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Pic of the Day: Marcus Johnson Posterizing Cal's Jorge Gutierrez (+Video)

I would just quit basketball if I got yammed on like that.  USC ended up winning the game 73-62 to sweep the NorCal schools and also take sole possession of 3rd place in the conference.

You can watch the video below:

James Boyd & De'von Flournoy Reaffirm Their Commitment to USC

From WeAreSC.com:

“I wasn’t really feeling Washington, I really didn’t want to go up there and I just decided to commit to USC,” said Boyd about his decision to cancel his official visit to Washington. “I have ended the recruiting process and I am 100% committed to USC.” - James Boyd

"I'm 100% committed to USC," Flournoy said. "It came down to just wanting to play for Pete Carroll. Coach Carroll told me the second I committed last year that football or no football, I would always have a home at USC. - De'von Flournoy (link)

Definitely great news.  Even with the commitment of Devon Kennard on Tuesday, James Boyd was a key recruit to retain since he not only adds depth to the weakside DE position, but can also play the hybrid LB/DE role we've recently seen from Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews in 3-4 situations.  He's probably a good candidate to redshirt his 1st year because he is undersized, but from what I've seen, kid has nice potential.  Definitely someone that can flourish under Coach Carlisle.

USC also got another reaffirment from De'von Flournoy, the 4-star receiver from Van Nuys, CA.  Although WR is not a priority at the moment, our depth actually works in favor of De'von since he is another player that can benefit greatly from a redshirt year.  I really like what I've seen from De'von; he's not a player that will dominate at the next level but has a chance of being a great #2 receiver.  His route-running is above-average and he has great quickness.  The bulk of his work will be in the weight room getting his frame up to the college level and also technique for physical CBs that will inevitably try to jam him at the line.

Jamie Newberg of Rivals.com's Predictions on Manti Te'o and Jarvis Jones

From Rivals.com:

You have to believe USC and Notre Dame are the teams to beat, and I like the Irish's chances. Te'o and his folks love Notre Dame's academics and he could play early in South Bend. In fact, his parents prefer Notre Dame, even visiting the school last month on their own.

...Today, I think Te'o chooses Notre Dame, but that could change with a great visit to USC.

Interesting to hear Manti's parents prefer Notre Dame.  Like I've mentioned before, it's hard to go against Pete Carroll late in the 4th quarter when he has a chance to seal the deal.  Manti was set to arrive today for his official visit and will attend the USC vs. Cal basketball game on Saturday.  

Jamie also has a prediction on Jarvis Jones, a 4-star LB/DE out of Georgia:

While I still believe Florida is the team to beat, there are two schools I would keep a close on eye here – Georgia and USC, especially the Trojans.

USC coach Pete Carroll had a great visit with Jones last week, and Jones really likes new Trojans defensive coordinator Rocky Seto. Jones also is enamored with the idea of playing for USC.

Jarvis will be taking his last official visit to LSU this weekend.  

Shareece Wright Declines Plea Bargain Offer by San Bernardino County District Attorney

From LATimes.com:

Wright, 21, continues to decline a plea bargain offer by the San Bernardino County district attorney that would drop the charge to a misdemeanor but leave him responsible for a 90-day jail term that could be served on weekends.

"We don't think there should be any consequence to this other than maybe community service," Wright's attorney, John Vega, said after the hearing before San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge John N. Martin. "We're not in agreement that he serve any time for this."

This is a bizarre case.  To refresh your memory, Shareece went to a friend's going-away party back in his hometown because his friend was being shipped off to Iraq; neighbors complained that the party was too loud so Colton police arrived to break it up and ended up arresting 3 of Shareece's friends.  Shareece was taken into the police stations for questioning but ultimately let go.  

All the ruckus was settled until roughly a week later, when the District Attorney charged him for resisting arrest, which begs the question, why was Shareece charged for resisting arrest yet not arrested at the scene?

Seeing the progress of this case, the charge against Shareece looks shaky. Bottom-line, we know Shareece didn't actually assault or resist an officer otherwise he would have been arrested along with his friends.  So what does that leave?  Something minor, which is why Shareece's attorney is calling the DA's bluff.  No one is going to serve a 90-day jail term over this type of nonsense. Stuff like this happens every weekend.  

Hopefully this blows over so Shareece can go back to knocking heads.

Rivals.com Video Interview w/ Devon Kennard

AMP: One on one with Devon Kennard @ Rivals Video

More on Devon Kennard's Commitment to USC

From USCFootball.com:

"This was a really tough decision, but I've decided to attend the University of Southern california - I'm a Trojan," said Kennard as he put on a cardinal colored USC hat. "I felt like I needed to step up and be a man with this decision. I'm glad that this is the end and that I'm going to be a Trojan. My family is close and they'll get to see me play.

..."The atmosphere at USC is all about winning," said Kennard. "I'm a competitive person and that's the philosophy Pete Carroll has. He's a defensive minded coach and the environment he has created at USC just pushes you to get better."

On top of the obvious talent, Devon has a 3.96 GPA.  If you watch his press conference and interviews, he seems like a grounded and mature kid that understands the realities of what he's stepping into instead of living in his own hype.  In that respect, he reminds me of Armond Armstead from last year's class; already approaching football with a business mindset in his conduct and training. This bodes well considering SC is arguably the most scrutinized football school in the nation; we need kids that understand how the media works, what real competition is about, and how newfound fame comes with responsibilities.  

From a player standpoint, the obvious comparison comes from current Trojan, Everson Griffen, who is also out of Arizona:

Everson Griffen - 6'4, 266lbs, 4.56, Top-Rated DE

Devon Kennard - 6'3, 257lbs, 4.70, Top-Rated DE

Everson was an absolute freak of a talent coming out of HS; I think it is safe to say he had the edge in terms of athleticism stepping into SC.  Where I think Devon sets himself apart is discipline.  Everson was almost purely a pass-rusher coming out of college; Devon brings more of a balanced package in terms of proficiency against the run or pass.  

Both are of course elite talents.  If Devon can stay healthy, he has a great shot at being a star player at SC.  Assuming he recovers on time, he'll likely push for time right away with Malik Jackson who looked great last year. 

Devon Kennard Commits to USC

Devon made it official today at his high school.  He is rated the top weakside DE in the nation by Rivals.com and #8 overall in the Rivals100.

I will have a write-up later regarding the commitment, but in the meantime, here are some quotes from Devon regarding his knee:

Kennard believes the injury won't have any long-term effects. In fact, he says being forced to sit out most of his senior season only motivated him more. "It's making me better," Kennard said earlier this month at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. "It's making me work even harder. I'm bouncing back."...

..."My six-month mark is mid-March," Kennard said. "Once I get there, then the rest of the time until I report will just be training at 100 percent."

More to come later...

Reason Manti Te'o Dropped BYU

From TheSaltLakeTribune:

The father said that Manti felt like he would be "too comfortable" at BYU and become too complacent. Several of his cousins already play for BYU, including safety Shiloah Te'o.

"He has always been one who wanted to paddle his own canoe," Brian Te'o said. "He wants to be on his own and face challenges that wouldn't come his way at BYU. He liked his trip to BYU, it is just that it just seemed too comfortable. That's what he told us."

Sounds like it'll come down to USC and Notre Dame with SC being the favorite. I'm liking our chances with Manti visiting this week; it's hard to bet against Pete when he has the opportunity to seal the deal. You will also have Patrick Hall and Matt Barkley talking him up from both sides.  Another aspect I haven't seen mentioned is Punahou being a big feeder school for SC academically.  You have to believe that provides some level of necessary comfort, although not to the degree of BYU where it acted as almost a negative, that runs contrary to the stark newness of ND.  

From a depth standpoint, he could easily line-up inside or strongside, so he would be the primary back-up to either Mike Morgan or Malcolm Smith.  He would push for time his first year and play situationally, which would be ideal for his development.  Hard to argue against this process when SC has produced LBs like Groots, Lofa, Rivers, Rey, Cush, Kaluka, and Clay in recent years.

ESPN Ranks USC #2 All-Time in Prestige Rankings; #1 During the BCS Era

From ESPN.com:

2. USC Trojans
Total points: 1,897
Positives: With 513 points in 11 seasons (almost 100 more than its nearest competitor), the Trojans have been the undisputed king of the BCS era. USC's special 2004 season accounted for 118 points, which is one point shy of '93 Florida State's Prestige Rankings season record. It has enjoyed the services of an astounding 17 consensus All-Americans in the last seven seasons. USC has finished in the top 3 in annual Prestige Points in each of those seven seasons. USC also is the top-scoring program in the 1970s and is tied with Notre Dame and Ohio State for the most all-time Heisman winners with seven.
Negatives: It's amazing how USC's recent success has overshadowed its mediocrity in the 1990s. The Trojans didn't enjoy a single 10-win season between 1989 and 2001. It is barely over .500 (37-35) in the last five years of that stretch before Pete Carroll came to town. If you look at just the '90s, USC has fewer Prestige Points than schools like Syracuse, Wisconsin and BYU. USC was also docked for minus-29 points on our probation scoring system. 
Through the decades: Through 1958: 8th | 1968: 5th | 1978: 3rd | 1988: 3rd | 1998: 5th
Did you know? If you altered our points system such that it did not include any points for best conference records or conference title game bonuses, USC would edge Oklahoma for the top spot by 11 points.

If only Reggie didn't lateral... I kid.  

Houston's Aubrey Coleman Steps on Chase Budinger's Face

 

Coleman got ejected and Arizona managed to come back from 12 down to win the game in OT so justice was served to some extent.  Even still, pretty damn cold blooded.