For over two years now, a cloud has hung over USC's head through the stalemate of the NCAA's investigation into allegations that former star tailback and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush accepted cash and gifts against NCAA rules. Obviously some sort of punishment against USC would be leveled if the NCAA found truth in the allegations.Future unrest is usually trouble on the recruiting trail, just ask Penn State how much it has to answer to endless talk of Joe Paterno's retirement or dismissal. In spite of that, and of little surprise given Pete Carroll's ability to pitch, USC keeps smoking along on the recruiting trail.
They added Rivals.com's top player, quarterback Matt Barkley, this spring. Since then they've assembled a class of 15 players solid enough to rank second on Rivals.com's initial recruiting rankings and just behind Ohio State which already had 20+ commitments. If form holds it's another top five, maybe even No. 1 class.
Everyone knows USC is going to take some kind of hit from the NCAA, but the way high profile recruits keep arriving sends the message they're not worried about those pending sanctions.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Perhaps the new recruits aren't concerned about the NCAA because a new house or new car is pretty good compensation.
When all of the dust settles, I am not so sure that USC will be dinged to any great degree over the Bush issues. These were not created by him, but by others. He seemed to be forced into a position to help bail out others, knowing that once he signed he would be able to do so. He had no control of what his step father and these other shaddy folks were up to. They saw a big meal ticket. They left Bush holding the bag to clean up the mess.
The pimped out car might be the problem that will ultimately be the issue.
Trojan football players will need to make a decision to prove themselves on the field, instead of thinking that the media has painted these great progam at SC and all there opponents would give-up and to the mighty trojans once they stepped on the field. . I was a bit disapponted with the lack of aggressive playing on the field and that Dumb-struck feeling that the players showed when they where behind to a team that did not match-up with the physical talent. But had a desire to win. ( STANFORD) . If I was a part of the staff- I would remind them . That they are responsible for themselves as a person and a team... Set your personel goals as well as your team goals.
There is a saying..
I know what you did yesterday...
What can you do for me today.....
Speaking of Stanford, this year there's an awesome USC train trip going up to the game! We'll be taking the Coast Starlight up the coast to Stanford, and it's a total luxury, affordable, first class trip! So much fun. Check it out http://usctrain.org
Fight on!