USC Trojans Football Recruiting: 4-Star Linebacker Anthony Sarao Commits

With the 2010 college football recruiting season winding down, the Trojans recruiting department is running in high gear.

Following former Stanford verbal commit Amir Carlisle's defection to USC, another Stanford commit followed suit today, and in doing so, helps fill a major void in the Trojans defense.

Anthony Sarao, a 4-star (as rated by Scout.com) middle linebacker from Absecon, New Jersey pulled the trigger for the Trojans after spending the weekend at USC bathed in the warm southern California sunshine.

However, regardless of the weather, what really drew Sarao to the Trojans was the opportunity to play for defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and linebackers coach Joe Barry.

Sarao was quoted by Scout.com as saying, “It was just the right place for me. When I was at USC with the coaching staff, I just felt that they are going to make me the best that I can be. It was the best place for me right now.”

With the Trojans need for impact linebackers, the feeling was mutual.

In Sarao, the Trojans get a physical and fast man in the middle who is as capable of covering the passing lanes as he is of stuffing ball carriers.

For Trojan fans, they will be heartened to know that the last linebacker from New Jersey to come west to play for the Trojans was some guy named Brian Cushing.

Sarao has that type of potential as well.

With Sarao's verbal, the Trojans extend a remarkable recruiting season.

Despite the specter of looming sanctions which may deprive the Trojans of 10 scholarships a year for the next three years and another year of no postseason play, USC just keeps rolling along.

If every prep player who gave the Trojans a verbal commitment does wind up signing on the dotted line come Feb. 2, the day that letter of intent contracts are inked, USC should have a top five class nationally.

Much credit must be extended to head coach Lane Kiffin, recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron and the entire USC staff for rising above the punishments that many say have been unfairly imposed by the NCAA.

Now the Trojans add another premier prep player at a position of real need with two starters leaving the team due to graduation.

As much as Anthony Sarao loves the prospect of being a Trojan, the fact of the matter is that the Trojans need him even more.

It's funny how things work out.

A month ago, Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh was vilified at USC.

Now with his departure to the NFL, USC is reaping the rewards of disillusioned former Stanford verbals coming into the USC fold.

For that Trojan nation thanks Jim Harbaugh and no longer cares about what "his deal is."

This just begs one final question.

Any more Stanford commits want to come down south?