It was a whirlwind recruitment for D.J. Foster (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro), but moments ago at a school press conference the athlete said he’ll play his college ball at Arizona State.
“It was a tough decision, I actually didn’t decide until this morning,” Foster said. “I wanted to stay close to home to be with my friends and family, that was very important to me. My dad sent me a picture this morning of him wearing a Sun Devil shirt with my sister in it and I decided right there that I wanted to be a Sun Devil.
“I really like the new staff and Coach [Todd] Graham told me to pray on this decision and that’s what I did. Cal was right there too and I had a great relationship with the Coach [Ron] Gould. I told them this morning that I would be choosing ASU, but I still haven’t told ASU yet.”
“It was a tough decision, I actually didn’t decide until this morning,” Foster said. “I wanted to stay close to home to be with my friends and family, that was very important to me. My dad sent me a picture this morning of him wearing a Sun Devil shirt with my sister in it and I decided right there that I wanted to be a Sun Devil.
“I really like the new staff and Coach [Todd] Graham told me to pray on this decision and that’s what I did. Cal was right there too and I had a great relationship with the Coach [Ron] Gould. I told them this morning that I would be choosing ASU, but I still haven’t told ASU yet.”
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After losing Marc Tyler to graduation, Amir Carlisle to transfer and George Farmer to a position switch, the USC tailback depth suffered another blow Friday, when D.J. Foster (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) announced he will sign a letter of intent with Arizona State.
Foster had been a strong Arizona State lean through much of the recruiting process, but a coaching change in the desert caused the 5-foot-11, 185-pound tailback to rethink his options. Solid visits to Cal and USC had many thinking he could be headed out of state. Rumors even spread during his visit to USC that he had committed to the Trojans.
In the end, the opportunity to stay home and play in front of friends and family proved too much for Foster to pass up. He becomes Arizona State’s top-ranked recruit and one of the first big-name players the Sun Devils have convinced to remain in state in recent years.
His commitment also leaves the Trojans without a pure tailback in this class, and could lead to fullback commit Jahleel Pinner (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) getting a look there this fall.
Foster had been a strong Arizona State lean through much of the recruiting process, but a coaching change in the desert caused the 5-foot-11, 185-pound tailback to rethink his options. Solid visits to Cal and USC had many thinking he could be headed out of state. Rumors even spread during his visit to USC that he had committed to the Trojans.
In the end, the opportunity to stay home and play in front of friends and family proved too much for Foster to pass up. He becomes Arizona State’s top-ranked recruit and one of the first big-name players the Sun Devils have convinced to remain in state in recent years.
His commitment also leaves the Trojans without a pure tailback in this class, and could lead to fullback commit Jahleel Pinner (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) getting a look there this fall.
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Murphy recaps USC visit, torn between two 
January, 27, 2012
1/27/12
10:08
AM PT
By Greg Biggins | ESPN.com
For most of the year, offensive lineman Kyle Murphy (San Clemente, Calif.) seemed like a pretty strong lean to Stanford. After his official visit to USC over the weekend, are the Trojans now a serious player?
Prior to his visit to USC last weekend, the feeling from talking to some close to Murphy and some of the Triton coaching staff was the Cardinal had a pretty solid 60-40 lead. After the visit, the talented tackle said the two are now dead even.
“I had a great trip, to be honest, it was a lot better than I expected,” Murphy said. “I got a good feel for what it would be like to attend USC and I fit in a lot better than I anticipated. I loved the atmosphere there and I really connected well with the players and coaches.
Prior to his visit to USC last weekend, the feeling from talking to some close to Murphy and some of the Triton coaching staff was the Cardinal had a pretty solid 60-40 lead. After the visit, the talented tackle said the two are now dead even.
“I had a great trip, to be honest, it was a lot better than I expected,” Murphy said. “I got a good feel for what it would be like to attend USC and I fit in a lot better than I anticipated. I loved the atmosphere there and I really connected well with the players and coaches.
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In this edition of RecruitingNation 411, ESPN’s recruiting experts pick out the teams they think need to make a big impression during the final weekend before signing day.
After decommitting from USC several months ago, the Trojans coaches made one thing very clear to defensive end Arik Armstead (Elk Grove, Calif./Pleasant Grove) -- that they were going to recruit him all the way to signing day. Lane Kiffin and staff have made good on that promise, and sat down with Armstead for an in-home visit on Tuesday.
It might surprise some, as USC was thought to be out of the running with Armstead seemingly focused on Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon and Auburn. But Armstead's father, Guss Armstead, said Arik was agreeable to meeting with the Trojans staff.
"We talked with them and they wanted to do an in home visit," Guss Armstead said of the USC coaches. "Arik said they could come and talk to him."
It might surprise some, as USC was thought to be out of the running with Armstead seemingly focused on Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon and Auburn. But Armstead's father, Guss Armstead, said Arik was agreeable to meeting with the Trojans staff.
"We talked with them and they wanted to do an in home visit," Guss Armstead said of the USC coaches. "Arik said they could come and talk to him."
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Garry Paskwietz and Kyle Williams take you through what USC has to do differently in recruiting to help defend against the spread offense.
The WeAreSC staff makes their projections of school choices for some of the top remaining recruits on the USC wish list:
Garry Paskwietz
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Thursday's episode of RecruitingNation
January, 26, 2012
1/26/12
9:17
AM PT
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
"RecruitingNation" airs at 5:30 p.m. ET today on ESPNU with host Dari Nowkhah and RecruitingNation's Tom Luginbill, Craig Haubert and Jamie Newberg.
RecruitingNation breaks down the top 10 players still undecided, including Dorial Green-Beckham, Davonte Neal, Andrus Peat and Eddie Goldman. The panel discusses why these players are important, where are they are likely to end up, and what it means for the teams that don’t get them.
The show will also feature results from ESPN The Magazine’s "Recruiting Confidential" poll of the top prospects in the nation. Who do the top players think is the nation’s best recruiter? Most over-rated recruiter? And, do they feel like they were being stalked through the recruiting process?
The show wraps up with a look at the top storylines for fans to follow as we count down to Feb. 1, national signing day.
RecruitingNation breaks down the top 10 players still undecided, including Dorial Green-Beckham, Davonte Neal, Andrus Peat and Eddie Goldman. The panel discusses why these players are important, where are they are likely to end up, and what it means for the teams that don’t get them.
The show will also feature results from ESPN The Magazine’s "Recruiting Confidential" poll of the top prospects in the nation. Who do the top players think is the nation’s best recruiter? Most over-rated recruiter? And, do they feel like they were being stalked through the recruiting process?
The show wraps up with a look at the top storylines for fans to follow as we count down to Feb. 1, national signing day.
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Courtesy of Ryan KalilRyan Kalil and Clay Matthews have become Pro Bowl regulars in their short careers.
Courtesy of Ryan KalilRyan Kalil and Clay Matthews have become Pro Bowl regulars in their short careers.Former Trojans Ryan Kalil and Clay Matthews arrived in Honolulu on Wednesday to play in the 2012 Pro Bowl. Both are making their third trips to the all-star game.
“First and foremost I just want to say that it’s an honor for me to be here. A lot of things had to go my way and I also probably wouldn’t be here without the help of my teammates,” Mathews said. “Obviously my No. 1 goal is to make it to the Super Bowl and although we didn’t make it this year, I guess this is a nice consolation prize.”
Not making the trip to Hawaii was seven-time Pro Bowler Troy Polamalu. Polamalu opted to sit out of the game because of injury. Taking his place is Denver Broncos strong safety Brian Dawkins.
The Pro Bowl is at 2 p.m. Sunday on NBC.
Former Trojans in the NFL, NFC edition
January, 25, 2012
1/25/12
9:52
AM PT
By
Kyle Williams | ESPN.com
Al Bello/Getty ImagesFormer USC standout Clay Matthews was off and running to a third Pro Bowl appearance this season, compiling 50 tackles, six sacks and this interception for a touchdown.2011 saw plenty of former Trojans make their mark in the NFL. Here is a look at USC football alumni in the NFC.
NFC
East
Dallas Cowboys
David Buehler (K) -- Was placed on injured reserve in the early November due to a groin injury that had been bothering him since the second game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers.
Tyron Smith (OT) -- The rookie first-round pick overcame an early knee injury to serve as the Cowboys’ starting right tackle.
New York Giants
Terrell Thomas (CB) -- Thomas has been on injured reserve since the preseason, when he tore his ACL against the Chicago Bears. Heading into the season, Thomas had emerged as one of the Giants’ best defensive players.
Philadelphia Eagles
Stanley Havili (FB) -- The rookie spent the season on the practice squad.
Ronald Johnson (WR) -- The rookie spent the season on the practice squad.
Winston Justice (OT) -- Justice had knee surgery last February that limited him for most of the season. He played in six games and started one.
Mike Patterson (DT) -- During training camp in August, Patterson suffered a seizure and was taken to the hospital. He was later diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation on his brain. After seeing four different specialists, he was cleared to play just 17 days after his seizure. He started every game this season, totaling 66 tackles, 24 hurries and 2.5 sacks. At the end of the season, he was awarded to the team’s Ed Block award.
Steve Smith (WR) -- Smith played in nine games, starting in one. He was placed on IR on Dec. 12, ending the season with 11 catches for 124 yards.
Washington Redskins
Fred Davis (TE) -- Davis is coming off his best season since coming into the league and slowly becoming one of the top tight ends in the NFL. He started 12 games, hauling in 59 receptions for 796 yards and three touchdowns.
Former Trojans in the NFL, AFC edition
January, 25, 2012
1/25/12
9:00
AM PT
By
Kyle Williams | ESPN.com
Chris Morrison/US Presswire2011 was another banner season for Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, as the former Trojan was selected to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl.2011 saw plenty of former Trojans make their mark in the NFL. Here is a look at USC football alumni, starting with the AFC.
AFC
East
Buffalo Bills
Kyle Moore (DE) -- Claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay, Moore saw action in four games, totaling four tackles.
Miami Dolphins
Reggie Bush (RB) -- Bush had his best season since entering the NFL. He started every game, finishing the season with 1,086 yards on 216 carries and six touchdowns while catching 43 passes for 296 yards and another score.
New York Jets
Joe McKnight (RB) -- McKnight played in all 16 games and finished the season with 43 carries for 134 yards. McKnight's presence was felt more on special teams, where he consistently made plays.
Mark Sanchez (QB) -- Sanchez and the Jets didn’t finish their season on a high note like the previous two, losing their last three games. Sanchez finished the season with a career high 3,474 passing yards, throwing for 26 touchdowns while rushing for six more.
Cyler Miles still solid with the Dawgs?
January, 25, 2012
1/25/12
6:58
AM PT
By Greg Biggins | ESPN.com
Quarterback Cyler Miles (Denver, Colo./Mullen) took a surprise official visit over the weekend to USC. Is the longtime Washington commit still solid with the Dawgs?
“It all came together pretty quickly,” Miles said. “USC has been recruiting me for a while now, but I always politely said I wasn’t interested because I was rock solid with Washington. When Coach Nuss [Doug Nussmeier] left for the Alabama job, I started to have second thoughts.
“Coach Nuss was my guy. He has been recruiting me for over a year and was a big reason why I chose Washington. I had a great relationship and was very comfortable with him. He’s a great coach but a great guy too and someone I really trusted. I knew I wasn’t going to Alabama with him, so I called up USC a few weeks ago and set up the visit and had a really good time.”
“It all came together pretty quickly,” Miles said. “USC has been recruiting me for a while now, but I always politely said I wasn’t interested because I was rock solid with Washington. When Coach Nuss [Doug Nussmeier] left for the Alabama job, I started to have second thoughts.
“Coach Nuss was my guy. He has been recruiting me for over a year and was a big reason why I chose Washington. I had a great relationship and was very comfortable with him. He’s a great coach but a great guy too and someone I really trusted. I knew I wasn’t going to Alabama with him, so I called up USC a few weeks ago and set up the visit and had a really good time.”
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Even after adding a solid group of defensive linemen last year, the position remains one of need in the 2012 class, and the Trojans are looking to hold onto a commitment from a good one in Pio Vatuvei (Patterson, Calif./Patterson).
Vatuvei has the ability to play end or tackle at the next level, although his combination of strength and speed could help him make an earlier impact on the outside. He has long been a USC fan and immediately jumped on an offer from the Trojans in August. Since then, he has been recruited by several other Pac-12 schools, including Utah, Washington and California. While he remains committed to USC, he also wants to make sure that he is making the right decision and feels comfortable with whichever school receives his signed letter of intent.
This past weekend, the USC staff had a chance to make an impression when Vatuvei and his family were on campus for an official visit.
Vatuvei has the ability to play end or tackle at the next level, although his combination of strength and speed could help him make an earlier impact on the outside. He has long been a USC fan and immediately jumped on an offer from the Trojans in August. Since then, he has been recruited by several other Pac-12 schools, including Utah, Washington and California. While he remains committed to USC, he also wants to make sure that he is making the right decision and feels comfortable with whichever school receives his signed letter of intent.
This past weekend, the USC staff had a chance to make an impression when Vatuvei and his family were on campus for an official visit.
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Darreus Rogers not sure what he will do
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
10:55
AM PT
By Greg Biggins | ESPN.com
Wide receiver Darreus Rogers (Carson, Calif.) has been a solid commitment to USC since the spring, but a recent official visit to Arizona State has him giving the Sun Devils a serious look.
Rogers took an official visit to USC two weeks ago and was in Tempe this past weekend.
“It was a really good trip,” Rogers said. “I learned a lot about ASU, a lot of things I didn’t know about the program football wise and academically. The academic support you get at ASU is very strong and you have to either be really lazy or want to fail if you don’t pass your classes there. They have a nice system of accountability and offer 24/7 support for the athletes when you need it.
Rogers took an official visit to USC two weeks ago and was in Tempe this past weekend.
“It was a really good trip,” Rogers said. “I learned a lot about ASU, a lot of things I didn’t know about the program football wise and academically. The academic support you get at ASU is very strong and you have to either be really lazy or want to fail if you don’t pass your classes there. They have a nice system of accountability and offer 24/7 support for the athletes when you need it.
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One of the big names on campus this past weekend was defensive tackle Aziz Shittu (Atwater, Calif./Buhach Colony). That position has become a big need for the Trojans in this class and Shittu would go a long way toward boosting the spot. Shittu was one of nine official visitors at USC, and received a very positive impression from the Trojans.
"He said he had a great time and it was awesome to see the tradition and history of the place," Buhach Colony head coach Kevin Swartwood said. "He thought it was a great trip."
Shittu has been notoriously intriguing when it comes to the recruiting process, using Facebook and Twitter to make comments about various schools to heighten suspense. Like the rest of us, Swartwood says he is often left in the dark as well.
"He said he had a great time and it was awesome to see the tradition and history of the place," Buhach Colony head coach Kevin Swartwood said. "He thought it was a great trip."
Shittu has been notoriously intriguing when it comes to the recruiting process, using Facebook and Twitter to make comments about various schools to heighten suspense. Like the rest of us, Swartwood says he is often left in the dark as well.
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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.