USC Trojans: Amir Carlisle
The Trojans will likely see an impact on their roster for the 2012 season due to transfers.
USC gained a transfer in defensive back Joshua Shaw from Florida. A talented player who prepped locally at Palmdale (Calif.) High School, Shaw appeared in 10 games as a safety for the Gators in 2011, including one start, and ended the year with 22 tackles, notching a season-high six against Auburn.
Shaw will begin fall camp at strong safety next month but he could also end up seeing time at corner, as he was the No. 3 ranked corner in the ESPN rankings for the class of 2010. It’s a deep defensive back group for USC this year so it remains to be seen how much of an impact Shaw will have, but he’s certainly good enough to make his mark if presented with an opportunity.
Shaw will be a redshirt sophomore this season with three years of eligibility remaining.
The Trojans also lost several transfers, most notably tailback Amir Carlisle, who was on track to be the primary backup to Curtis McNeal this season but is now at Notre Dame.
Carlisle ran for 123 yards on 19 carries as a true freshman in 2011 and also added seven catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. His future was considered bright in Cardinal and Gold and his sudden transfer caught many in the program by surprise.
There wasn’t as much surprise when fellow tailback Dillon Baxter transferred after last season, first to San Diego State and then to Baker University in Kansas. Baxter had a series of off-field issues with the Trojans and his departure had been expected.
Still, the loss of two tailbacks depleted the group and only D.J. Morgan returns as a reserve with any experience. That position will be key to watch this year to see how the lost transfers impact the offense.
USC also lost a pair of wide receivers when Brice Butler transferred to San Diego State and Kyle Prater left for Northwestern. While both came to USC out of high school with outstanding credentials, the production never matched up and both decided to leave rather than battle for playing time in a strong Trojans receiver group.
USC gained a transfer in defensive back Joshua Shaw from Florida. A talented player who prepped locally at Palmdale (Calif.) High School, Shaw appeared in 10 games as a safety for the Gators in 2011, including one start, and ended the year with 22 tackles, notching a season-high six against Auburn.
Shaw will begin fall camp at strong safety next month but he could also end up seeing time at corner, as he was the No. 3 ranked corner in the ESPN rankings for the class of 2010. It’s a deep defensive back group for USC this year so it remains to be seen how much of an impact Shaw will have, but he’s certainly good enough to make his mark if presented with an opportunity.
Shaw will be a redshirt sophomore this season with three years of eligibility remaining.
The Trojans also lost several transfers, most notably tailback Amir Carlisle, who was on track to be the primary backup to Curtis McNeal this season but is now at Notre Dame.
Carlisle ran for 123 yards on 19 carries as a true freshman in 2011 and also added seven catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. His future was considered bright in Cardinal and Gold and his sudden transfer caught many in the program by surprise.
There wasn’t as much surprise when fellow tailback Dillon Baxter transferred after last season, first to San Diego State and then to Baker University in Kansas. Baxter had a series of off-field issues with the Trojans and his departure had been expected.
Still, the loss of two tailbacks depleted the group and only D.J. Morgan returns as a reserve with any experience. That position will be key to watch this year to see how the lost transfers impact the offense.
USC also lost a pair of wide receivers when Brice Butler transferred to San Diego State and Kyle Prater left for Northwestern. While both came to USC out of high school with outstanding credentials, the production never matched up and both decided to leave rather than battle for playing time in a strong Trojans receiver group.
There has been no ruling from the NCAA on the hardship waiver request filed by Trojans defensive back Josh Shaw.
Shaw transferred to USC from Florida two months ago and enrolled for the spring semester. He applied for a family hardship waiver to move closer to home due to his grandfather’s illness. If Shaw is granted the waiver he would be eligible to play for the Trojans in 2012 without having to sit out a year as a transfer.
The NCAA announced Thursday that former USC running back Amir Carlisle was granted the ability to play immediately for Notre Dame, so that should be a sign that a ruling on Shaw could be coming soon. Carlisle announced he would be transferring to Notre Dame on Jan. 7, while Shaw announced he was headed for USC on Jan. 10.
Shaw transferred to USC from Florida two months ago and enrolled for the spring semester. He applied for a family hardship waiver to move closer to home due to his grandfather’s illness. If Shaw is granted the waiver he would be eligible to play for the Trojans in 2012 without having to sit out a year as a transfer.
The NCAA announced Thursday that former USC running back Amir Carlisle was granted the ability to play immediately for Notre Dame, so that should be a sign that a ruling on Shaw could be coming soon. Carlisle announced he would be transferring to Notre Dame on Jan. 7, while Shaw announced he was headed for USC on Jan. 10.
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It’s not too often that there are as many roster changes in one week in college football team as the USC Trojans saw last week.
There were five transfer departures confirmed in RB Amir Carlisle, WR Brice Butler, WR Kyle Prater, DB T.J. Bryant and DB Patrick Hall. There was also an incoming transfer announced with former Florida safety Josh Shaw, who enrolled at USC in time for the spring semester.
Carlisle was the biggest surprise of the group. There weren’t any previously known issues with Carlisle, and his future was thought to be bright within the USC offense. He was a shifty runner with good speed, excellent hands and a surprising amount of toughness in his running style.
There were five transfer departures confirmed in RB Amir Carlisle, WR Brice Butler, WR Kyle Prater, DB T.J. Bryant and DB Patrick Hall. There was also an incoming transfer announced with former Florida safety Josh Shaw, who enrolled at USC in time for the spring semester.
Carlisle was the biggest surprise of the group. There weren’t any previously known issues with Carlisle, and his future was thought to be bright within the USC offense. He was a shifty runner with good speed, excellent hands and a surprising amount of toughness in his running style.
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John Albright/Icon SMIZach Banner's size and long-term potential have made him as the top recruit on the board for two of the three panelists.Garry Paskwietz
1. Zach Banner – There is just something about Banner that seems to fit with the Trojans. He’s a real athletic guy in a real big body, and he would make a huge bookend at tackle if he were to be paired with Aundrey Walker some day.
USC wide receiver Kyle Prater announced today via his twitter account (@DaReal_21) that he would be transferring.
“I will be transferring. I love my teammates, SC, my fans, athletic staff. Will always respect the coaches. God Bless.”
And so the offseason exodus continues. The fact that players are leaving isn't surprising -- there was going to be some roster attrition this offseason if the coaches hoped to meet the 75-man scholarship limit next fall. What was unclear, however, was how the spots were going to open up.
“I will be transferring. I love my teammates, SC, my fans, athletic staff. Will always respect the coaches. God Bless.”
And so the offseason exodus continues. The fact that players are leaving isn't surprising -- there was going to be some roster attrition this offseason if the coaches hoped to meet the 75-man scholarship limit next fall. What was unclear, however, was how the spots were going to open up.
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Thoughts on Amir Carlisle transfer to ND 
January, 7, 2012
1/07/12
4:32
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By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
USC running back Amir Carlisle has announced that he will transfer from USC to Notre Dame.
This is unusual news.
Players don’t usually leave a school after a successful freshman year, especially when they are as well positioned as Carlisle was within the USC backfield. Carlisle clearly has the explosive playmaking ability that Lane Kiffin likes plus he also brings an element of toughness so his future was bright in terms of playing time.
This is unusual news.
Players don’t usually leave a school after a successful freshman year, especially when they are as well positioned as Carlisle was within the USC backfield. Carlisle clearly has the explosive playmaking ability that Lane Kiffin likes plus he also brings an element of toughness so his future was bright in terms of playing time.
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Storylines from Monday practice
November, 7, 2011
11/07/11
12:07
PM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
It was an “extra” practice today as the Trojans held a Monday morning session in full pads to prepare for Saturday's game at Washington.
On the injury front, the following players were out or limited: OUT -- DaJohn Harris (ankle), LIMITED – Jawanza Starling, Hayes Pullard, Dion Bailey, Marc Tyler, Marqise Lee, Robert Woods. George Farmer got in some light running in full pads.
In a 9-on-7 drill, Lamar Dawson had a nice fill on an Amir Carlisle run. D.J. Morgan fumbled and it was recovered by Shane Horton.
On the injury front, the following players were out or limited: OUT -- DaJohn Harris (ankle), LIMITED – Jawanza Starling, Hayes Pullard, Dion Bailey, Marc Tyler, Marqise Lee, Robert Woods. George Farmer got in some light running in full pads.
In a 9-on-7 drill, Lamar Dawson had a nice fill on an Amir Carlisle run. D.J. Morgan fumbled and it was recovered by Shane Horton.
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Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin held a conference call with media members on Saturday following USC's victory Friday night over Colorado. Here’s a recap of some of the comments from the coach:
“I was very proud of the players for the way they came out and played a pretty clean game. We had a couple critical penalties on special teams and Marqise Lee ran a wrong route on the interception by Barkley. Other than that we played pretty well.”
“I liked how many significant plays were made by first- and second-year players. The top three stat guys on offense were Lee, [Robert] Woods and [Amir] Carlisle. All of them are first- or second-year guys. We gotta keep on putting together good classes like that and we’ll have a good future here.”
“I was very proud of the players for the way they came out and played a pretty clean game. We had a couple critical penalties on special teams and Marqise Lee ran a wrong route on the interception by Barkley. Other than that we played pretty well.”
“I liked how many significant plays were made by first- and second-year players. The top three stat guys on offense were Lee, [Robert] Woods and [Amir] Carlisle. All of them are first- or second-year guys. We gotta keep on putting together good classes like that and we’ll have a good future here.”
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Trojans notebook: USC 42, Colorado 17
November, 5, 2011
11/05/11
1:19
PM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
Matt Barkley’s big night
This is what USC fans were hoping to see from Barkley this year. Coming into the season, the question was “is Matt ready to take the next step as a quarterback?” Through this point in the season, the answer is yes.
The guy who took the field for the Trojans last night is the kind of confident gunslinger folks at USC have been used to seeing over the last decade. The kind of guy who can pick apart the defense at will, who shows no fear of any environment.
This is what USC fans were hoping to see from Barkley this year. Coming into the season, the question was “is Matt ready to take the next step as a quarterback?” Through this point in the season, the answer is yes.
The guy who took the field for the Trojans last night is the kind of confident gunslinger folks at USC have been used to seeing over the last decade. The kind of guy who can pick apart the defense at will, who shows no fear of any environment.
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Instant Analysis: USC 42, Colorado 17
November, 4, 2011
11/04/11
9:56
PM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
Player of the Game
Matt Barkley. Add another school record to the list for the junior quarterback. Tonight it was the most touchdown passes in a single game, as Barkley threw six. Barkley was previously tied with several others with five in one game, and Lane Kiffin has dropped enough hints about the record to know that it was bound to happen sooner or later. Barkley only completed passes in the game to two wide receivers (Robert Woods and Marqise Lee) and the rest went to tight ends and backs. For the record, the touchdown catches went as follows – Woods and Lee with two each, Xavier Grimble and Amir Carlisle each adding one.
Play of the Game
Matt Barkley. Add another school record to the list for the junior quarterback. Tonight it was the most touchdown passes in a single game, as Barkley threw six. Barkley was previously tied with several others with five in one game, and Lane Kiffin has dropped enough hints about the record to know that it was bound to happen sooner or later. Barkley only completed passes in the game to two wide receivers (Robert Woods and Marqise Lee) and the rest went to tight ends and backs. For the record, the touchdown catches went as follows – Woods and Lee with two each, Xavier Grimble and Amir Carlisle each adding one.
Play of the Game
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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.
Johnny Curren
Johnny Curren covers USC Trojans football and recruiting. He joined WeAreSC in 2012 after spending the previous two years at ESPNHS, and the nine years before that at Fox Sports West covering high school sports in the Los Angeles market. Email him at johnnycurren@hotmail.com.