Here is a breakdown of USC’s recruiting needs at fullback heading into signing day (Feb. 3):
FULLBACKS
Who’s on the depth chart: Stanley Havili (Sr.); D.J. Shoemate (Jr.); Simione Vehikite (Fr.); Hunter Simmons (Fr.)
Who’s gone: Adam Goodman
Who’s verbally committed: N/A
Who’s being targeted: Soma Vainuku (6-1, 255, Eureka Senior High, CA)
Priority level: Low
The skinny: Read the rest of this entry »
Here are my top five observations from USC’s season-ending victory over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl:
1. The first step
It’s too much of a leap to say the Trojans are “back” after Saturday night’s triumph (whatever “back” means). But it was clearly a step in the right direction and a positive indicator for 2010. Matt Barkley, who will be the focal point of next season’s offense, again flashed his dazzling potential (along with the maddening inconsistency he must shed by next season). The young front seven, which will be the anchor of next season’s defense, rediscovered its playmaking ways (5.5 tackles for losses, 2 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery.) It wasn’t a dominant performance, or an exceptionally artistic one, but it was solid and efficient, and you couldn’t say that about a lot of USC games in the second half of the season.
2. Damian Williams = Mark Sanchez
Damian Williams was his usual outstanding self, and I’d be surprised if he ever donned a USC uniform again. Williams said after the game that he was still undecided about the NFL draft. But think about these two factors: (1) He had a magnificent final game, much like Mark Sanchez in last season’s Rose Bowl, which basically served as an audition tape; and (2) Williams already has his degree. I asked Taylor Mays about Williams’ NFL readiness after the game, and Mays said: “Damian’s been ready for the NFL since Springdale, Ark.” That’s Williams’ hometown, and that’s where he said he was headed sometime Sunday to talk about the draft decision with his family. I’m 90 percent certain they will conclude he should go for it, and no one would blame if he did. Read the rest of this entry »
In a lot of ways, Stanley Havili knows what Joe McKnight is going through.
Havili, USC’s junior fullback, missed last season’s Rose Bowl because he was academically ineligible. McKnight, USC’s junior tailback, could miss Saturday’s Emerald Bowl because of a possible NCAA rules violation.
“It really is tough emotionally,” Havili said Wednesday after the Trojans’ penultimate bowl practice at City College of San Francisco. “You get down on yourself. For that whole break, you’re thinking negatively.
“I don’t know how Joe’s handling it, but the player we know, he’s probably hurting back home. He’s a competitor. He wants to be out here with this football team.”
McKnight remained in Los Angeles on Wednesday while USC investigated whether he broke NCAA rules by driving a car registered to his girlfriend’s boss.
USC coach Pete Carroll had no new information on the case after the team’s late-morning practice, other than to say he hoped there would be “some communication” with the school’s compliance office later in the day. School spokesman Tim Tessalone said Wednesday evening that there was “no news” to report regarding McKnight’s eligibility.
Non-Joe McKnight-related tidbits from USC’s Tuesday practice at City College of San Francisco:
** Coach Pete Carroll said sophomore tackle Tyron Smith, who’s academically ineligible for the Emerald Bowl, can be reinstated for spring football. Fullback Stanley Havili was ineligible for last season’s Rose Bowl but participated in spring drills.
** A final decision hasn’t been made yet, but Shareece Wright took most of the first-team reps at cornerback opposite Kevin Thomas and is on track to start. Wright was academically ineligible for the regular season. His replacement, Josh Pinkard, tore a knee ligament Dec. 5.
** Defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo, who suffered a season-ending broken leg Sept. 26, jogged during warmups, a good sign for next season.
More from the USC blog:
We still don’t know Joe McKnight’s fate for the Emerald Bowl. We do know USC will be without three key contributors because of academics, and that isn’t good for any of the parties involved.
From the players’ perspective, it’s an especially crushing blow for the seniors, tight end Anthony McCoy and defensive tackle Averell Spicer. Both battled through injuries this season to get to this point, and now they’ll miss their final chance to play for the Trojans.
Of course, they have no one to blame but themselves. It’s almost incomprehensible that they could allow this to happen with as much help as they get with their schoolwork. Yet it did, and here we are.
