovonte Slater , who accepted a full scholarship to run track for the Trojans.

Slater, who had offers from all of the top programs in the country, finished second in the 100 meters, third in the 200 meter, and helped lead his high school to the CIF division one southern section title.

Of course, for Trojans fans, Slater's track performance is only incidental to their focus.

While Slater has gone on record as saying track is his primary interest, it should be noted that he also returned kicks and played running back for his high school football team.

And football is not far from his mind.

According to an article from the Riverside Press Enterprise , Slater has gone on record as saying he plans on giving thought to walking on for the football team in a couple of years.

Yet, with the Trojans facing severe restrictions on available scholarships to offer, don't be surprised if Lane Kiffin attempts to speed up that timetable.

Meanwhile, the Trojans have extended scholarship offers to a couple of players, one from the prep ranks and the other who plies his trade in junior college.

Javarius Allen from Lincoln high school in Tallahassee, Fl., is a running back with good size (6'1," 210 lbs.), and versatility.

Allen, rated a three-star prospect by Scout.com , rushed for over 1,000 yards, and had 12 total touchdowns as a junior in 2009.

Allen holds scholarship offers from most of the top programs in the country and lists them all as "medium" on his interest list.

Meanwhile, the other recipient of a Trojans offer also provides a bit of intrigue regarding the Trojans verbal commits for 2010.

Maurice Couch , a defensive linemen from Garden City, JC, brings all of the physical attributes needed to the table to be a top defensive interior lineman.

Couch, who goes 6'2," 295 lbs., is rated a three-star prospect by Scout.com . The site goes on to say that Couch's versatility will allow him to play at either the three technique or nose tackle positions.

Couch lists his interest in the Trojans as "medium."

The reason why this offer is intriguing is because USC commit, Antuan Woods, has changed his status from a solid verbal to a "soft" verbal.

Though Woods is still thought to be a heavy Trojans "lean," it appears that Kiffin is hedging his bet just in case.

Finally, a talented, young player who desperately wanted to be a Trojan, now appears to be headed elsewhere after not receiving an offer from USC.

Todd Barr , the talented four-star defensive end from Lakewood high school, had always wanted to play for the Trojans, and to that end, had always rated them "high" on his interest list.

Not anymore.

Barr now has USC rated only as "medium" on his dance card, and after patiently waiting for an offer that has yet to come, it appears he will turn in attention elsewhere.

Why the Trojans have waited to pull the trigger on Barr defies explanation, but be it far from me to question Kiffin, Ed Orgeron, or the recruiting department at USC.

That's it.

A slow period in recruiting has ground almost to a halt for USC, and this is probably a reflection of things to come, unless the Trojans are successful in having some of their scholarships returned on appeal from the NCAA.

If they are indeed returned some "schollies," it still may mean that USC simply has run out of viable candidates for scholarship offers.

Better to have unused scholarships available and a dearth of players to offer them to, than to have too many players without the ability to bring them into the fold.

And for that assumption, even I don't need to defer to Kiffin and company.