TrojanNYC.com

USC No Longer Recruiting Renardo Sidney

From ESPN.com:

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that Renardo Sidney earned a qualifying SAT score.

But he won't be playing at USC. A source close to the program confirmed that the Trojans are officially no longer recruiting Sidney, who had verbally committed to USC. The decision, according to the source, came from within the administration. UCLA also backed off in its recruitment of the 6-foot-9 power forward out of Fairfax High (Calif.) in a similar fashion, even though there was a strong chance the Bruins were going to land Sidney prior to him committing to USC.

Anyone who read my post the day Renardo committed to SC knows that I'm ecstatic to see us pull out of this race.  This was an absolute disaster to begin with picking up a player that 1) has had a long history of poor work-ethic and attitude towards the game and 2) a significant history of questionable dealings and baggage.  Although I can't confirm any of the stuff I've heard from various sources, let me just say they are nothing short of ridiculous.  Even on the surface, his move to CA with family and relationship with Reebok should automatically throw up red flags.  People can spin it however way they want, it doesn't add up in my book.

Most fans will probably be disappointed by this news, but I am absolutely confident that this is a blessing in disguise.  It's not like Renardo would have led us to a championship, so why risk an NCAA smackdown and/or more negative PR on this kid?  Glad the administration finally came to their senses.

Photo of the Day: Mets Welcome Mark Sanchez to NYC

Mark threw out the ceremonial 1st pitch at Citi-Field today.

USC Dominates 2009 NFL Draft with 11 Players Taken

Final list of players drafted:

1st Round, 5th:  Mark Sanchez, QB - NY Jets

1st Round, 15th:  Brian Cushing, OLB - Houston Texans

1st Round, 26th:  Clay Matthews, OLB - Green Bay Packers

2nd Round, 6th:  Rey Maualuga, ILB - Cincinnati Bengals

2nd Round, 24th:  Fili Moala, DT - Indianapolis Colts

3rd Round, 23rd:  Patrick Turner, WR - Miami Dolphins

4th Round, 4th:  Kaluka Maiava, OLB - Cleveland Browns

4th Round, 17th:  Kyle Moore, DE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

5th Round, 36th:  David Buehler, K - Dallas Cowboys

6th Round, 10th:  Cary Harris, CB - Buffalo Bills

6th Round, 16th:  Kevin Ellison, SS - San Diego Chargers

USC led the way with 11 players taken; Ohio State had the 2nd most with 7 players.  Coach Herm Edwards had this to say about SC:

"If you want to play pro football and you're a young high school athlete, you know going to USC is going to give you the best opportunity system-wise and competitive-wise on the field."

"That's what USC brings to the table. That's why historically, year-after-year you see all these players coming into the league. Do they all make it? No, but you have an opportunity."

Take note recruits ;-).

Xavier Grimble, the Top Rated TE in the Nation, Commits to USC

From LasVegasSun.com:

The nation’s top high school tight end has committed to play football at Southern California.

Bishop Gorman senior-to-be Xavier Grimble, who is rated by recruiting Web site Rivals.com as the nation’s top tight end, said Thursday he picked Southern California over Florida and Oklahoma.

“I liked everything about USC, especially that it was so close to home,” Grimble said.

Xavier is currently rated the top TE in the nation.  This is a great pick-up for SC because it not only completes the TE class for 2010 with Randal Telfer already on board, but brings balance to the position for the incoming class.  Whereas Randal Telfer is more an athletic receiving TE that will stretch defenses, Xavier brings prototypical size and athleticism to be either a dominating blocker or possession tight-end.

With the commitment, Christian Thomas, the 2nd rated TE in the nation, is likely the odd man out.  This should be positive news for UCLA as they will now likely be the favorite to pick up Thomas.  It's still a long time till signing day, so I wouldn't rule Thomas completely out just yet.  Lot of things can happen.

2009 USC Football Schedule Poster: Taylor Mays Front & Center

Good stuff.  Probably one of the better posters I've seen from the Athletic Dept. over the years.  Click to expand.

Video: Nick Young Crossing Up O.J. Mayo

Nice little hesitation crossover and jam.

Aaron Corp Named Starter for The Huddle

photo from uscripsit.com

From LATimes.com:

Sophomore Aaron Corp has been named USC's starting quarterback for Saturday's scrimmage and will keep the role throughout the summer and into training camp, Coach Pete Carroll said today.

Carroll said on his website that Corp was in the lead to replace Mark Sanchez, an edge the former Orange Lutheran High star held over freshman Matt Barkley and junior Mitch Mustain throughout spring practice.

No surprise here. As well as Matt's played, he's a bit too out-of-control to start at this point.  Even late in his career at Mater Dei, he had habits you knew would cause problems at the next level like trying to rely too much on his arm and taking on the gunslinger mentality.

This of course is no slight against Matt since he's clearly much further ahead than any freshman QB we've had in the Pete Carroll era, but when you line him up against Aaron, who has played steady and consistent without committing any errors, you have to give the nod to Aaron.  The fact is, you really don't need to play out of your mind as the QB of SC; you simply need to manage the game and not commit momentum-changing turnovers.  Aaron fits that mold.

Not saying Aaron is poised to take us to the NC, but for now, in the current situation, he is the best candidate to lead the offense.

Photo of the Day: Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga, and Clay Matthews on Cover of Sports Illustrated

H/T to LATimes.com.

Lamont "MoMo" Jones Commits/Signs with USC; Mamadou Diarra and Donte Smith Expected to Leave Team

From LATimes.com:

Lamont Jones of Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy signed a letter of intent Sunday to play for USC, making the Trojans' point guard position stronger, according to a source familiar with the program.

Nice to see SC pick up a NYC point guard and a player out of Oak Hill.  Lamont is a 4-star prospect and ranked the #11 PG in the nation.

In other basketball news:

USC will lose two players off its current roster, as center Mamadou Diarra is expected to turn pro and play in Europe and guard Donte Smith is expected to transfer.

No surprise on Donte Smith since he pretty much has no future at SC; Mamadou on the otherhand is a complete surprise.  Both are hardly losses since they never really got meaningful PT.

JUCO Lineman Brice Schwab Commits to USC

From ESPN.com:

A 6-foot-7, 310-pound offensive tackle, Brice Schwab of Palomar CC, Calif., has committed to Southern California, ESPN's JC Shurburtt reports. 

Originally from Moniteau (West Sunbury, Pa.), Schwab is also holding scholarship offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, South Carolina, Southern Mississippi and Washington. 

Schwab becomes the 5th pledge for the Trojans. A non-qualifier out of high school, he expects to be a December graduate and have three years to play two.

That's two 6'7 300lb+ commitments in the past week.