Seantrel Henderson decided, who else?
It's been a wild 364 days since the last National Signing Day.
It began by Pete and staff grabbing the big play-makers on the offensive side of the ball. Pete then shocked everyone by announcing he is leaving USC to take the head coaching job in Seattle and USC fans began to wonder if the commits would stay together. Kiffin was hired and pledged that he would recruit the best in the nation and end up with the best class of 2010. With the help of his staff, including coach Orgeron, Kiffin went out and found play-makers from California, Florida, and Minnesota.
More importantly, Kiffin kept all the commitments that were committed to USC, except for a punter.
Kiffin could not have handled the recruiting process any better. Not even a month in, he battled UCLA to get commitments from Hayes Pullard and Marquis Jackson. He kept his hopes and landed a commitment from Seantrel Henderson. He owned to his word and indeed made USC have the best recruiting class of 2010, according to Rivals.com.
And it's not over yet...
USC still has a great shot of landing 5-star athlete, Latwan Anderson. Anderson informed everyone that he wasn't going to be signing anywhere on National Signing Day because he still wants to visit what he calls his "dream school." With his impressive athleticism, speed, ball skills, and coverage, Anderson is able to play safety, cornerback, and wide receiver. Anderson will visit USC in two weeks.
Questions have been raised whether USC deserves to be the number one class. Afterall, USC only has a total of 20 commitments, the lowest count out of the top five schools which include Florida, Texas, Auburn, and Alabama in order. Auburn has 32 commitments, the most. Texas was the lowest with 25, but still beats out USC's 20. Out of those 20, five are 5-star players (the most), 14 are 4-star players, and Anthony Brown being the lone 3-star player.
The truth of the matter is that USC has the better of the bunch with the most impact players. Quality over Quantity.
And now, I present you those players who will wear cardinal and gold in the fall...
[Note by Julio Nievas, 02/04/10 10:04 AM PST ] Guys, I added video to each individual for your viewing pleasure ;)
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Seantrel Henderson
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Position: Offensive Tackle
From: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Measurables: 6-8/301
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals: #1 OT
Signed LOI?: No, committed
Notes:
Regarded as the top prospect in the nation and has won numerous player of the year awards. Henderson has the size to knock anyone around. He's quick on his feet and his agility will surprise fast pass-rushers. He will be Barkley's biggest body guard. Look for him to see some playing time in 2010 during garbage time, as his position (left tackle) will be likely given to Tyron Smith. Still, this was Kiffin's biggest (literally) prize. He will get his reps.
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Kyle Prater
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Position: Offensive Tackle
From: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Measurables: 6-5/205/4.5
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals: #1 WR
Signed LOI?: ENROLLED
Notes:
This player should be dubbed "The next #1" (He's wearing #85). Make no mistake about it, Prater is a tall, lean, ball-catching machine. At 6-5, Prater has the size and vertical jump to catch anything that is heaved at him. His hands are freakishly large and catching one-hand grabs is not rare; Just check out this video. He wont out-run you, but with the proper conditioning drills that he will do over the next seven months; you better pre-order your #85 jersey now because they will sell out.
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Robert Woods
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Position: Wide Receiver
From: Gardena, California
Measurables: 6-1/180/ 4.43
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals: #1 ATH
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Woods and Prater are the top two wide-outs in the nation. With Woods, you get speed and great ball- catching skills. Don't be fooled by his size (6-1, 185), his leaping ability will kill corners (40 inch vertical). His route-running abilities is what breaks him away from all the other wide outs in the nation, he will confuse the heck out of corners and safeties. Will be a deep threat. I project him to be RoJo 2.0.
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Dillon Baxter
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Position: Running Back
From: San Diego, California
Measurables: 5-11/187/4.5
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals: #1 APB
Signed LOI?: ENROLLED
Notes:
A man among men. Dillon is an emotional leader and will rub some of it all to others. Baxter opened his recruiting (as did most) when Carroll left the program, but a week later solidified his commitment to USC and enrolled on Monday. His running back skills are as good as anyone's, but he can add a few more pounds. He also played QB for his school and was excellent at the position, even out-performed other quarter-backs in the Army Bowl All-American practices. Having said that, watch out for the wild-cat play.
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Markeith Ambles
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Position: Wide Receiver
From: McDonough, Georgia
Measurables6-2/182/4.5
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals: #3 WR
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
The second best player of Georgia, Ambles is best compared to Damian Williams. He has a lean body and quick feet that can sprint out of the line of scrimmage in a hurry. Perhaps Ambles' best skill is catching the ball. He has tremendous hands and excellent ball control. Deep threat.
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Xavier Grimble
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Position: Tight End
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Measurables6-6/245/4.7
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals: #1 TE
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Has the size (6-6, 245) to be a small lineman, just to athletic to be one, though. Xavier Grimble has soft hands and will punish linebackers once he receives it. Top tight-end in the nation.
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Soma Vainuku
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Position: Fullback
From: Eureka, California
Measurables6-1/245/4.6
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#1 FB
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Vainuku racked up 2,000+ rushing yards in high school. He's a tank that will punish small linebackers. Kiffin and staff may use him at middle linebacker, but it is not his natural position. For running a 4.6 at his height and weight is impressive.
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George Uko
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Position: Defensive Tackle
From: Chino, California
Measurables6-3/300/5
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#3 DT
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
A defensive tackle who will bull rush you with top effort. Top three defensive-tackle in the nation. Watching Uko play is very similar to that of Sedrick Ellis. He has terrific size and should see a great amount of playing time at the defensive tackle position. If only Uko played in the Stanford game...
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Jesse Scroggins
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Position:Quarterback
From: Lakewood, California
Measurables6-3/195/4.8
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#5 QB
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
The 6-2 quarter-back is known for his accuracy and athleticism. Scouts say he has a noodle arm, but he proved everyone wrong when he showed scouts he could throw the ball 70 yards down the field. No people, that was not a typo. Matt Barkley may be the QB for now, but Lane's "clean slate" speech will bring Barkley competition.
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Nickell Robey
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Position:Cornerback
From: Frostproof, Florida
Measurables5-8/165/4.38
Rankings:
Rivals:#9 CB
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Yes, at first glance at his numbers, he is small. But can you believe his bench max is 285? Me neither. Robey is quite the athlete and ballhawk. Has a great vertical and quick on his feet for those nasty wide receivers who cut through the secondary. Will be a valuable weapon in the Tampa 2.
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DJ Morgan
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Position:Runningback
From: Woodland Hills, California
Measurables5-11/175/4.42
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#9 CB
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Probably the fastest offensive player. Morgan's juking abilities are un-matched. He was invited to the Army All-American Bowl Game but could not participate as he had a devastating knee injury. Once recovered, look for him to return punts and more.
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Glen Stanley
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Position:Linebacker
From: Thatcher, Arizona
Measurables6-2/245/4.42
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:JUCO
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Glen Stanley is truly lights out. He is a very explosive player (4.4 speed!!) and his tackling ability is impressive. Just look at his video. Lane Kiffin wanted to bring beasts who are fast and physical, and that sums up Stanley. Picture a freight train accelerating at the start coming at you. That’s Glen Stanley.
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Giovanni Di Poalo
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Position:Offensive Tackle
From: Ventura, California
Measurables6-4/260
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#20 OT
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Mid-size offensive lineman who has terrific blocking abilities on the running game. Will not see much playing time as a freshman, but look for him to compete for a starting job in 2011.
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Christian Thomas
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Position:Tight End
From: Palmdale, California
Measurables6-3/235/4.5
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#4 TE
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Very muscular tight end with great hands. He is a 5-10 yard tight end, but if he builds his legs which would make him faster, he can be a deep threat tight end. While tight end is his natural position, it wouldn’t shock me if Kiffin puts him at linebacker.
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Randall Telfer
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Position:Tight End
From: Rancho Cucamonga, California
Measurables6-4/220
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#6 TE
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
With Xavier being the most physical, Telfer is the most athletic. Very tall and lean, Kiffin is going to be a very happy kid when he implements his top two tight-ends.
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Demetrius Wright
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Position:Safety
From: Corona, California
Measurables6-1/201/4.49
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#8 S
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
My favorite recruit of the class. Wright showed everyone on national television that recruits should enroll at a school not for the coach, but for the school itself. The day Carroll departed, Wright did not flinch and wanted to be a USC Trojan. Has very similar skills and build like Bailey, but has more upside and a larger frame that may even put him as an outside linebacker.
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Dion Bailey
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Position:Safety
From: Lakewood, California
Measurables6-1/195/4.45
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#7 S
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
A real ballhawk. Will have a field day when his time comes in the tampa 2. He's a safety that lacks top-speed, but his strength will over power mid-sized receivers.
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Hayes Pullard
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Position:Athlete
From: Los Angeles, California
Measurables6-0/220/4.5
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:#14 ATH
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Hailing from Crenshaw, Pullard made a name for himself during his junior year with 110 tackles, 6 sacks, and a couple of interceptions. He had a down year this year, but if he is developed properly, he can be a beast in the front seven. He’s very athletic and with quick agility. Look for him taking mop up duties and special teams.
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Marquis Jackson
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Position:Defensive End
From: Santa Clarita, California
Measurables6-4/240
p>Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:JUCO
Signed LOI?: Committed
Notes:
Surprise, surprise. After telling USC on Sunday that he is still committed to UCLA, Jackson surprised everyone by committing to USC late in the evening on National Signing Day. USC and UCLA were battling prospects all day with Jackson being the last battle and ultimately choosing the Trojans. In 2008, he had 80 tackles, 12 of them were sacks. Have yet to see a video of him, but when you have 12 sacks in a season; well that explains itself.
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Anthony Brown
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Position:Athlete
From: Kaiser, California
Measurables5-11/180/4.55
Video: [1]
Rankings:
Rivals:# 35 ATH
Signed LOI?: YES
Notes:
Position player who is able to do parts of everything. He is a great tackler, great ball catching ability, great speed, lacks size.
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