With the way things have gone this recruiting period, perhaps USC's scholarship limitations aren't all that bad.
The Trojans kept chugging along Wednesday, receiving a verbal commitment from four-star offensive guard Khaliel Rodgers (Elkton, Md./Eastern Christian Academy), the 12th member of the 2013 class. Rodgers confirmed the commitment on his Facebook page.
A 13th athlete could make the call for the Cardinal and Gold Wednesday evening when four-star offensive tackle Nico Falah (Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco) announces his decision during a ceremony at his school.
The Trojans kept chugging along Wednesday, receiving a verbal commitment from four-star offensive guard Khaliel Rodgers (Elkton, Md./Eastern Christian Academy), the 12th member of the 2013 class. Rodgers confirmed the commitment on his Facebook page.
A 13th athlete could make the call for the Cardinal and Gold Wednesday evening when four-star offensive tackle Nico Falah (Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco) announces his decision during a ceremony at his school.
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Khaliel Rodgers apparently got the scholarship offer he had long been waiting for.
The offensive lineman from Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian announced on his Facebook page that he was committed to Southern California.
"So blessed to be committed to USC," he said simply.
The offensive lineman from Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian announced on his Facebook page that he was committed to Southern California.
"So blessed to be committed to USC," he said simply.
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Todd Kelly Jr. is thinking about Huskies' offer 
July, 11, 2012
7/11/12
2:52
PM PT
By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Todd Kelly, Jr. has a another West Coast scholarship offer to consider.
The 2014 safety from Knoxville (Tn.) Webb recently received an invite from Washington, which joins Southern California and UCLA as Pac-12 schools that have offered him a scholarship.
The 2014 safety from Knoxville (Tn.) Webb recently received an invite from Washington, which joins Southern California and UCLA as Pac-12 schools that have offered him a scholarship.
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Two of Tennessee's top prospects are close to ending their recruitment.
Offensive tackle Christian Morris from Memphis East told ESPN he'll announce his college destination on Thursday from his school. He is down to Nebraska and UCLA.
Morris has said he'd like to play on the West Coast. He seemed very interested in Southern Cal before they backed off just days after offering him a scholarship. He's said he's also fond of Nebraska's style.
Offensive tackle Christian Morris from Memphis East told ESPN he'll announce his college destination on Thursday from his school. He is down to Nebraska and UCLA.
Morris has said he'd like to play on the West Coast. He seemed very interested in Southern Cal before they backed off just days after offering him a scholarship. He's said he's also fond of Nebraska's style.
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ESPN.com's series on FBS coaches continues with this question: Which coach in the Pac-12 provides the biggest bang for the buck?
That's tough to answer for a number of reasons.
Two years ago, it would have been easy to say that Oregon State's Mike Riley provided the most bang for the buck. Riley won 36 games from 2006-09 before the Beavers tumbled to consecutive losing seasons. And he did that with a fairly modest salary.
Here are the latest numbers.
By the way, David Shaw's salary at Stanford has been estimated at $1.75 million. It seems, in any event, that it's too early to rate Shaw and Colorado's Embree as second-year coaches. And it makes no sense to look at the track record of the four new coaches, because the past doesn't mean anything for the new schools, though you could say Arizona got Rodriguez at below market value.
So who provides the most bang for the buck? I have two answers: Whittingham and Kelly.
Why? Well, name the two coaches on the above list who have won BCS bowl games at their present job.
Whittingham is 66-25 (.725) at Utah, including double-digit wins in three of the past four seasons. His worst season in seven years was 7-5 in 2005. After an 0-4 start in Pac-12 play last fall, he rallied his team behind a backup QB who transferred from Nebraska-Omaha, and the Utes nearly won the South Division. Oh, and he's 7-1 in bowl games.
Further, Whittingham has been loyal to Utah. He's had opportunities to leave but he's stuck around.
Kelly is the Pac-12's highest-paid coach by a fairly wide margin. He was guaranteed $2.8 million in 2011 and will make $3.5 million this season, according to USA Today. So why does he rate highly in terms of bang for the buck? Well, there's a 34-6 (.850) record, including a 25-2 mark in Pac-12 games (.926). And there are three consecutive conference titles. And an undefeated regular season in 2010, after which the Ducks fell just short of beating Auburn for the national title. And there's the Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin in January.
Kelly has delivered a super-elite level of performance in his three seasons. If you were to name the nation's best coaches, you wouldn't have to wait long after Nick Saban and Urban Meyer to get to Kelly.
He gets big bucks, yes, but he has delivered unprecedented bang to the Ducks' program.
Any Oregon fans think he's overpaid?
That's tough to answer for a number of reasons.
- There are four new coaches in the Pac-12 this season.
- There were two new coaches last season.
- USC and Stanford, as private schools, don't provide salary information for their coaches, though USA Today reported that Lane Kiffin made $2.4 million in 2010, way less than had been widely reported.
Two years ago, it would have been easy to say that Oregon State's Mike Riley provided the most bang for the buck. Riley won 36 games from 2006-09 before the Beavers tumbled to consecutive losing seasons. And he did that with a fairly modest salary.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Tony GutierrezChip Kelly may be the Pac-12's highest-paid coach, but he's worth the money.
AP Photo/Tony GutierrezChip Kelly may be the Pac-12's highest-paid coach, but he's worth the money.Chip Kelly, Oregon, $2.8 million
Lane Kiffin, USC, $2.4 million*
Jim Mora, UCLA, $2.4 million**
Jeff Tedford, California, $2.3 million
Steve Sarkisian, Washington, $2.25 million
Mike Leach, Washington State, $2.25 million
Todd Graham, Arizona State, $2 million
Kyle Whittingham, Utah, $2 million
Rich Rodriguez, Arizona, $1.91 million
Mike Riley, Oregon State, $1,313,471
Jon Embree, Colorado, $725,000
*It's perfectly reasonable to posit that Kiffin made more than this in 2011 and also will in 2012.
**Mora's number is an average of his five-year, $12 million contract. He'll likely make less than this figure this season.
By the way, David Shaw's salary at Stanford has been estimated at $1.75 million. It seems, in any event, that it's too early to rate Shaw and Colorado's Embree as second-year coaches. And it makes no sense to look at the track record of the four new coaches, because the past doesn't mean anything for the new schools, though you could say Arizona got Rodriguez at below market value.
So who provides the most bang for the buck? I have two answers: Whittingham and Kelly.
Why? Well, name the two coaches on the above list who have won BCS bowl games at their present job.
Whittingham is 66-25 (.725) at Utah, including double-digit wins in three of the past four seasons. His worst season in seven years was 7-5 in 2005. After an 0-4 start in Pac-12 play last fall, he rallied his team behind a backup QB who transferred from Nebraska-Omaha, and the Utes nearly won the South Division. Oh, and he's 7-1 in bowl games.
Further, Whittingham has been loyal to Utah. He's had opportunities to leave but he's stuck around.
Kelly is the Pac-12's highest-paid coach by a fairly wide margin. He was guaranteed $2.8 million in 2011 and will make $3.5 million this season, according to USA Today. So why does he rate highly in terms of bang for the buck? Well, there's a 34-6 (.850) record, including a 25-2 mark in Pac-12 games (.926). And there are three consecutive conference titles. And an undefeated regular season in 2010, after which the Ducks fell just short of beating Auburn for the national title. And there's the Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin in January.
Kelly has delivered a super-elite level of performance in his three seasons. If you were to name the nation's best coaches, you wouldn't have to wait long after Nick Saban and Urban Meyer to get to Kelly.
He gets big bucks, yes, but he has delivered unprecedented bang to the Ducks' program.
Any Oregon fans think he's overpaid?
Devon Allen (Phoenix/Brophy Prep) knows it’s time to start narrowing things down.
The three-star receiver has trimmed his list of favorite schools down to 15, and he plans to take five unofficial visits later this month.
Allen told HornsNation his top 15 are, in no particular order: Arkansas, Arizona State, California, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Stanford, Texas, UCLA, USC and Washington.
The three-star receiver has trimmed his list of favorite schools down to 15, and he plans to take five unofficial visits later this month.
Allen told HornsNation his top 15 are, in no particular order: Arkansas, Arizona State, California, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Stanford, Texas, UCLA, USC and Washington.
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The football room at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif. figures to draw quite the crowd Wednesday evening for four-star offensive tackle Nico Falah's highly anticipated college announcement.
After Bosco's four-hour summer practice, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman will clean up, make his way to the ceremony and officially commit. He'll utter either three letters or four -- USC or UCLA.
"I'm staying close to home. That's the only hint," Falah said.
After Bosco's four-hour summer practice, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman will clean up, make his way to the ceremony and officially commit. He'll utter either three letters or four -- USC or UCLA.
"I'm staying close to home. That's the only hint," Falah said.
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Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) planned to release a list of his top 15 schools shortly after the opening, but settled on a final 16 when it became too difficult to cut an additional program.
The schools that made the cut for Willis are Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
The schools that made the cut for Willis are Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
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WR commits build bond at The Opening
July, 10, 2012
7/10/12
11:23
AM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
One of the benefits of the many recruiting camps and combines that take place in the spring and summer months is that players who have committed to the same school can get to know each other.
That concept certainly applies to the USC receiver group for the class of 2013 with Eldridge Massington (Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite), Steven Mitchell (Mission Hills, Calif./Alemany) and Sebastian LaRue (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica).
Over the past month, that receiver trio has been a part of three separate camps -- the most recent being The Opening in Oregon -- so there has been a real opportunity to bond over shared experiences before becoming college teammates.
That concept certainly applies to the USC receiver group for the class of 2013 with Eldridge Massington (Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite), Steven Mitchell (Mission Hills, Calif./Alemany) and Sebastian LaRue (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica).
Over the past month, that receiver trio has been a part of three separate camps -- the most recent being The Opening in Oregon -- so there has been a real opportunity to bond over shared experiences before becoming college teammates.
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It's difficult to rank coaching jobs, but that's what we've been asked to do this morning for the Pac-12.
Is a coaching job all about the money? Is it about the prestige of the program? Is it about potential? Is it about location? Stadium size?
It's probably about all of those things.
1. USC: It's the prestige program in the Pac-12. A top-five job nationally. And the only top-five job located in an A-list city.
2. Oregon: The Ducks have become a national power. Great facilities. Sugar daddy booster in Nike boss Phil Knight. Cool town, too.
3. Washington: The Huskies have money and are willing to spend it. Renovation of Husky Stadium also helps. Will winning come next? The Huskies fall behind the Ducks because they have not been to a BCS bowl since the 2000 season.
4. California: The Bears have substantially upgraded facilities and were willing to give Jeff Tedford a fat contract. And you can't beat the Bay Area.
5. Stanford: The Cardinal have moved up based on the past two seasons, and a big part of that happening was a willingness to recognize the importance of football. Academics are both a plus (smart players) and a minus (only smart players get in). And again, you can't beat the Bay Area (especially if you can afford it).
6. UCLA: A lack of recent success knocks the Bruins down a bit. Also, football remains second to basketball in Westwood. Still, the potential to win is here. And so is the Southern California market.
7. Arizona State: The Sun Devils are tired of being called a sleeping giant, and they have to compete with pro sports for fickle local fans' attention. Still, if ASU starts to win again, it could fill up the conference's fourth-biggest stadium.
8. Arizona: The basic knock is Arizona is a basketball school. Underrated stadium experience, though. Further, capable athletic director Greg Byrne is fully focused on doing everything he can to make the football program successful.
9. Utah: Moving up in the world because of a pair of BCS bowl wins this decade and a jump to the Pac-12. It's also notable the school has anted up to retain coach Kyle Whittingham and his assistant coaches. Second-smallest stadium in conference, though.
10. Colorado: Cool stadium in a great town and a history of success that suggests the Buffaloes can win and win big. Coach Jon Embree, however, is the lowest-paid coach in the conference. And state laws limiting multiyear contracts are an issue for any head coach trying to hire and maintain a staff.
11. Oregon State: The Beavers, at present, are struggling during Oregon's rise. Reser Stadium seats only 45,674, and coach Mike Riley is the second-lowest-paid coach in the conference.
12. Washington State: Mike Leach would obviously disagree with this ranking -- "Why Washington State? Well, that's a stupid question," he said during his first news conference as Cougars coach -- but Martin Stadium is the smallest in the conference (32,248 capacity), and Pullman is the most isolated town in the conference. Of course, Leach's $2.25 million salary and some Martin Stadium upgrades have the Cougs moving in the right direction.
Is a coaching job all about the money? Is it about the prestige of the program? Is it about potential? Is it about location? Stadium size?
It's probably about all of those things.
1. USC: It's the prestige program in the Pac-12. A top-five job nationally. And the only top-five job located in an A-list city.
2. Oregon: The Ducks have become a national power. Great facilities. Sugar daddy booster in Nike boss Phil Knight. Cool town, too.
3. Washington: The Huskies have money and are willing to spend it. Renovation of Husky Stadium also helps. Will winning come next? The Huskies fall behind the Ducks because they have not been to a BCS bowl since the 2000 season.
4. California: The Bears have substantially upgraded facilities and were willing to give Jeff Tedford a fat contract. And you can't beat the Bay Area.
5. Stanford: The Cardinal have moved up based on the past two seasons, and a big part of that happening was a willingness to recognize the importance of football. Academics are both a plus (smart players) and a minus (only smart players get in). And again, you can't beat the Bay Area (especially if you can afford it).
6. UCLA: A lack of recent success knocks the Bruins down a bit. Also, football remains second to basketball in Westwood. Still, the potential to win is here. And so is the Southern California market.
7. Arizona State: The Sun Devils are tired of being called a sleeping giant, and they have to compete with pro sports for fickle local fans' attention. Still, if ASU starts to win again, it could fill up the conference's fourth-biggest stadium.
8. Arizona: The basic knock is Arizona is a basketball school. Underrated stadium experience, though. Further, capable athletic director Greg Byrne is fully focused on doing everything he can to make the football program successful.
9. Utah: Moving up in the world because of a pair of BCS bowl wins this decade and a jump to the Pac-12. It's also notable the school has anted up to retain coach Kyle Whittingham and his assistant coaches. Second-smallest stadium in conference, though.
10. Colorado: Cool stadium in a great town and a history of success that suggests the Buffaloes can win and win big. Coach Jon Embree, however, is the lowest-paid coach in the conference. And state laws limiting multiyear contracts are an issue for any head coach trying to hire and maintain a staff.
11. Oregon State: The Beavers, at present, are struggling during Oregon's rise. Reser Stadium seats only 45,674, and coach Mike Riley is the second-lowest-paid coach in the conference.
12. Washington State: Mike Leach would obviously disagree with this ranking -- "Why Washington State? Well, that's a stupid question," he said during his first news conference as Cougars coach -- but Martin Stadium is the smallest in the conference (32,248 capacity), and Pullman is the most isolated town in the conference. Of course, Leach's $2.25 million salary and some Martin Stadium upgrades have the Cougs moving in the right direction.
Khaled Holmes on Rimington watch list
July, 10, 2012
7/10/12
9:26
AM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
USC senior center Khaled Holmes was named to the watch list for the 2012 Rimington Trophy, presented annually to the top center in the nation.
Holmes (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) is a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Trojans. He played his sophomore year at right guard before moving to center for the 2011 season as a junior. The 2012 season will also mark the sixth year that Holmes has started in the same lineup as quarterback Matt Barkley, as the two also played together at Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei.
Holmes is an Academic All-American candidate in 2012 as well. He received dual degrees in communications and classics at USC in 2011 and has begun work on a master's degree in social marketing, social media and digital technology.
Holmes (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) is a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Trojans. He played his sophomore year at right guard before moving to center for the 2011 season as a junior. The 2012 season will also mark the sixth year that Holmes has started in the same lineup as quarterback Matt Barkley, as the two also played together at Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei.
Holmes is an Academic All-American candidate in 2012 as well. He received dual degrees in communications and classics at USC in 2011 and has begun work on a master's degree in social marketing, social media and digital technology.
After returning home Monday from a memorable trip to The Opening, three-star receiver Paul Harris (Upper Marlboro, Md./Frederick Douglass) now shifts his focus to the final stage of his recruitment.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound athlete has narrowed his list to USC and Tennessee, and expects to make his college choice sometime this month, though a specific date has not been set. Harris said he will sit down with his parents in the coming days and weigh his options.
"I spoke to Coach [Lane] Kiffin when I got home today," Harris said. "We were catching up and recapping the weekend. It was a normal conversation."
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound athlete has narrowed his list to USC and Tennessee, and expects to make his college choice sometime this month, though a specific date has not been set. Harris said he will sit down with his parents in the coming days and weigh his options.
"I spoke to Coach [Lane] Kiffin when I got home today," Harris said. "We were catching up and recapping the weekend. It was a normal conversation."
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Future of USC running game on display
July, 9, 2012
7/09/12
3:56
PM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
The future of the USC running back position was on full display during the weekend at The Opening with both Justin Davis (Stockton, Calif./Lincoln) and Ty Isaac (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Academy) in attendance.
Both players made a nice impression with Isaac continuing to show that he can be an effective pass catcher and Davis performing well in the SPARQ testing events that measure a player’s athleticism. Isaac arrived late to the event so he did not get to take part in the SPARQ testing but Davis posted marks of 4.12 seconds in the shuttle, a 37.3 inch vertical and a 40.0 foot throw in the power ball.
“I had never done the power ball before so I was kind of surprised with how I did,” Davis said. “I ran a 4.68 in the 40 but that event isn’t really my thing; I’m not what you would call a speed back.”
Both players made a nice impression with Isaac continuing to show that he can be an effective pass catcher and Davis performing well in the SPARQ testing events that measure a player’s athleticism. Isaac arrived late to the event so he did not get to take part in the SPARQ testing but Davis posted marks of 4.12 seconds in the shuttle, a 37.3 inch vertical and a 40.0 foot throw in the power ball.
“I had never done the power ball before so I was kind of surprised with how I did,” Davis said. “I ran a 4.68 in the 40 but that event isn’t really my thing; I’m not what you would call a speed back.”
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The 2012 watch lists were announced today for the Maxwell Award and the Bednarik Award. The Maxwell Award has been presented each year since 1937 to the outstanding college player in the country while the Bednarik Award has gone to the top defensive player since 1995.
USC has the most players on the watch list for the Maxwell with four: quarterback Matt Barkley, wide receiver Robert Woods, wide receiver Marqise Lee and running back Curtis McNeal. Barkley and Woods were both semi-finalists for the award last season.
USC has the most players on the watch list for the Maxwell with four: quarterback Matt Barkley, wide receiver Robert Woods, wide receiver Marqise Lee and running back Curtis McNeal. Barkley and Woods were both semi-finalists for the award last season.
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Redfield showing skills on both sides of the ball
July, 9, 2012
7/09/12
9:30
AM PT
By
Blair Angulo | ESPN.com
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. -- Max Redfield (Mission Viejo Calif./Mission Viejo) had a rather modest start at the South County passing league tournament on Saturday. The simple drag route at first appeared harmless. The Mission Viejo athlete maneuvered his way toward the middle of the field, caught the pass and turned the corner.
Good morning, defensive backs.
The havoc that ensued showed why Redfield is the state’s second-ranked athlete, only behind USC commit and good friend Su’a Cravens of Vista Murrieta. One Redfield touchdown quickly turned into three, three turned into six and, by the end of the all-day event, the 6-foot-2 star had guided host Mission Viejo to a championship.
Good morning, defensive backs.
The havoc that ensued showed why Redfield is the state’s second-ranked athlete, only behind USC commit and good friend Su’a Cravens of Vista Murrieta. One Redfield touchdown quickly turned into three, three turned into six and, by the end of the all-day event, the 6-foot-2 star had guided host Mission Viejo to a championship.
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ABOUT WE ARE SC
Garry Paskwietz
Garry Paskwietz is the publisher and founder of WeAreSC.com and has covered the Trojans since 1997. Send him an email at garry@wearesc.com.
Blair Angulo
Blair Angulo covers USC Trojans recruiting. He joined ESPNLA.com in 2010 and also interned at the Los Angeles Daily News. Email him at blair.angulo@gmail.com.