Some thoughts on Malik Jackson's Departure...

It is hard to figure out just what Maik is thinking in his decision to transfer to USC. But if you look a little closer it probably makes some sense in his eyes...

There is no question that Jackson has some talent, he played in all 13 games last season and had 3.5 sacks so there was some production there but Jackson was never going to start, not with Nick Perry and Armond Armstead around.

UT has some NFL caliber players on their D-line now but little depth. Jackson won't start this season but probably will next season. Playing in a bowl game no matter the profile is obviously important to him as well. Like I said I have no problem with it if that is the motivation...

But is there more to it?

Is there some resentment that his brother could not qualify academically at USC?

Did he have issues with the current coaching staff?

Hard to know for sure but there have been some rumors...

Jackson has a bit of a reputation on the team as being a little nutty...someone called him Milton Bradley in pads on one of the other sites. Those who have attended practice regularly have also stated that if Pete Carroll was yelling at a player in practice it was probably the recently drafted Everson Griffin or Jackson. Jackson had his fair share of boneheaded penalties the past couple of years so his discipline on the field comes into question.

All players make some bonehead plays but Jackson's number came up more than others.

In Jackson's exit interview with USCFootball.com he seemed evasive and he used the term "it is what it is" a couple of times and also said "he just went with it" in the piece. That didn't give me a whole lot of conviction in his reasons for leaving. It has also been rumored that Jackson, like Jordan Campbell, was actively recruiting other USC players to leave with him. If true I take exception with that. I am more than willing to wish a kid well if USC does not work out but that goes out the window if the kid is actively recruiting against the school as he is walking out the door.

That to me shows a kids level of immaturity and a window into his soul.

There will be some that will be disappointed that Jackson is leaving the team during it's darkest hour. I can understand that, as many within the Trojan family are coming together. We have seen the 2010 recruiting class pretty much stick together (Stanley and Henderson being the exceptions). And the only defections out of the juniors and seniors that can transfer penalty free were two players that were not going to start, and one of those was rumored to not even being on the team officially. Both apparently had some "issues" during their time with the program...

I doubt this will be the last transfers we see out of all this. Depending on who bolts the program it could be a blessing. The key now is getting early enrollees into the program before the recruiting limits kick in. So far Lane Kiffin has been doing a pretty good job, especially pulling a 4-star linebacker out of Florida yesterday.

This was not unexpected, there were bound to be some defections and there are still some rough seas ahead, we just have to roll with it and hope for the best...

UPDATE: Here is Jackson's interview on a Tennessee radio station earlier today...

There are some interesting quotes here...like Mustain is going to transfer??

You be the judge...