The USC Trojans extended a scholarship offer to defensive lineman Elijah Qualls (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) on Tuesday after defensive coordinator Ed Orgeron watched Qualls during an evaluation visit.
Qualls had been in contact with quarterbacks coach Clay Helton throughout the process and understood the need for USC to be deliberate in their evaluations due to limited scholarships. Qualls said he was told that the slower movement might mean an offer could be on the way sometime during the summer, but that changed quickly once Orgeron set his sights on the 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive lineman.
"Coach O loved what he saw and he wanted to speed up the process," Qualls said. "I guess he wanted to offer me about 30 minutes after my spring ball started, but he wasn't allowed to talk to me there."
Qualls had been in contact with quarterbacks coach Clay Helton throughout the process and understood the need for USC to be deliberate in their evaluations due to limited scholarships. Qualls said he was told that the slower movement might mean an offer could be on the way sometime during the summer, but that changed quickly once Orgeron set his sights on the 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive lineman.
"Coach O loved what he saw and he wanted to speed up the process," Qualls said. "I guess he wanted to offer me about 30 minutes after my spring ball started, but he wasn't allowed to talk to me there."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
It became obvious that offensive tackle was going to be a position the Oklahoma coaching staff attacked hard during the spring evaluation period. The Sooners made seven early offers and ]five of those tackles committed to other schools. OU has not been bashful in the last five weeks as tackles coach Bruce Kittle has offered several quality prospects.
But none bigger than Aaron Cochran (Atwater, Calif./Buhach). The 6-foot-7, 345 pound Cochran is a four-star prospect ranked No. 12 at the position.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Cornerback Cole Luke (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) has confirmed to ESPN’s SoonerNation he received an offer from Texas on Tuesday.
The four-star prospect holds more than a dozen offers and is one of the state of Arizona’s top prospects for the 2013 class.
Luke, a 6-foot, 165-pound recruit, attended Texas’ Orange-White spring game on April 1 and hoped to receive an offer during his visit to Austin.
The four-star prospect holds more than a dozen offers and is one of the state of Arizona’s top prospects for the 2013 class.
Luke, a 6-foot, 165-pound recruit, attended Texas’ Orange-White spring game on April 1 and hoped to receive an offer during his visit to Austin.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Quarterback Hayden Rettig (Los Angeles/Cathedral) was getting tired of hearing questions about his health.
Rettig, who tore his right ACL and meniscus during his team's second game of last season, wanted to prove to everybody that he was 100 percent healthy. And at a quarterback academy event in California last month, he did just that, showing his mobility, arm strength and confidence. In other words, he showed he was back.
And the race to be Oklahoma’s 2013 quarterback has now added one more participant.
Rettig, who tore his right ACL and meniscus during his team's second game of last season, wanted to prove to everybody that he was 100 percent healthy. And at a quarterback academy event in California last month, he did just that, showing his mobility, arm strength and confidence. In other words, he showed he was back.
And the race to be Oklahoma’s 2013 quarterback has now added one more participant.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The Trojans have been busy in Northern California this weekend. One day after an offer was extended to defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer), USC head coach Lane Kiffin went back into the area to offer wide receiver Darrell Daniels (Oakley, Calif./Freedom). It is the first scholarship offer to a California receiver and only the third in-state offer to an offensive player.
Daniels is the top-ranked wide receiver in the state and No. 52 overall player in the country, with offers from schools such as Auburn, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Oklahoma.
As a junior, Daniels averaged 17 yards per reception on his way to 13 total touchdowns.
Daniels is the top-ranked wide receiver in the state and No. 52 overall player in the country, with offers from schools such as Auburn, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Oklahoma.
As a junior, Daniels averaged 17 yards per reception on his way to 13 total touchdowns.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
USC offers California's top defensive lineman 
May, 4, 2012
May 4
11:08
PM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer) received a scholarship offer from the USC Trojans on Friday. Vanderdoes is the No. 56 player in the ESPN 150, as well as the top defensive lineman -- and No. 4 player overall -- in California.
Vanderdoes had already collected more than 30 offers from schools such as Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State and Washington, which had some USC fans questioning whether Vanderdoes would receive an offer from Lane Kiffin and staff.
Two weeks ago, USC quarterbacks coach Clay Helton was on hand to witness Vanderdoes go through a workout and pitch a six-inning gem on the baseball diamond. Vanderdoes said then that Helton was pushing for Vanderdoes to receive an offer. Friday, Vanderdoes received the news.
Vanderdoes had already collected more than 30 offers from schools such as Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State and Washington, which had some USC fans questioning whether Vanderdoes would receive an offer from Lane Kiffin and staff.
Two weeks ago, USC quarterbacks coach Clay Helton was on hand to witness Vanderdoes go through a workout and pitch a six-inning gem on the baseball diamond. Vanderdoes said then that Helton was pushing for Vanderdoes to receive an offer. Friday, Vanderdoes received the news.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Eldridge Massington (Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite) wanted to wait. The thought of a being a Trojan, however, was too strong.
The four-star wide receiver picked up an offer from USC on Wednesday, and late Friday morning the 6-foot-3, 205-pound athlete gave his verbal commitment to the Trojans. Massington is USC’s fifth commitment of the 2013 recruiting class and the first receiver on board.
Recruited by USC coaches Tee Martin and Marvin Sanders, Massington chose the Trojans over offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and Clemson. He had 25 offers – the last being the Trojans.
The four-star wide receiver picked up an offer from USC on Wednesday, and late Friday morning the 6-foot-3, 205-pound athlete gave his verbal commitment to the Trojans. Massington is USC’s fifth commitment of the 2013 recruiting class and the first receiver on board.
Recruited by USC coaches Tee Martin and Marvin Sanders, Massington chose the Trojans over offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and Clemson. He had 25 offers – the last being the Trojans.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Mattingly enjoys first visit with OU coach
May, 2, 2012
May 2
11:00
AM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma doesn't often go to the Pacific Northwest to recruit its football players, so it's a rare occurrence that the Sooners have targeted a Spokane (Wash.) Mead tight end for the class of 2013.
OU offered Danny Mattingly, who is 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, a couple of weeks ago. And though he is now being looked at on the offensive side of the ball by the Sooners, his contact with the OU coaches didn't start that way.
“My first contact with OU was actually with a defensive coach,” Mattingly said. “I don’t remember who it was exactly, but they saw me on defense at first before things changed.”
OU offered Danny Mattingly, who is 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, a couple of weeks ago. And though he is now being looked at on the offensive side of the ball by the Sooners, his contact with the OU coaches didn't start that way.
“My first contact with OU was actually with a defensive coach,” Mattingly said. “I don’t remember who it was exactly, but they saw me on defense at first before things changed.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Plenty of programs talking about Willis
April, 26, 2012
Apr 26
2:04
PM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza), the No. 62 player in the ESPN 150, entered the spring with 29 offers and has become one of the most highly recruited players on the West Coast. He has already received phone calls from USC -- which called the first day contact was allowable -- as well as Arizona State and Notre Dame. This week, Marcos De Niza High School has received visits from Florida State, LSU and Arkansas, with USC coach Ed Orgeron scheduled to make a stop on Thursday. Willis said that since the spring evaluation period began, Georgia, Rutgers and Alabama have also begun showing interest.
Willis said the Trojans making the first call on April 15 stood out, but he is grateful for the interest from every school. And increased attention from the two programs that played in the most recent national championship game is difficult to ignore.
Willis said the Alabama coaches have been talking to him about how he would fit into their defense, but it's obvious that LSU has made a statement for Willis.
"They have a great defense," said Willis of LSU, a school he plans to camp with this summer. "And it would be great to just play football in that atmosphere."
Willis said the Trojans making the first call on April 15 stood out, but he is grateful for the interest from every school. And increased attention from the two programs that played in the most recent national championship game is difficult to ignore.
Willis said the Alabama coaches have been talking to him about how he would fit into their defense, but it's obvious that LSU has made a statement for Willis.
"They have a great defense," said Willis of LSU, a school he plans to camp with this summer. "And it would be great to just play football in that atmosphere."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Chans Cox (Pinetop, Ariz./Blue Ridge) is one of the more versatile athletes on the West Coast in the class of 2013. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound two-way standout is at home at linebacker or running back. He excels enough on both sides of the ball that college coaches are split on where they see him fitting best.
Cox said while most schools among his 15 scholarship offers see him fitting better on defense, USC and Nebraska are two schools that see him as an offensive player. But he said playing on one side or the other won't affect his decision.
"I love both sides of the ball," Cox said. "If I went to a school to play offense, those coaches would coach me up and make me a good player there, and the same would be true of defense."
Cox said while most schools among his 15 scholarship offers see him fitting better on defense, USC and Nebraska are two schools that see him as an offensive player. But he said playing on one side or the other won't affect his decision.
"I love both sides of the ball," Cox said. "If I went to a school to play offense, those coaches would coach me up and make me a good player there, and the same would be true of defense."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
A CIF and state title in 2011 was enough to prove that the Rancho Santa Margarita Eagles boasted the top offensive line in California last year. But if there were any lingering doubts, this spring is providing further evidence for that claim. Senior Max Tuerk is readying himself to enroll at USC, but class of 2013 linemen Riley Sorenson, Erik Bunte and Dane Crane have been busy with recruiting.
While Bunte committed to UCLA after receiving his first offer, Sorenson and Crane have taken the process slowly. Sorenson has collected offers from Colorado, SMU, Washington and Washington State, while Crane has made the most noise this spring, and now holds offers from Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida State, San Diego State and Washington. The latest offer was extended Wednesday by the Golden Bears.
Crane has several connections to USC, as his father, Bob Crane, played tight end for the Trojans. Crane is also good friends with Tuerk.
USC offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu stopped by Santa Margarita in the middle of last week to check in on Crane, and the 6-foot-3, 290-pound center. Crane said the USC coaches would like him to attend their lineman camp in June, which is a real possibility for him.
While Bunte committed to UCLA after receiving his first offer, Sorenson and Crane have taken the process slowly. Sorenson has collected offers from Colorado, SMU, Washington and Washington State, while Crane has made the most noise this spring, and now holds offers from Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida State, San Diego State and Washington. The latest offer was extended Wednesday by the Golden Bears.
Crane has several connections to USC, as his father, Bob Crane, played tight end for the Trojans. Crane is also good friends with Tuerk.
USC offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu stopped by Santa Margarita in the middle of last week to check in on Crane, and the 6-foot-3, 290-pound center. Crane said the USC coaches would like him to attend their lineman camp in June, which is a real possibility for him.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The standard for wide receiver recruiting at USC is pretty high these days and that is evidenced by the presence of four in-state wide receivers ranked in the ESPN 150, none of whom has a Trojans offer.
The Trojans are being selective at this spot not only because of the depth at receiver on the roster right now, but also due to the reduced scholarship numbers. It’s not like USC hasn’t offered any receivers in this class (five out-of-state WRs in the ESPN 150 have reported offers from the Trojans) but it hasn’t stepped forward yet with the local players.
That situation could easily change after the Rising Stars Camp in June, an event that the USC coaches encourage for recruits looking for a Trojans offer due to the opportunity to evaluate them in person. However, these local receivers are not sitting around without other schools showing interest in them, in fact the list of out-of-state schools with offers is impressive.
The Trojans are being selective at this spot not only because of the depth at receiver on the roster right now, but also due to the reduced scholarship numbers. It’s not like USC hasn’t offered any receivers in this class (five out-of-state WRs in the ESPN 150 have reported offers from the Trojans) but it hasn’t stepped forward yet with the local players.
That situation could easily change after the Rising Stars Camp in June, an event that the USC coaches encourage for recruits looking for a Trojans offer due to the opportunity to evaluate them in person. However, these local receivers are not sitting around without other schools showing interest in them, in fact the list of out-of-state schools with offers is impressive.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Two-way standout Chans Cox (Lakeside, Ariz./Blue Ridge) added another scholarship offer to his list on Thursday, as the USC Trojans became the latest program to extend one to the 6-foot-2, 225-pound athlete.
"I was really surprised," Cox said of the offer from USC. "I haven't made any top lists of schools yet, but they will definitely fall into that top category."
Cox is familiar with the USC staff, as he attended their junior day in early February. While there were hundreds of people on campus, Cox said the coaches make a point to single him out and put in some one-on-one time.
"I was really surprised," Cox said of the offer from USC. "I haven't made any top lists of schools yet, but they will definitely fall into that top category."
Cox is familiar with the USC staff, as he attended their junior day in early February. While there were hundreds of people on campus, Cox said the coaches make a point to single him out and put in some one-on-one time.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
It was only a little more than two weeks ago that Ohio State was sitting No. 2 behind Arizona State on Marcus Baugh’s leaderboard. In recruiting, two weeks might as well be two years, though, and on Tuesday Baugh committed to the Buckeyes.
“I felt like it was the best place for me,” the ESPNU 150 Watch List tight end said. “I want to play under Urban Meyer. I love the way he’s going to use me … like Aaron Hernandez.”
The Buckeyes trailed Arizona State previously partially because Baugh visited the Sun Devils and had yet to see Ohio State in person. Baugh still has not visited Ohio State, but it was not enough to keep him from committing.
“I felt like it was the best place for me,” the ESPNU 150 Watch List tight end said. “I want to play under Urban Meyer. I love the way he’s going to use me … like Aaron Hernandez.”
The Buckeyes trailed Arizona State previously partially because Baugh visited the Sun Devils and had yet to see Ohio State in person. Baugh still has not visited Ohio State, but it was not enough to keep him from committing.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Offensive tackle Nico Falah (Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco) is a fairly recent convert from basketball to football, and although he has quickly earned more than a dozen offers from some of the country's top programs, he is in no hurry to make a decision.
Falah said that while he struggled with the recruiting process early on, he has adapted to it over the past few months, and will now look to take his time with a final decision, likely waiting all the way until signing day. But Falah has jumped into the recruiting process, picking up offers from schools such as Boise State, Florida, Notre Dame, Oregon, UCLA and USC. Last week, Falah visited the Los Angeles schools and came away impressed.
"They were both really fun for me," Falah said of the trips, adding that while he has known the UCLA coaches for a longer period of time, he was able to develop his relationship with the USC coaches on Saturday.
Falah said that while he struggled with the recruiting process early on, he has adapted to it over the past few months, and will now look to take his time with a final decision, likely waiting all the way until signing day. But Falah has jumped into the recruiting process, picking up offers from schools such as Boise State, Florida, Notre Dame, Oregon, UCLA and USC. Last week, Falah visited the Los Angeles schools and came away impressed.
"They were both really fun for me," Falah said of the trips, adding that while he has known the UCLA coaches for a longer period of time, he was able to develop his relationship with the USC coaches on Saturday.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
