I am finally back in a groove after being away for a few days last week...
This story on Defensive Coordinator Rocky Seto caught my eye earlier in the week...
Defensive coordinator Rocky Seto traded the coaches box for the pulpit this weekend, much to the delight of thousands of churchgoers in Orange County.
As the invited guest speaker at Saddleback Church's high school ministry, Seto tied football and faith together in an eloquent and powerful sermon at four youth-directed services this weekend, undoubtedly touching the lives of high school students, their parents and many other curious attendees.
Speaking at one of the largest youth ministries in the country, Seto's talk focused on the idea of fear and how that relates to peer pressure. While sharing a personal journal entry entitled, "Everything counts," he discussed the dichotomy between character and reputation to drive home his point.
"Reputation is what others think of you; character is who I am before God," Seto told the audience. "So what's the focus here? We need to focus on pleasing God."
Seto spoke to about 2,000 people over the four services, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. After each talk, several admirers lined up to meet the coach, and overall, his words were very well received.
This cynical world that we live in would have many mock or distrust a person who is so up front and open in his beliefs but having met Seto briefly last year I can tell you that he is sincere and humble. I am not very religious myself, I have my beliefs, but guys like Seto do it right...they don't push their beliefs on you they let their actions and how they live their lives speak volumes of their beliefs. He is going to need his faith this season as he will get tested as the new DC with a whole new starting line-up on defense.
Seto is a true class act!
Dan Woike over on Rivals has a nice review of this years QB's...
What is
In maybe a mild surprise, Corp downed Mustain during the spring, but the Arkansas transfer wasn’t hottest on Corp’s heels.
True freshman Matt Barkley enrolled early, and he quickly made a push for playing time.
And while Corp heads into the season as the No. 1, Barkley has his eyes set on being the Trojans’ starting quarterback today — not tomorrow.
"I still think it’s on. That’s my goal. It’s the one thing I’m striving for this fall," Barkley said. "It would be a dream come true to win this job. I’m just going to keep on competing. The coaches know it’s not over, and Aaron knows that too. I’m just going to keep working hard."
Corp knows the competition is still on, and he expects Barkley and Mustain to push him this fall.
Training camp is going to be interesting. While Corp has been named the starter we all know anything can happen, though not likely, all the QB's will get some reps. I certainly don't think we will see anything earthshattering as that is not Pete Carroll's way. Unless Corp throws up all over himself expect him to be the starter against SJSU. The offensive line in the country will go a long way to helping Corp settle in but he still has to perform. I have little doubts that he is up to the task.
SCPlaybook has nice interview of WR Ronald Johnson...you can watch it here.
On the recruiting trail, the big news today is that Lakewood (Calif.) QB Jesse Scroggins will announce his school of choice today.
Top-100 quarterback prospect Jesse Scroggins of Lakewood is expected to announce his college decision this week, possibly as early as Wednesday at one of the two ESPN Zone locales. (Details still are being finalized, I’m told.)
Scroggins, who is participating in the Elite 11 quarterback camp, reportedly has narrowed his list to USC, Florida and Tennessee.
He is great get if we can land him, but I am skeptical becasue Barkley is going to be here for a while and a talented kid like Scroggins might not want to wait for his chance. Going to intriguing that's for sure. Bruce Feldman has a nice write-up on Scroggins.
On the flip side it would appear that Eastlake LB/S Tony Jefferson commited to ucla. This is a bit surprising on the face of things because most thought that he was a strong Trojan lean if not a silent commit. But in reading some of the things on some of the message boards it would appear that the coaches might have cooled on Jefferson after seeing him in action at USC Rising Stars Camp. Now, please take that with a grain of salt. who knows what the real reason is...some will say that he didn't want to compete, especially with USC recently picking up a huge commitment in Lakewood safety Dion Bailey who committed last week. From what I have also read Jefferson wanted to announce at one of the all-star games early next year so this adds another twist to this...maybe he is thumbing his nose at USC?
Fine.
SC still has a pretty solid class and it will only get better.