nobletroy
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(12/7/05 2:00:53 pm)
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Is SC Striking Out In Recruiting? <hr size="1"> SC Striking Out In Recruiting?
You've surely read of "Mighty Casey" the fictional hero of the famous poem Casey at the Bat, by E. L. Thayer. He was the Mudville nine's greatest hitter, who came to bat with the tying and winning runs on base in the bottom of the 9th:
"It looked extremely rocky for the Mudville nine that day; The score stood two to four, with but one inning left to play.
So when Cooney died at second, and Burrows did the same, a
pallor wreathed the features of the patrons of the game."
With two out and two more batters ahead of Casey, the fans thought, "...If only Casey could get a whack at that,
they'd put even money now, with Casey at the bat."
"...there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat."
"But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all. And the much despised Blakely tore the cover off the ball. And when the dust had lifted, and they saw what had occurred, there was Blakely safe at second, and Flynn a-huggin' third."
"Then from the gladdened multitude went up a joyous yell-
it rumbled in the mountain tops, it rattled in the dell;
It struck upon the hillside and rebounded on the flat;
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat."
"...There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face;
And when responding to the cheers he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
"...Then when the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
defiance glanced in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip."
"And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
...'That ain't my style,' said Casey. 'Strike one,' the umpire said."
"...'Kill him! Kill the umpire!' shouted someone in the stand;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand."
"With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult, he made the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, 'Strike two.' "
" 'Fraud!' cried the maddened thousands, and the echo answered
'Fraud!'
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed;
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they new that Casey wouldn't let the ball go by again."
"The sneer is gone from Casey's lips, his teeth are clinched in hate,
He pounds with cruel vengeance his bat upon the plate;
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow."
"Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville--mighty Casey has struck out."
I wonder if we aren't setting ourselves up for a large disappointment with our high expectations for this year's recruiting class? Much like the Mudville fans unfailing faith in mighty Casey that he would always come through with the game winning hit. Perhaps our expectations re: Carroll's recruiting prowess are unreasonable. Every year his recruiting classes have been ranked at or near the top of college football.
This year appeared it would be no different with so many top 100 recruits saying they had the Trojans among their favorite schools. Even PC has been quoted as saying this could be the greatest class in USC history. Yet, the recruiting process seems stranger than usual and there are some troubling signs.
For example, many of the top programs such as Florida, Notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, Georgia, Miami, Auburn and many others have nearly awarded all their scholarships except for two or three they are saving for several big names they are waiting on. Even UCLA has about twenty verbal commitments to our five.
We only have two top 100 recruits (Mays & Perez) verbally committed to us so far--Two!! While Notre Dame has nine and the other top schools are not far behind. And don't tell me about the silents PC has locked up, like Brandon Antwine (DT) whom we just lost to Florida. Oh yeah, then there was Deuce's cousin (Ofa Mohetau) that was going to fill his place at LG, except he just committed to Texas Tech--that's two strikes.
We were also listed by LeSean McCoy (#1 RB) as his favorite until he visited VaTech and changed his mind ala the stud RB last year that turned us down for West Virginia. Top Ohio RB Chris Wells also liked us and may have de-committed from Ohio St. in favor of us but his mother said "No way!" Then, I ask you who would want to go to Oklahoma after what we did to them in the Orange Bowl and their poor season this year, yet that appears to be where Demarco Murray is headed to rejoin his high school teammate that signed with the Sooners last year.
Wait, I'm not done yet. Emmanuel Moody de-committed from Texas saying that he had always liked USC. It seemed he was a lock for us. Now Miami has entered the picture and it doesn't look so promising any more. Well, you say we will surely get Stafon Johnson, but he hasn't scheduled his official visit to us as yet. We do have a decent shot at Texas RB Michael Johnson who committed early to Oklahoma St. and just visited us. However, there are many divergent opinions on his skills and speed.
It is rumored that we are not in the running for either Tim Tebow or Andre Smith who were here for the UCLA weekend. Tebow isn't a big loss for us because of Mark Sanchez, but Smith, the top rated OL was a real need for us. So also is #2 OL Sam Young in Florida who is rumored leaning to the Gators or Irish. As of yet he hasn't scheduled a visit with us. Butch Lewis who can play both OL/DL was here for UCLA as well, but no report on his feelings has been posted. He too is rumored to be close to committing to the "Fat Man" at ND. Others such as Recruiting Guru say that #3 OL Steve Shilling who is visiting us from his home in Washington on Dec. 16th is in the bag for us. I hope so, because that bag is looking pretty empty right now.
Derrick Hill rated #5 DT was supposed to visit this past weekend but missed his flight and is going to reschedule. He reportedly loved a recent visit with the Cal coaches. #1 rated DT Gerald McCoy visited us last month and reported he liked his visit although, I've heard he favors the "Fat Man"(Weis) or the "Slick Man" (Stoops) at Oklahoma (McCoy's home state).
Now here is the kicker of all kickers. Gerald Martinez of USCfootball.com reported Monday that Allen Bradford loved his visit for the UCLA game and weekend, bonded with players and coaches and had USC as his top school. That was Monday morning, right. Then those losers from UCLA, Dorrell, Biennemy, and a 3rd coach come to the Bradford's house on Monday evening. Can you believe the guts of these losers to show their faces outside the Westwood campus - let alone visit a recruit's house? Anyway, come Tuesday morning their is a story by head Rivals dude, Jeremy Crabtree that after the visit by Dorrell et. al., that now the hapless bRuins are leading once again for the top California player's signature!
All I've got to say is shheeeeeeet man (I don't curse). Shheeeeeeeeeet!!!! What in the Hell is going on here (I don't curse). What the *#@+ing, kiss my lower orifice (I don't curse), 'sup?
On top of all the rest, #3 WR David Ausberry didn't show for his official visit this past weekend, and now says he won't be rescheduling. Instead he is going to visit other schools. He says he knows SC well enough from previous unofficial visits, but you and I know it isn't the same thing. And as far as WR's Harvin and Hazelton go, who knows? Anyone who tells you they do know is full of sheeeeeet (I don't curse). It looks better for us with Harvin, but both of them are going to be a battle with Urban Meyer at Florida, Old Man Bowden at FSU and what's his name at Miami.
We do look good for Joshua Tatum #3 LB. I really like this kid. He is bright, has a good character and is a leader. We also look very good for #6 RB/CB C.J. Gable. He too is an outstanding young man as well as athlete. Another top recruit is #1 JC recruit DE/DT Lewis Holmes that appears to be leaning our way.
But four top 100 recruits plus one JC All American and a smattering of lesser ranked recruits like OL commit Zack Heberer, is far below what the other top programs are doing, including UCLA. PC and staff are really going to have to step it up fast in order to compete with the Fat Man (ND), Urbane Man (FL), Old Man (FSU), Decrepit Man (PSU), Slick Man (OU), and Whiny Man (UT).
On the positive side I know we are going to defeat UT decisively. My prediction is the Trojans in a rout, 52-17! Remember you heard it here first.
Let’s hope for the best in recruiting. In the past, PC has been a phenomenal closer. But so far, I just have not seen the indications of that being true this year. Fight On!
nobletroy
