USC’s Efforts Pay Dividends on Defense

With a third consecutive national title in reach next season, USC launched an offensive to attract defensive players in its 2005 recruiting class.

The effort paid off Wednesday when 14 players committed to the Trojans on the first day that high school seniors could sign national letters of intent. The 14, along with three players already enrolled for the spring semester, gave the Trojans a class that was ranked in the top three nationally by several recruiting services.

“It’s going to be another all-star cast coming in,” junior running back LenDale White said. “They’re probably going to jump in and do it right away, just like we’ve always been doing.”

For the fourth year in a row, USC extended its national reach and pulled in select players from five states other than California.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez of Mission Viejo High and receiver Patrick Turner of Nashville, regarded as the top players at their positions, lead a class that includes at least 10 players who are expected to play defense.

USC, which led the nation in rushing defense and turnover margin last season, canvassed the nation for players who could help replace All-American tackles Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson and All-American linebackers Matt Grootegoed and Lofa Tatupu.

The Trojans signed four linebackers, three defensive linemen and three defensive backs on Wednesday.

“This is the most aggressive, maybe the most competitive group of guys we’ve brought in,” Carroll said.

Carroll, who is also the Trojans’ defensive coordinator, said he was most excited about a group of linebackers that includes Rey Maualuga of Eureka, Calif., Luthur Brown of Lakewood High, Brian Cushing of Park Ridge, N.Y., and Kaluka Maiava of Wailuku, Hawaii.

Defensive linemen Walker Lee Ashley of Eden Prairie, Minn., Kyle Moore of Kathleen, Ga., and Averell Spicer of Rancho Cucamonga High and defensive backs Kevin Thomas of Oxnard Rio Mesa High, Will Harris of Covina Charter Oak and Cary Harris of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame are other players expected to challenge for playing time.

“It’s an amazing defensive group of athletes,” said Allen Wallace, national recruiting editor for Scout.com and publisher of SuperPrep magazine. “It’s notable because so many come from so far away.”

USC lost out on its pursuit of safety Reggie Smith, an Oklahoma native who signed with Oklahoma, and Long Beach Poly receiver DeSean Jackson, who chose California.

For the second year in a row, USC’s class also is devoid of a running back. Last year, the Trojans targeted Adrian Peterson, who chose Oklahoma. This year, Jason Gwaltney of Long Island, N.Y., chose West Virginia.

Carroll said Michael Coleman, who played multiple positions at San Bernardino Arroyo Valley High and is already attending classes at USC, would play running back during spring practice, which begins March 6.

Nick Howell of Fresno, the son of former USC All-American Pat Howell, is the only offensive lineman in the class. Lineman Thomas Herring, who signed last year but did not enroll, will switch from defense to offense.

Carroll credited Sanchez, who made a commitment to USC in July, for rallying other players to sign with USC, much like offensive lineman Jeff Byers did last year.

Carroll also acknowledged receivers coach Lane Kiffin, who coordinated the Trojans’ recruiting effort after Ed Orgeron left to become coach at Mississippi after the Orange Bowl. Carroll said Wednesday that Kiffin is the new recruiting coordinator.

Orange Lutheran kicker Troy Van Blarcom, who had committed to the Trojans, did not sign a letter of intent Wednesday, but is expected to enroll in the fall, Carroll said.