USC Now mailbag: Sarkisian’s recruiting philosophy and season prediction

Coaches like Chip Kelly, Todd Graham and Chris Petersen seem to be willing to bring in a certain type of player, which Petersen calls “Our kind of guy.” Do you think USC would ever bring in a coach that has this kind of philosophy?

-- Peter

Each coach has a recruiting philosophy, including USC’s Steve Sarkisian. He does not say he is looking for “our kind of guy” as Petersen does, but he often repeats phrases when describing the kinds of players he recruits.

Sarkisian said on signing day that he recruited “taller, longer and rangier” players.

He also said California players are a priority and that he recruited out-of-state players who he thought could be future first-round NFL draft picks.

I saw your story on how so-called experts have USC forecasted to go to the College Football Playoff next year. I think that is comical. These people don’t realize that Steve Sarkisian will screw that all up. You can’t go to the College Football Playoff when you get out-coached in nearly every game.

-- Ty Tratar

It is far too soon to predict USC in the College Football Playoff in 2015.

Fifth-year senior quarterback Cody Kessler returns, but the Trojans must replace receiver Nelson Agholor and tailback Javorius Allen.

On defense they lost Leonard Williams and linebacker Hayes Pullard, who led the team in tackles the last two seasons.

USC struggled late in games last season and we won’t know if they learned how to finish in the fourth quarter until they play next season.

What ever happened to Junior Pomee?

---Steve Curry, @scurryn

Pomee played last season at Riverside City College.

He told USCFootball.com in November that Sarkisian was recruiting him to return to USC.

He last played for the Trojans as a redshirt freshman in 2012.

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