Max Wittek and Cody Kessler: Was USC the Right Choice?
USC signed two dynamic quarterbacks in its 2011 recruiting class in Max Wittek and Cody Kessler. Both recruits are labeled as 4-star, pro-style QB prospects heading into the Trojans' program. As always, whenever you see two highly ranked players both sign with one school, a compare-and-contrast debate begins on an array of topics surrounding the two players.
With Kessler and Wittek both signing with USC, we want to examine if both of them made the right choice by pledging to Troy. We'll examine a list of significant factors and weigh how they affect both big-time quarterbacks. Playing QB at USC has gone from an insignificant position, to now being one of the coveted jobs in all of sports.
Did Wittek and Kessler make the correct choice to go after the job?
Coaching at USC
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Kessler and Wittek will get very good coaching at USC. Head coach Lane Kiffin is a renowned offensive mind and has worked with quarterbacks like Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez, John David Booty to now Matt Barkley all at USC. Each QB has put up gaudy numbers and improved year-to-year.
Offensive coordinator Kennedy Pola is a running back specialist, so QB coach Clay Helton becomes even more imperative. Helton has gained great reviews for helping Matt Barkley learn Kiffin's offensive system in such a short time.
The Trojan offense is about as "pro-style" as you can find in college football, and prepares QBs well for the NFL. If Kessler and Wittek both aim to be professional-pigskin tossers, then choosing to play at Troy will prepare them thoroughly to do so.
Offensive Fit
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As I said before, the Trojan offense is a pro-style attack that has a very similar resemblance to a version of the West Coast offense. Terminology and concepts are very similar. Also, Kiffin likes to align in multiple formations, yet still run the same group of plays.
This makes it hard for the defense to decipher because of the various alignments, but easier for his offense to learn since they are running the same group of plays. Kiffin also does a solid job of exploiting matchups and getting his playmakers the ball. Ask Reggie Bush.
Wittek has a bigger arm and will be able to drive the ball downfield a bit more consistently, yet Kessler, whose arm strength is not lacking either, doesn't have as much of a "gunslinger's" mentality as Wittek does. Both players have skill sets that fit the offense well, so their decisions cannot be questioned here.
Depth Chart and Competition
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Here's where it gets interesting.
Obviously, as long as Matt Barkley is still walking around Heritage Hall, he's the sheriff. But Barkley is eligible to enter the NFL Draft after the 2011 season, and is held in high regards by NFL scouts. Mel Kiper has stated that Barkley will be a No.1 pick when he comes out, though the general consensus is Andrew Luck is rated a bit higher than Barkley.
Right now, Barkley's backup is Jesse Scroggins, who will be a redshirt freshman in 2011. Scroggins is a 6'4," 200-pounder with a rifle arm and great athleticism. He's a pocket-passer who can gain yards with his legs.
Whenever Barkley leaves, Scroggins will try to fend off Kessler and Wittek as they all will do battle for the starting job. Signing with a school that you know will give you a chance to compete for a starting job is a very wise choice.
May the best man win.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
USC QB Tradition and Lineage
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There have a been a slew of great quarterbacks to don the cardinal and gold, but up until Carson Palmer won the Heisman Trophy in 2002, the running back and No. 55 linebacker positions have been more storied for the Trojans.
Now USC boasts two Heisman Trophy winners in Palmer and Matt Leinart, a top-five NFL draft pick in Mark Sanchez and the USC QB job is one of the celebrity jobs in sports. Matt Cassel never even started for USC, got drafted in the seventh round by the Patriots and now is regarded as the Chiefs' franchise QB.
You can't knock Kessler and Wittek in this department either for choosing USC at all. Starting at QB in Troy is kind of a big deal in all of football.
Talent Around Them
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This is a no-brainer. USC has a roster littered with talent at just about every position and I'm not going to even try to list the 5-star and 4-star recruits that make up the Trojan program.
Kiffin and Co., did an amazing job of restocking the cupboard with a top-five recruiting class in 2011, including signing several talented offensive linemen including Aundrey Walker and Cyrus Hobbi.
The receiver position, which will make Kessler and Wittek happy, is embarrassed in riches. Just about every receiver listed on the Trojans' depth chart can start for another program in college football. The USC running back position has a stable of backs in Marc Tyler, Dillon Baxter, and speedster DJ Morgan.
The defensive side also has a ton of young talent, that will help USC get back atop the Pac-12. Kessler and Wittek choosing USC looks like an extremely wise choice in the talent department.
Chance to Win Championships
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The bowl ban doesn't really affect either Kessler or Wittek because they are both likely to redshirt in 2011, as USC finishes its two-year ban form any postseason play.
As 2012 and beyond rolls forward, the Trojans, thanks in part to their talent, will be in line to compete for Pac-12 titles and Rose Bowl berths year in and year out. They will be fighting scholarship reductions and a bit of a depth problem, but USC does a great job in evaluating recruits and signing quality players.
I'm not saying USC will go right back to dominating the Pac-12 and being main partakers of BCS bowls, but the Trojans will be able to win and compete for conference titles soon during Kessler and Wittek's tenure at USC.
National Exposure
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USC dodged a big bullet from the NCAA as there was some talk about banning the Trojans form being shown on television aside from a two-year bowl ban. Yet even with USC being in the midst of sanctions, the Trojans were a featured team on ABC's Saturday Night College Football telecasts several times.
USC also found itself in the top 20 of a few polls for some parts of the opening weeks of the 2010 season. The Trojans are the team and program of the 2000s, and still are a major draw not only in Los Angeles but also the country. Playing well while at USC will definitely give you national acclaim.
Also, USC is a major must-see for NFL scouts. The Trojan pro day is a big event for the NFL and draws almost every general manager, scouting director and head coach year in and year out to watch the Trojan draft prospects workout.
You can't knock Kessler and Wittek here either.
Chance of a Transfer
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As always, you have a program sign two highly ranked recruits at the same position in the same class, you wonder if a transfer is possible. I'm not sure if I see one coming from either recruit if they fail to win the starting job.
They will both have to compete with Scroggins, but both seem to have such admiration for the overall university and program. With Matt Cassel not playing, yet still getting drafted, and with even Mitch Mustain likely getting some looks as an undrafted free agent, I can easily foresee both players staying at USC.
But anything's possible.
Conclusion
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Both players made the right choice. First, you can't be afraid to compete against anybody, as there will always be competition for a job. Wittek and Kessler will not only battle each other but also Scroggins.
Second, the factors listed on this list all point the arrow to yes for each player. They both fit the offense well, both will get good coaching and will be afforded a chance to compete and win ball games at USC.
Aside from a very solid education and a chance to live in Los Angeles for four to five years, Max Wittek and Cody Kessler each made the right choice by signing with USC.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
