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Markeith Ambles Rumors False... For Now

From ESPN.com:

According to sources within the Southern California program, the Trojans did not pull the scholarship offer to Under Armour All-American receiver Markeith Ambles (McDonough, Ga./Henry County), putting an end to stories circulating that USC was backing off Ambles.

Henry County head coach Mike Rozier said Tuesday that the rumors were just that … rumors. Rozier said USC assistant Todd McNair had spent two hours at the school checking up on Ambles last Friday, and that Ambles was still scheduled to take an unofficial visit to USC in early June. Rozier also added that he and Ambles both were scheduled to attend the USC Rising Stars Camp on June 24-25 in Los Angeles.

Wrote on Tuesday about rumors going around that SC and Florida had pulled their scholarship offers from Markeith Ambles.  Still not sure if I believe the report above.  The sources saying SC didn't pull the scholarship offer means little since schools rarely pull offers anyways - even when they stop recruiting players.  The head coach's word also means little since he has a vested interest in keeping Ambles' recruiting record clean.

The truth will come out in whether Markeith actually trips out to SC for an unofficial plus the RSC camp. We'll just have to wait and see...

USC vs. SEC: Someone Needs to Make It Happen

From ESPN.com:

The earliest it could happen, according to USC's senior associate athletic director, Steve Lopes -- the man charged with the Trojans' football scheduling -- is 2015.

Again, nuts.

Oh, there have been conversations, but nothing went very far. And because scheduling is sensitive and complicated, no one wanted to talk on the record about specific potential matchups that fell by the wayside.

"We've talked to a lot, if not all, of the SEC schools about playing in the future," Lopes said. "I can't get into who said yes and who said no, but we have conversations with a lot of schools. Scheduling is a hard thing because sometimes you want to play each other but it doesn't work out from a timing standpoint."

USC is 4-0 vs. the SEC under coach Pete Carroll. The Trojans outscored Auburn and Arkansas 167-38 in those home-and-home matchups, including a 23-zip win at then-No. 6 Auburn in 2003 and a 50-14 bludgeoning of the eventual SEC West Division champion Razorbacks in 2006. 

Can you imagine a USC vs. LSU home-and-home match-up?  The hype leading up to the game would be unbelievable.  Retribution is in order for the hilarious billboard LSU fans put up "nearby" campus (above), which 99% of SC students failed to see - even after searching for it.  It must have been the most confusing billboard to all the Mexican immigrants living in the area.  Also, you can't forget the infamous reaction to the Stanford loss and the onslaught of trash talk that soon followed.

I really love them Cajun fans partly because 1) they are borderline insane and 2) back in '07 their coach called one of the balsiest play-calls I've ever seen.

Going back to the original topic, it's encouraging that there have been at least talks.  I find it hard to believe that the best we could do for the next 5 years is Syracuse, Boston College, and Hawaii.  That is just awful.

Rumor: Markeith Ambles No Longer Has Offer from USC?

Wow.  Big rumor going around that SC and Florida have pulled their offers from Markeith Ambles due to off-the-field issues.  Whatever went down must have been pretty big to have the two leading schools back out of the recruiting race.

Very disappointing news since I thought Markeith was the best WR prospect we've offered so far in the 2010 class.

Former USC '09 Commit, Chris Metcalf, Signs with Nevada

From RGJ.com:

A linebacker who gave a verbal commitment to USC and was recruited by a half dozen major programs has ended up at Nevada.

Chris Metcalf, a 6-foot-2, 183-pound outside linebacker from Compton (Calif.) High has signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Wolf Pack, ESPN.com is reporting.

Rivals.com ranks Metcalf the nation's 28th best outside linebacker and lists him as a three-star recruit who also received offers from Tennessee, Cal, Arizona State, Arizona and Colorado. Oregon was also in on him, according to ESPN.

ESPN.com blogger Greg Biggins reported that Metcalf verbally committed to USC last summer, but USC did not send him a letter of intent during the week of signing day, reportedly because of questions about academics.

Good for Chris that he signed somewhere; almost year-in and year-out you see players in similar situations fade into obscurity (e.g. the infamous Randy Estes). Nevada will be a much better fit for Chris since his tweener status won't be as much of an impediment at the mid-major level.  That might sound like an insult, but success in college is really about fit and Chris wasn't going to see PT at SC behind guys like Frankie Telfort, Jawanza Starling, and Byron Moore.  Wish nothing but the best for Chris, he never wavered on his commitment to SC so he has my support.

Photo of the Day: Mark Sanchez Does GQ Photo Shoot - Unafraid of the Curse?

GQ hasn't been all that good to recent SC superstars.  You got Reggie who did two shoots and Matt Leinart who also posed for the mag; both players obviously haven't lived up to their potential yet.  But at the end of the day, how can you hate on a man who gets to pose with a supermodel (Hilary Rhoda)? According to New York mag, Dirty and Hilary have stayed in contact, so you know Dirty is just laughing at the haters.

President Obama Takes a Jab at Notre Dame Football

From Rivals.com:

After giving the commencement speech at Notre Dame, Obama spoke at an Indianapolis fundraiser Sunday night for the Democratic National Committee. He began his remarks by joking that he told The Rev. John Jenkins, the university president, that the controversy surrounding his campus appearance “paled in comparison to what to do about the football team.”

The Fighting Irish had records of 3-9 and 7-6 the past two seasons—the most losses at the school in a two-year period—and haven’t won a national championship since 1988.

“That’s an issue we may not resolve within my four years,” Obama said.

“Eight,” shouted someone from the audience.

“All right, well, maybe in eight we might get it done,” Obama said.

Gotta follow up yesterday's post with a nice dig.

Video: Loyola RB Anthony Barr Junior Highlights

Find more videos like this on PrepTicket

I'm going to make the admission: I think Anthony Barr is the best offensive player in the state of CA for 2010.  It's an admission because the kid is considered a major ND lean.  Since last season, I've considered Anthony the top power back in the state over Malcolm Jones, who many considered to be at the top of the list, but now I'm going to go out on a limb and say he's the top offensive player.  Rivals is snoozing right now rating him a 4-star, although to their credit they did move him up to #20 in the latest ranking.

The immediate comparison that comes to mind is Adrian Peterson.  They both have the tall upright running style with the breakaway speed.  AD was obviously more dominant coming out of HS, but Anthony definitely has elite talent.  He's much more of a complete back at this point compared to D.J. Morgan (the top rated RB in CA) who is committed to SC.

Birmingham RB Trajuan Briggs Commits to USC

From WeAreSC.com:

“It came down to two things for me,” Briggs said. “One was location, I wanted to stay close to home and USC is in my backyard. The other is the competition at SC. USC has so much talent and that’s something I thrive on.

“They have some good running backs but I’m looking forward to competing against them. I think that’s how you become better and that’s important to me. I’m coming in with a hungry attitude and ready to bring it when I get there.”

Nice pick-up, but we'll see if this sticks with SC still recruiting some high-profile backs like Lache Seastrunk.  Doesn't surprise me that Cal was on him hard since he fits the mold of the shifty and tough RBs they've had in recent years with Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett.  With D.J. Morgan being the gamebreaker type of back in this class, Trajuan will fill depth as an every-down type of guy. Can never have too many of those.

New Rivals100: Ronald Powell Rated 5-Star; Demetrius Wright Enters Top 250

From Rivals.com:

12.  Ronald Powell - 5 Star
17.  Robert Woods - 4 Star
18.  D.J. Morgan - 4 Star
20.  Anthony Barr - 4 Star
24.  Xavier Grimble - 4 Star
27.  Dillon Baxter - 4 Star
32.  Malcolm Jones - 4 Star
38.  Markeith Ambles - 4 Star
41.  Brennan Clay - 4 Star
45.  Tony Jefferson - 4 Star
54.  Sean Parker - 4 Star
62.  Christian Thomas - 4 Star
70.  Jake Matthews - 4 Star
89.  Demarco Cobbs - 4 Star
102.  Demetrius Wright - 4 Star

Bold = Committed

Rivals just released their updated top 250 ranking.  Here are some thoughts:

- Ronald Powell moved up one spot and earned himself a 5th star, which I guess is deserved simply on his potential alone.

- Robert Woods moved into the top 20 which I don't understand.  Am I the only person that thinks there's too much hype behind this kid?  I personally think he's a fringe top 50 player.  Maybe I just don't see it.  To top it off, Woods moved up while Markeith Ambles dropped out of the top 30.  I'll take Ambles over Woods any day.

- Still not sold on current commit D.J. Morgan as a top 20 player.  No doubt he shows flashes of brilliance, but I don't know if he has the consistency.  Will have to wait and see.

- In the last ranking I commented on Malcolm Jones being too high at #11 so I definitely agree with him dropping down to #32.  He should be out of the top 50.

- Rivals keeps sleeping on Sean Parker, but I guess I can understand why since he's not a camp type of player and at this point that has the most weight.

- Demetrius Wright, who's been a hot name lately, finally moved into the top 250 debuting at #102.  Kid will continue to move up.  Hope SC plays this one hard.

- This year's QB class is BAD.

USC Professor Dr. Todd Boyd and Sonny Vacarro Debate Former SC Recruit Jeremy Tyler's Decision to Drop Out of High School and Head for Europe

Never a good sign when you start a debate by being defensive.  How parents, who actually care for their children and not their potential worth, can trust a slimy guy like Sonny is beyond me.

With that said, I actually side with Sonny in allowing players to drop out of high school and pursue a professional career.  True elite players are more than capable of making the jump to the pros.  Before the 1-year rule came into effect, the success rate of high school players making it in the NBA was very high. People of course say, "Oh but you're just thinking about LeBron James; what about all the players that didn't make it?"  To that I ask, "Which players?"  Yeah, of course you have your Korleone Young's, but there were a LOT more success stories (i.e. players that stuck in the NBA) than not.

As for Todd Boyd's argument of developing as a person, I personally believe there is a lot more growth opportunity as a person playing pro-ball in Europe than your Senior year in HS + 1st year in college. College is a great place to grow into an adult if you are a normal kid, but these elite athletes 1) rarely stay in school beyond 2 years and 2) are put on a pedestal from day one and treated like kings. Is that the valuable "developing" experience than Professor Boyd is talking about?

Marcos Bretton makes a good point about agents inevitably taking advantage of kids, but just like Korleone's story provided a nice reality check to HS players, the first kid to jump to Europe and fail miserably will do the same; even the teams that will likely try to recruit as many U.S. players as possible will temper their enthusiasm.  It'll naturally calibrate itself.