Here's the final list with ratings (Rivals):
Matt Kalil, OT - Servite HS (Anaheim, CA) *****
Tyron Smith, OT - Rancho Verde HS (Moreno Valley, CA) *****
T.J. Bryant, DB - Lincoln HS (Tallahassee, FL) ****
Nick Perry, DE - Martin Luther King HS (Detroit, MI) ****
Jurrell Casey, DT - Long Beach Poly HS (Long Beach, CA) ****
Malik Jackson, DE - Birmingham HS (Lake Balboa, CA) ****
Khaled Holmes, OG - Mater Dei HS (Santa Ana, CA) ****
Brice Butler, WR - Norcross HS (Norcross, GA) ****
Armond Armstead, DT - Pleasant Grove HS (Elk Grove, CA) ****
Blake Ayles, TE - Orange Lutheran HS (Orange, CA) ****
Daniel Campbell, OG - Aldine HS (Aldine, TX) ****
Wes Horton, DE - Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, CA) ****
Matt Meyer, OG - Lincoln HS (Stockton, CA) ****
D.J. Shoemate, WR - Servite HS (Anaheim, CA) ****
Uona Kavienga, LB - Leuzinger HS (Los Angeles, CA) ****
Brian Baucham, DB - West Torrance HS (Torrance, CA) ***
Drew McAllister, S - Monte Vista HS (Danville, CA) ***
Curtis McNeal, RB - Venice HS (Los Angeles, CA) ***
Maurice Simmons, LB - Dominguez HS (Compton, CA) ***
The big surprise of the day was the commitment of T.J. Bryant from Florida. Everyone knows that Florida State has Lincoln HS on lock, so I knew it would be a tall task for SC to go in and try to steal a highly rated CB prospect away from the Noles. Despite all the talk leading up to signing day about T.J.'s parents wanting him to get away from Tallahassee, I thought if T.J. didn't go to FSU he'd be a lock for Miami, so it was a big surprise for me to see him put on a SC cap. I'm very excited about T.J.'s commitment since I've been waiting for SC to pick up a highly-rated CB out of Florida for some time now. Hopefully he ends up being our first true lockdown corner in the PC era.
The other big "surprise" was the commitment of Nick Perry from Michigan. This one shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone who followed his official visits to SC then UMich. After coming to CA, Nick was raving about the program/weather, etc. and then when he went back to Michigan, his comments about Coach Rodriquez/UMich were less than enthusiastic. When Nick said SC was still in the lead after his visit to UMich/Miami, I knew it was in the books.
Overall I think this is a very solid recruiting class. It does lack the big name players at the skill position, but that isn't what we need at this point. We did a fantastic job filling up the trenches on both sides of the ball and added depth at LB/DB positions. This class just makes sense from a need standpoint. Also, when you consider the amount of talent coming out of CA next year, this class acts as the solid foundation for us to go out and concentrate on the skill players.
What are your thoughts about the class?
