College Football Recruiting: Hobbi, Dawson Headline USC's Big Weekend Visit List
As USC puts the final bows on the 2010 recruiting package, this weekend marks perhaps the most important visit days for blue chip prep talent.
No less than 14 premier high school players will be making the trip west to hear head coach Lane Kiffin, recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, and the rest of the Trojan staff's final pitch as to why donning the cardinal and gold would be in their best interest.
While some of these recruits have already given their verbal pledge to USC, there are many who are in the final stages of making a decision as to where they will play their college ball and this weekend may go a long way in helping them make their decision.
One player who will not be taking a visit to USC is five-star offensive tackle Christian Westerman, who unfortunately for the Trojans, canceled his visit.
Nonetheless, there are critical recruits visiting this weekend and this slide show will offer a look at these prospective Trojans, including a slide that will reflect the multiple players who have already pledged to USC and will be making a visit just to ensure their commitment is correct.
Those players who have not given USC a verbal commitment will receive their own slide and be rated in terms of their importance to the program.
So without further delay, let's take a look at this weekends important visitors...
Note: All "star" ratings provided by Scout.com.
Trojan Verbal Commits Making The Weekend Trip to USC
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Among the 14 recruits making the trip to USC this weekend are six players who have already given their pledge to the Trojans.
Included among these Trojan pledges are three five-star players, one four-star, and two three-star players as rated by Scout.com.
Here is a thumbnail sketch of these committed Trojans:
George Farmer Jr. (Five-star wide receiver)
It had been assumed for a couple of years now that Farmer would wind up at USC and when he finally made the verbal commitment, it immediately pushed the Trojans to the top end of the list of the nation's most dynamic wide receiver duos. With former Serra high school teammate on the opposite side, Robert Woods, Farmer and Woods will give opposing defensive coordinators' nightmares for years to come.
DeAnthony Thomas (Five-star cornerback/running back/kick returner)
Nicknamed "The Black Mamba," Thomas is simply electric no matter where he plays. Though projected at the next level as a cornerback, Thomas also has aspirations of playing running back and with his talent, who can argue? A threat to score whenever he has the rock, look for Lane Kiffin to find a way to get Thomas touches in many creative ways, which means you may see him on both sides of the ball.
Greg Townsend Jr. (Five-star defensive end)
Another of those players who were long thought to be Trojan locks, Townsend finally pulled the trigger at the Under Armour game a couple of weeks ago. Powerful, fast, and possessing a motor that never quits, look for Townsend to push for playing time from the moment he steps on to the practice field.
Antwaun Woods (Four-star defensive tackle)
Though listed as a "soft verbal," Antwaun Woods is destined to wear the cardinal and gold. Despite his massive 6'1", 315 pound size, Woods is surprisingly quick and will anchor the Trojans interior defensive line in a couple of years, if not sooner.
Marcus Martin (Three-star offensive tackle)
Martin, who spent the last year opening holes for his Crenshaw high school teammate, DeAnthony Thomas, will be a welcome addition for a very thin Trojan offensive line. Though somewhat raw, Martin possesses the talent to dominate at the college level and beyond.
Kent Turene (Three-star linebacker)
The Trojans need linebackers and Kent Turene is a good one. However, Turene is listed as a "soft verbal" and he will be making other trips so it is important that the Trojans make a good impression while they have the chance. Turene, who hails from Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, is big (6'3", 225 pounds) and quick, with a great nose for the football.
Now lets look at the nine prospects the Trojans are welcoming this weekend, rated in terms of their importance to the program...
8. Ryan Henderson (3-Star Cornerback)
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Make no mistake about it, Ryan Henderson is a talented cornerback.
There is also almost no chance that he will sign with USC.
Having already given a verbal commitment to Utah, Henderson most likely is just passing the weekend with a free trip to Trojanville.
In addition to the unlikely possibility that Henderson signs with USC, there is also the fact that the Trojans are pretty well set in the defensive backfield.
All of which for USC makes Ryan Henderson the least valuable of this weekends visitors.
7. Marcus Roberson (4-Star Safety)
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Another of those players who, though talented, will be very unlikely to make the plunge for USC.
Roberson, who is described by Scout.com as a "big cornerback or thin safety," is quick and has a good nose for the ball, but again, the defensive backfield is pretty well stocked for USC.
Combine that with Roberson's stated interest in Auburn, which he rates as "high" and his disinterest in USC (rated "low"), and it is easy to assume this trip is a just a free way for young Marcus to pass the time.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
6. Karlos Williams (4-Star Safety)
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Karlos Williams, rated as the number four safety in the nation by Scout.com, is a beast.
At 6'1", 205 pounds, Williams has all the tools to be dominant at the next level.
Unfortunately, it won't be for the Trojans.
Williams rates his interest in USC as "low" and is expected to wind up at Florida State, whom he has already given a "soft verbal" to.
At the Under Armour all-star prep game, Williams was all over the place and his disruptive style should have Seminole fans pleased for years to come.
Have a nice freebie trip to LA Karlos.
5. Erique Florence (4-Star Safety)
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Unlike Karlos Williams, the Trojans have a realistic shot at signing Erique Florence.
And though USC is well stocked in the defensive backfield, Florence has all the measurables that any major program is looking for in the position.
Though a bit light (185 pounds), Florence has the frame (6'2") to pack on extra bulk at the next level.
But more importantly, Florence is fast.
Safeties who run 4.46 forties are few and far between and while Florence is still a bit raw, he is a quick learner and is devoted to the game.
Although Erique Florence has offers from major programs such as Alabama and Auburn as well as most of the rest of the SEC, only those two and USC have scheduled visits from young Erique and he lists all as "medium" in terms of his interest.
This is a recruit that the Trojans could definitely make room for in their crowded defensive backfield.
4. Anthony Sarao (4-Star Middle Linebacker)
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Linebacker is a position of real need for the Trojans and Anthony Sarao is a damn good one.
Rated the number 11 best prospect at the position, Sarao is a tough, hard nosed middle 'backer who always seems to be in the thick of things on the football field.
At 6'1", 220 pounds, Sarao is a force in the middle who is particularly tough against the run.
So why is Sarao only rated as the fourth most important recruit to visit the Trojans this weekend?
Because he is a soft verbal to Stanford, who only decided to take a visit to USC because Jim Harbaugh left the Cardinal.
Of course, stranger things have happened and if they did in the case of Anthony Sarao, the Trojans would be mighty happy to have him.
3. Aundrey Walker (4-Star Offensive Guard)
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It is generally thought that the unit of most need of replenishing for the Trojans is the offensive line.
And where better to start than Aundrey Walker?
Walker, who hails from Cleveland, Ohio, is simply massive.
Standing at 6'5" and weighing in at a hefty 355 pounds, Walker is a force on the interior line.
However, he is still raw and despite his size, he has a lot of room to grow technique-wise.
Still, you can't teach size and he will become a force with the proper tutelage.
Aundrey Walker has received offers from most of the Big-12 and has visits scheduled to Michigan, Ohio State, and others in the conference, but USC is the only out of conference school he will visit and he has the Trojans, as all others, listed as "medium" on his dance card.
2. Lamar Dawson (4-Star Middle Linebacker)
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As mentioned previously, linebacker is a position of real need for the Trojans and Lamar Dawson is a good one.
Dawson, rated the number six best linebacker prospect in the nation by Scout.com, combines size (6'2", 220 pounds) with good speed to form an imposing force in the middle, particularly against the run.
Though he needs to improve his pass coverage skills, Dawson has the desire and more importantly, the tools to become a premier linebacker at the next level.
With several offers in hand, Dawson will also be making trips to Tennessee and Central Florida after having already visited Kentucky and Oregon.
In terms of his interest in these programs, Dawson lists them all as "medium."
Coach Kiffin and company hope to change that after this weekend.
1. Cyrus Hobbi (4-Star Offensive Guard)
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With the Trojans needing help on the offensive line, getting a commitment from big Cyrus Hobbi would go a long way toward easing those needs.
Rated the number nine offensive lineman by Scout.com, Hobbi, who comes from a big time high school program in Arizona, should be ready to start almost from the beginning of his college career.
Hobbi, who goes 6'3", 285 pounds, will most likely start at guard and if develops additional flexibility, could wind up as a tackle.
At either position, Hobbi will be a force at the next level.
Hobbi holds offers from most of the Pac-12 and will take a visit to UCLA next week after having already visited Nebraska, Oregon State, and Arizona State.
Cyrus Hobbi lists them all as "medium" interest-wise.
Conclusion
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There they are.
14 recruits, some already in the fold, some not, whom the Trojans would dearly love to add to their roster before the NCAA sanctions take hold.
Many of these recruits would fill positions of real need for USC, while others would simply add depth.
Of these prep stars who have not given USC a verbal, the Trojans covet offensive linemen and linebackers more than any other position.
So how many of these talented players will wear the cardinal and gold for the Trojans next year?
Tough to say, but if they don't come west, it won't be from a lack of effort by the Trojans staff.
Only time will tell if any of these players will sign on the Trojan dotted line and that won't occur until February 2.
Stay tuned.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
