While the future appears bright for USC's football program as a whole, Pete Carroll's Trojans will have some major reloading to do on defense if they hope to sustain this success. Here's a list of our defensive starters who are expected to be gone in 2009...
Kyle Moore
Fili Moala
Clay Matthews
Brian Cushing
Rey Maualuga
Kaluka Maiava
Josh Pinkard
Cary Harris
Kevin Ellison
Taylor Mays
Losing 10 starters on either side of the ball could be disastrous for any team. However, don't fret, Trojan fans...coach Carroll to the rescue!
This weekend, the USC coaching staff will be scouring the country, gawking at the best and brightest from the high school football world.
Way back in May, I gave you four names to watch out for in this year's recruiting class; Matt Barkley (verbal commit), Devon Kennard, Manti Te'o, and Vontaze Burfict (verbal commit).
Barkley struggled early in his senior season, but he has managed find his groove again.
Kennard, meanwhile, suffered a season ending knee injury in September. He'll be in LA on Dec. 12 for one of his official visits.
As for linebackers Manti Te'o and Vontaze Burfict, they have been nothing short of spectacular.
Today, I present you with four more "gotta have 'em" recruits...
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1. Frankie Telfort - LB/S
Watching tape on Frankie, his instincts and aggressiveness remind me of Kevin Ellison. He's undersized, at 5'11, 200 pounds, meaning that college coaches will probably put him at strong safety. Telfort reportedly gave a high rating when asked about his visit to USC earlier this year.
Considering: USC, Florida, LSU, Duke, Stanford
2. Jarvis Jones - LB
Jones, an outside 'backer from Georgia, has everything the scouts are looking for; a big frame (6'3, 225 pounds), a good football IQ, tremendous speed, quick lateral movement, and a passion for destroying the ball carrier. Like Telfort, he loved his visit to USC.
Considering: USC, Florida, Georgia, Miami, LSU, Texas
3. Jawanza Starling - FS
Starling is a hard-hitting free safety from Lincoln High School in Tallahassee (FL). If that rings a bell, it's because freshman TJ Bryant went to that same high school; which is normally a breeding ground for Gator and Seminole recruits. Jawanza would be another big out-of-state steal.
Considering: Florida State, Georgia, USC, Florida, Oregon, Alabama, California
4. Tyler Gaffney - TB/FB
Tyler is a production machine down in San Diego. In his senior season, he's had over 1500 yards on the ground, 30 touchdowns, and a 10+ yds/carry average. Most schools are recruiting him as a tailback, but I think USC views this kid in a similar fashion to the way they saw fullback Stanley Havili.
Considering: USC, Stanford, Notre Dame
This article was originally published on USCBlitz.com
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about 1 month ago
If Manti Te'o commits to So Cal. I will have never been so happy in my life. Burfict AND Te'o? Pete, you're amazing bro.
from about 1 month ago
Agreed Jalen, we'd be honored to have either one of them, let alone two. Pete would land himself in football-god status :)
about 1 month ago
I like what pete has done as far as recruiting goes this year but im dissapointed about losing Shaquelle evans to notre dame. The crown jewel in this class will be Devon Kennard in my opinion.
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