National Signing Day 2011: DeAnthony Thomas Leads USC’s Top 10 Commitments
In a season of flux, when uncertainty reigns over the USC football program due to the Trojans appeal of the NCAA sanctions which may cost USC 10 scholarships a year for the next three years, the process of recruiting has been a difficult task for head coach Lane Kiffin and his staff.
But you wouldn’t know it by the results.
At a time when most programs would be crippled by the sanctions imposed on USC for transgressions committed in the Reggie Bush scandal, the Trojans, lead by Kiffin and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, just keep bringing in blue chip prospects who want to be part of what USC is building, damn the sanctions.
So let’s get started on the 10 most important Trojan recruits for 2010.
Note: All “star” ratings are supplied by Scout.com
No. 10 J.R. Tavai (Three-Star Fullback)
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So why is a three-star defensive lineman/fullback on this list of the top 10 Trojan recruits?
Because Stanley Havili is no longer on the USC roster.
With Havili’s graduation, the Trojans will need to groom a reliable replacement quick because in Lane Kiffin’s pro style offense, the fullback position is critical.
And make no mistake about it, J.R. Tavai is a beast.
Tavai will be given a look on the defensive line, but most expect him to wind up at fullback and that is why he cracked the list at No. 10.
No. 9 Andre Heidari (Three-Star Place Kicker/Punter)
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Anyone who saw the trials and tribulations of USC’s place kickers in 2010 will understand why Andre Heidari made this list.
But Heidari isn’t just any old kicker.
According to Scout.com, Heidari is the second best prep kicker in the country.
A graduate of the Chris Sailor kicking school, Heidari is guaranteed to make all those ugly field goal misses of 2010 a distant memory.
No. 8 Jeremy Galten, David Garness, Marcus Martin and Cody Temple
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Though none of these JUCO (Garness and Galten) or prep (Martin and Temple) offensive linemen would have made the list on their own, the collective group fill an immediate and dire need for Trojans—depth on the offensive line.
And all of these “big uglies” are solid players in their own right.
Garness and Galten were both named first team all conference in 2010 and Cody Temple, though more polished on the defensive line, has the tools and the desire to be a good lineman.
As for Marcus Martin, he is huge (6’4 and 1/2”, 310 lbs.) and was dominant opening huge holes for his Crenshaw high school teammate, DeAnthony Thomas (more on him later).
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 7 Greg Townsend Jr. (Five-Star Defensive End)
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You know USC had a great year in the recruiting department when a talent like defensive end Greg Townsend Jr. only makes it to No. 7 on the list.
And the reason he is so low has nothing to do with his abilities.
The fact of the matter is that Townsend, at 240 lbs., will need to bulk up a bit to see a bunch of playing time in 2011.
Which means there is a chance that he will redshirt this year.
Of course, nothing says that Townsend won’t go in and wow everyone thus resulting in forcing Kiffin to play him. He is that good.
Whatever happens, whether Townsend sees the playing field this year or next, rest assured that he will be a star in the years to come.
And he will be placed a lot higher up on lists more important than this one.
No. 6 Max Wittek and Cody Kessler (Four-Star Quarterbacks)
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With Matt Barkley going into what may be his last season in a Trojan uniform and only redshirt freshman quarterback Jesse Scroggins as a viable backup, it was critical that USC start grooming the next great Trojan signal caller.
So it made sense that USC would offer local products Cody Kessler from Bakersfield and Matt Wittek from legendary Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Ca., with hopes that they would get one or the other.
Instead they got both.
Cody Kessler, rated the No. 12 top quarterback in the nation by Scout.com, is big 6’2”, 225 lbs. and quick enough to avoid trouble in the pocket.
Meanwhile, Max Wittek, the No. 13 rated quarterback has good size as well (6’3”, 205 lbs.) and has great pocket presence to go along with a big arm.
Teaming up with fellow Trojan commit, wide receiver Victor Blackwell, Wittek had a fine year for the Monarchs of Mater Dei, one of the most respected high school teams in the nation.
Oh, and for good measure, Wittek was named MVP at this years Under Armour all-star game.
No. 5 Antwaun Woods (Four-Star Defensive Tackle)
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When Jurrell Casey announced his decision to enter the NFL draft, the needs of the Trojans interior defensive line took on new urgency.
Then, when massive Hebron Fangupo decided to transfer from USC, the need for depth at defensive tackle became even more apparent.
Though USC has capable replacements for Casey and Fangupo in the form of DaJohn Harris, George Uko and Christian Tupou, both Harris and Tupou are seniors so grooming line help is a major necessity.
In Woods the Trojans get a huge (6’1”, 310 lbs.) defensive tackle that is a rock against the run and quick enough to get penetration on passing plays.
No. 4 Anthony Sarao (Four-Star Middle Linebacker)
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The two Trojan position units that most agree are of critical importance to USC in this recruiting class is the offense line and the linebacker’s squads.
With Michael Morgan and Malcolm Smith’s graduation, the Trojans are in dire need of new blood at the position.
This makes the recent verbal commitment of Anthony Sarao, a 6’1”, 225 lb. beast of a 'backer so important.
Sarao is ranked the eighth best linebacker at his position by Scout.com and he is expected to vie for playing time from the moment he slips on his uniform.
It should also be noted that the Trojans have received two other commitments from talented prep linebackers, Tre Madden and Kent Turene, both rated three-star prospects, as well.
No. 3 Jalen Grimble (Five-Star Defensive Tackle/End)
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With all of the recent verbal commitments for the Trojans, it is easy to forget that one of the biggest pledges occurred for USC almost eight months ago.
Jalen Grimble, the cousin of five-star 2009 Trojan tight end commit Xavier Grimble, is an incredibly talented defensive lineman.
Quick enough to play end, but with the power to move inside, Grimble’s versatility will become a valuable commodity for defensive line coach Ed Orgeron in the very near future.
No. 2 George Farmer Jr. (Five-Star Wide Receiver)
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Despite the fact that USC is rich with talented wide-outs, there is no way a fabulous receiver like George Farmer Jr. doesn’t rate high on this list.
With Farmer’s commitment, the Trojans will be in possession, along with 2009 wide receiver recruit (and former fellow high school teammate) Robert Woods, of possibly the most dynamic wide receiver duo in the nation.
Blending a rare combination of power and speed, Farmer will give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares for years to come.
No. 1 DeAnthony Thomas (Five-Star Cornerback/Running Back/Kick Returner)
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Though it has yet to be determined exactly what position he will play, Thomas, nicknamed “The Black Mamba,” will have make a significant impact wherever he is.
Although not big, Thomas is exceedingly fast, quick, and is a threat to go all the way whenever he has the ball in his hands.
Thomas wants to play running back, but most agree that his future is at cornerback where he is likely to go as a high first round NFL draft pick when his time at USC has finished.
Regardless of where he plays at USC, he is a dynamic player whose talent will force Lane Kiffin to find creative ways to get the ball in his hands.
Conclusion
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While legitimate complaints can be leveled for the order and even the inclusion (or exclusion) of certain players, this was a difficult task, one certainly more arduous than anticipated.
Because USC’s recruiting efforts have been so effective this year, when this list of the ten best recruits was compiled, such excellent athletes as Victor Blackwell, Tre Madden, Amir Carlisle and Kent Turene were left off completely. Not because they aren’t talented, but simply because there is only ten spots available.
However, it is a list that may need revising because the Trojans have been known to pull signing day surprises and other extraordinary athletes may come into the USC fold.
If so, that is a problem that the Trojans coaching staff and their fans will love to have.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
