USC Losing Yet Another Player
by Joey Kaufman on Jul 9, 2010 9:10 AM PDT
in USC Football
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In just one week, we have seen defensive end Malik Jackson and cornerback Byron Moore announce their decisions to transfer to Tennessee and LA Harbor College respectively, as well as the release of top offensive line recruit Seantrel Henderson from his letter of intent. However, it doesn't appear as if the player exodus in the wake of the NCAA sanctions is going to suddenly come to a screeching halt anytime soon. Late Thursday night, junior fullback D.J. Shoemate notified Shelley Smith of ESPN that he will transfer to Connecticut due to his desire to switch positions to running back, which wasn't going to happen at 'SC. Per ESPN:
He said he is making the move because he wants to play running back, and because USC has such depth at the position, he didn't think he would get the chance. USC has used him as a wide receiver and at fullback. He was expected to compete for the starting spot in 2010.
"I have much love for the USC," he said. "The school is great, the fans are phenomenal and I'll be a Trojan for life. This was a business decision. When the sanctions came, the opportunity came to go. Playing running back is what my passion is and at UConn I will have an opportunity to play right away and hopefully contribute to an up-and-coming program."
Shoemate was a Super Prep All-American out of Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif. He is the fourth Trojan to transfer since the sanctions were handed down.
Not a shocker. Guys who weren't expected to play much in 2010 or even 2011 are going to look to take advantage of the new transfer rules that allow them to avoid sitting out a season. That shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. It's tough to imagine that the starters will all of sudden pack their bags and head elsewhere. But, guys like Shoemate, who have been relegated to reserve roles for most of their careers, are going to be looking to better their careers, and you can't fault them for that.
Jackson, as well as Jordan Campbell, certainly had their issues. Campbell nearly got kicked off the team in April, and the coaching staff had become increasingly critical of Jackson's work ethic as well. If they weren't screaming at Everson Griffen during practices, they were likely yelling in Jackson's ear. Doesn't mean they're bad kids, but from what I've been told, Kiffin didn't really pressure either guy to stay put.
But on the other hand, Moore and Shoemate are hard-working guys simply looking for better opportunities. All indications point to the fact that USC did in fact want both players to stay. Their departures don't mean they didn't "fit in." It appears that they simply wanted a new start elsewhere. If they feel that it'll be better for them in the long run, then we wish them the best of luck moving forward.
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Disappointing but not unexpected...
Make sense. He has and never will be utilized properly at USC.
Shoemate is a tweener. He wants to be a running back the previous staff moved him to FB and that was after he was a WR. He was a great HS player, 4-star recruit but he was third on the depth chart. He was going to see some this season but not a lot unless Havili went down.
He is probably the most talented player to transfer since the NCAA opened up the floodgates.
That being said..
He made the following comments after a recent interview…
“Nothing can break us,” he said. “The only thing that can break us is ourselves and we know that. We are just taking this as an opportunity to get better and live up to the expectations of our fans, family members and each other.”
So far ‘SC has not lost any starters, only depth. That hurts but also not unexpected…and we don’t know if Kiffin is culling the ranks of some guys because of the upcoming scholarship restrictions.
Lots of chess moves probably taking place behind the scenes…
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
Yep they never let him play the position he was best at to many RBs, I understand why and wish DJ good luck.
After school let out and the guys went back home all their friends and family are in their ears, tough not to go elsewhere.
So Fight On USC followers and Don’t worry WE Will Still Play on Saturdays and Bowls will come later, for WE ARE SC not That other Softball University. Oh and don’t say you now have a baseball team, it’s not Real Baseball unless you use Wooden Bats.
by so.cal.native1952 on Jul 9, 2010 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
This is the one that potentially opens the floodgates. . . . .
. . . . .or is the stop gap.
Of all our players, this one is the hardest for me to see us lose.
Not the thing I wanted to wake up to. Sick? Yes, I am. And I’m already calling it a day before it even gets started.
Good luck DJ. Totally hate to see you go. You should have already started, but we saw some fantastic things from you,
Really, good luck young man!
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
good for them. he can go put up stats at UConn...
Lane can use the scholarship on a better player…
At USC we're not snobs, we're just better than you.
Everything is happening according to plan
It’s all on this fat f*ck. Can’t blame the kids
Still LOCO after all these years
All hail Augustus Kiffin!
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
Our competitors couldn't beat us on the field
so, they attempted to destroy us administratively. Paul Dee is a criminal who should serve time in jail. USC will be as strong as ever though, making the NCAA’s kill shot an Epic Fail.
by DFWTrojan on Jul 9, 2010 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He better start looking into Tennessee
and the football players VIP status at bars and not paying the cover charge. Remember, "You’ve got to monitor the “high profile” players.
"Government is the opiate of the masses" Dennis Prager
"I've got blisters on my fingers!!!!!!"
by gnossos on Jul 9, 2010 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Does anyone have this dudes E-Mail
So Fight On USC followers and Don’t worry WE Will Still Play on Saturdays and Bowls will come later, for WE ARE SC not That other Softball University. Oh and don’t say you now have a baseball team, it’s not Real Baseball unless you use Wooden Bats.
by so.cal.native1952 on Jul 9, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
So, when will back-ups transferring no longer be a front page story?
It is quite pathetic, albeit sometimes humorous, to watch Hater Nation attempt to dance on USC’s grave. However, the fact of the matter is that not one of these defections has hurt the program. I would argue that DJ’s leaving opens the window for more playing time for D-Bax or Tyler, as I bet Kiff trains a TB to backup Stanley.
Joey, I think this was a misstatement: “it is tough to see the starters all of sudden packing their bags and heading elsewhere.” DJ was not a starter and was never going to be a starter. I love DJ Shoemate. He is all Trojan. And, I totally understand his decision. He was never going to start at USC, but he can start at TB for a bowl team elsewhere. Great for him. I will be rooting hard for the kid. I guarantee you that DJ will not be recruiting his fellow players to follow him to Tenn.
We have lost nothing but back-ups, and these defections have not hurt the team one bit. If Carswell or Patterson are next, the team will still not be affected. USC will just have more scholarships open to reload.
Oops
I wrote that way too late last night. I just meant to say it’s tough to imagine starters leaving. Guys like D.J. and Malik leaving is understandable. That was my point. I’ll fix that.
Follow me on twitter @Joey_Kaufman
by Joey Kaufman on Jul 9, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for pointing that out
Fixed.
Follow me on twitter @Joey_Kaufman
by Joey Kaufman on Jul 9, 2010 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
I understand the point DFW
but if the sanctions hold and your scholly numbers get trimmed as levied by the NCAA, you need depth because in all likelihood your starters aren’t going to make it through the season without injuries or missing at least a game or two. I sincerely hope that nobody has injuries-I’ve never wanted anyone to get hurt, even USC players-but in USC’s case you better be good with the Lord, because if you lose many more second and third-stringers it is going to be very hard to overcome any injuries or player losses for any reason, such as grades, altercations, or any of the many reasons that lead to a kid not playing on Saturday.
We all agree on this point, no delusions
This was Paul Dee’s plan for USC and it’s certainly working. The trick will be to modify the practices to account for the lack of depth. In other words say goodbye to Competition Tuesdays and heavy hitting practice drills. If we lose a guy in a game that’s the breaks, but we can’t lose guys on the practice field. I wonder what the Tings are up to?
Still LOCO after all these years
All hail Augustus Kiffin!
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
The NFL plays with 53 players
we’ve only lost 4 transfers, not 24, so far. and only two were even meaningful backups. Each loss is being sensationalized to the Nth degree, but the fact is that we are 3-5 deep at almost every position. DE and LB being the two thinnest. I just don’t think our depth has been hurt yet. Injuries certainly could get us there though.
CFB Live described the effect of the sanctions on USC to date as 'Nil.'
There’s been no tragedy yet.
this is my signature! there are many like it but this one is mine!
What is the freaking Lord got to do with it, REALLY wake-up DJ
Oh and thank you for playing devils advocate maybe you should take that over to RN (roach Nation)
So Fight On USC followers and Don’t worry WE Will Still Play on Saturdays and Bowls will come later, for WE ARE SC not That other Softball University. Oh and don’t say you now have a baseball team, it’s not Real Baseball unless you use Wooden Bats.
by so.cal.native1952 on Jul 9, 2010 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions
It was tongue in cheek-I'm not particularly religious nor am I evangelical
although I might be willing to experiment with either to do something to help save your deluded a**. Consider it a gift-God knows you need it.
My ass doesn't need to be saved dude I have my own way to death.
So Fight On USC followers and Don’t worry WE Will Still Play on Saturdays and Bowls will come later, for WE ARE SC not That other Softball University. Oh and don’t say you now have a baseball team, it’s not Real Baseball unless you use Wooden Bats.
by so.cal.native1952 on Jul 9, 2010 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I respect this classiness
But on the other hand, Moore and Shoemate are hard-working guys simply looking for better opportunities. All indications point to the fact that USC did in fact want both players to stay. Their departures don’t mean they didn’t “fit in.” It appears that they simply wanted a new start elsewhere. If they feel that it’ll be better for them in the long run, then we wish them the best of luck moving forward.
Since joining the Big Ten, Penn State has a record of 103-2 in games where they score 30 points or more. Of course, which college football team doesn't have a similar record.
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