Should USC players transfer to increase draft stock?
by Dan Kadar on Jun 11, 2010 1:12 PM EDT
in 2011 NFL Draft
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PrintThis official word has come out that Southern California football is going to lose postseason eligibility for two years and 30 scholarships over three years.
That also means that juniors and seniors can transfer and not have to sit out a year. Other universities are also allowed to court USC's players.
The latter part of that is a big deal. That means nothing could, say, Rick Neuheisel of UCLA from contacting linebacker Chris Galippo and asking him to play for the Bruins.
But should USC players leave their current team to join another in hopes of becoming a more attractive pick in the NFL Draft? I think so.
If the sole purpose of college is to better prepare you for future employment, players should exercise this option and showcase themselves as much as possible.
After all, it's not too gross of an assumption to say most USC players would prefer to play in the NFL than go into "regular" work.
Is the public relations degree that junior defensive tackle Jurrell Casey is studying for any better from USC or from UCLA? It's probably a wash. But would UCLA take one of the best defensive tackles in the nation? Absolutely.
It should also be noted that these players weren't recruited by current USC head coach Lane Kiffin.
Most teams – particularly non-BCS ones – keep at least one scholarship open in case a star player slips through the cracks. In the case of USC, several blue chip players could slip through their NCAA-sanctioned sinkhole.
Along with Galippo and Casey, those players are wide receiver Ronald Johnson (senior), tight end Blake Ayles (junior) running backs Allen Bradford (senior) and C.J. Gable (senior), offensive tackle Tyron Smith (junior), guards Butch Lewis (senior) and Zack Heberer (senior), end Malik Jackson (junior), outside linebackers Michael Morgan (senior), Malcolm Smith (senior) and Shane Horton (junior), cornerbacks Shareece Wright (senior) and T.J. Bryant (junior).
Most non-BCS teams would love to have any of those players. What they can offer them is up to two extra games played – a conference title game and bowl game.
As we've seen in the past, most obviously with JaMarcus Russell, a bowl game can dramatically alter a player's NFL Draft stock. Considering most of these Trojans would like more than anything to be pros, they shouldn't turn down the opportunity.
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Can't see how it would improve their draft stock......
USC is still gonna play football games.
Unless they go to they’re going to Texas, Florida, Oklahoma or Alabama…what’s the point? Any scout worth the name on his contract will know what’s what from USC.
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit
I don’t think it’s just the NCAA think about coach carrol is gone that in itself is a huge huge loss then 1 less game tape 1 less chance to prove yourself in a big game i would get while the gettins good
by sowhatifitisasportste on Jun 11, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
what "gettins are good"?
So they’re gonna transfer to an already built and stacked team? That’s how they get an extra game, go to a good team already. So how are they gonna play?
Tennessee wasn’t exactly just some run of the mill team with no picks. Hardesty, Berry and Big Dan Williams were all fairly high picks weren’t they? 3 of the better prospects at their position.
Carrol go out cuz he knew what was gonna happen. I can’t see how Kiffen was completely clueless to something that basically everyone knew was eventually gonna happen, tho maybe not the repercussions.
They still have Monte Kiffen too, possibly THE best DC in college football given all his NFL experience.
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 11, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
It shouldn’t be about where they play school, should it?
The point is that if a guy transfers to a half-decent team, he’ll get a bowl game to show himself. If the team is good, he’ll get to play in a conference title game and a bowl. Two games of top play could be huge. Like I alluded to in the post, was JaMarcus Russell the first pick in the draft prior to that game against Notre Dame? Probably not.
Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.
Russel was the #1 pick cuz the Raiders were picking #1
tho its really not like everyone and their mother had their jaws dropped on the floor after his offseason workouts. He had em all for a loop.
Just seems like a waste of time. team will already have an idea on who’s who after the initial 11 games. 1-2 extra games?
If we’re talking about a conference champion, or a team going to one of the big BCS bowls…aren’t those teams stacked right now anyway?
How exactly are they gonna showcase themselves?
I guess the ones that should take advantage are not Jurrell Casey or Chris Gallipo, the ones that should do it are the backups since USC has over recruit in the past for competition.
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 11, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I like how everyone is now a past expert on JaMarcus Russell. The fact is, the game against Notre Dame exponentially helped him, regardless of who picked him.
I just think another player could do the same. So why wouldn’t some fringe national title team like Oregon, Arkansas, Iowa or Oklahoma go after any of those guys telling them they could get an extra two games in? All of those teams aren’t “stacked” at every single position.
Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.
exactly. who was picking #1 was irrelevant. Up until that point, his name wasn’t even talked about that much as a first rounder but then the bowl game and the combine improved the stock.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Just like Josh Freeman? What bowl game did he use?
Freeman wasn’t a first rounder. How’d he vault into it? The Combine and pro days, that’s how.
Russel was no different, except he played at LSU. If you go and take a gander at his junior year stats, amazing is that he had a 67.8% completion, which judging by Russell now, must’ve been all on shovel passes.
How is saying any of this being a past expert on Russell? Did he not blow up the combine and pro day?
Aren’t we talking about the Raiders?? The RAIDERS??? How exactly is the team picking #1 irrelevant, if we’re talking about the friggin Raiders?
Did their suddenly “competant” drafting in 2010 make everyone forget about the past decade or so where Al Davis has been completely incompetent at drafting 40 times and big armed QB’s?
I guess it did.
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 11, 2010 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re not this stupid. There have been players who’ve blown up the combine and not vaulted their stock. Look at Bruce Campbell. And then there have been players who had a huge bowl game, providing them hype that increased their combine impact. Russell was one of those player, you literally didn’t hear anything about him until his game against ND. The nation was to busy talking about Brady Quinn.
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jun 14, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Seriously? Bruce Campbell?
Everyone obviously knew all about Bruce Campbell…or maybe they didn’t since he’s only played in 17 games in his career.
Who cares what “the nation” is talking about. You really don’t think Russell was on any team’s radar? The nation is always talking about Notre Dame..what the hell does that have to do with anything.
LSU was a great team that year..weren’t they? Maybe to those that don’t follow college football you never heard of Russell, but I doubt he wasn’t on the radar of anyone.
Why are people completely obvious to the fact the RAIDERS HAD THE #1 PICK THAT YEAR!!!!
You think Russell is the #1 pick for a normal organization? You can’t be that stupid….
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 14, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet Mustain is the first to go.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jun 11, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I agree FB
A single bowl game doesnt make up the difference between playing a SC and most other large programs. Fact is SC is still going to having a coach that uses pro style offensive sets, and a defense with blue chip players and yeah like FB mentions below some guy named Monte running the D
IMO
Do you guys think Kiffin will leave after this season in the wake of this mess? USC won’t be a powerhouse anymore.
Even with those punishments
USC is still going to be at least a 9-10 win team. Nobody except for Ohio State and Florida(and now Bama) have the number of recruits wanting to play there. Will it slow down their recruiting for the next two years? Sure, I can’t see it staying the same. But unless the incomers are 5 stars, they won’t be playing much at a school with that much talent their first year anyway.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
He would have to be smoking crack to leave
His expectations just went from the clouds to ground level. They should pay me to not appear in a bowl game I could deliver that guaranteed
IMO
It could hurt in the long run if the pac 10 adds good teams and USC falls far behind because of 15 yearly scholarships.
Plus they will get in trouble again for the Joe McKnight incident.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jun 11, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
no way
this is almost a no-lose situation for USC. the fact is that, despite all the bravado garrett is spewing, he fully expected some serious sanctions. this is why carroll left town and why they hired kiffin. seemed stupid at the time, but seems brilliant in retrospective. consider:
- they’re now on a 2 year postseason ban
- if kiffin tanks, whatever. he was hamstrung and he takes them through the probationary years until they can hire someone better.
- if kiffin succeeds, bonus. they can keep him and hope he keeps it up through the probation and beyond.
the only risk is that he might get hit with one of those stupid minor violations he racked up at Tennessee, which wouldn’t be a good thing for a program on probation. their compliance department will be in his shorts.
-
by georgiablue on Jun 12, 2010 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
T.J Bryant should come play free safety at Auburn
Dark horse title team with just a few holes on defense. If Cam Newton is who I think he has the potential to be, we will have the most explosive offense in the SEC West, if not SEC.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Not a title team, but could be a dark horse top 10 or 15. I’m not sold on the QB but he should be a lot better than Todd.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jun 11, 2010 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Have
To wait till the season for the title thing. Right now its just opinion on my part. Nobody is sold on Newton, I’m not trying to overhype him or anything, but the guy has the physical and team tools to win the Heisman.
Todd was pretty good, he set the record at Auburn for TD passes, but he wasn’t a playmaker by any means. Couldn’t run, and his experience helped him more than anything being a fifth year senior. But Newton could potentially be levels ahead of him
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Now you really sound like a homer and I don’t know if I can take you seriously when talking about Auburn. Todd was bad.
You all are recruiting great though especially at DE and RB.
Who is your starting RB this year? Dyer?
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jun 14, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Say What?
He was pretty good because of his experience in the system and was fairly intelligent. He wasn’t a playmaker at all, yeah, I agree. He couldn’t throw the ball more than 45 yards either.
Yeah, I’m excited about our incoming class and what we have coming up for the future. We have elite recruiters, Trooper Taylor is the man. Ladarius Owens could make an impact freshman year. He’s a hybrid DE/LB with a ton of upside and speed.
Starting running back right now is Mario Fannin, moving from H-Back, where he played relatively well last year. He is a senior with a chip on his shoulder who could have a similar year to Tate with the way our offensive line is looking. Dyer is a beast and will probably contribute this season, especially later in the year when he gets his feet under him. We have a lot of depth with Donte Ayocock and Onterio McCaleb, who really impressed as a freshman. McCaleb has so much perimeter speed he will get the ball in creative ways.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Who is the guy that played Wildcat QB?
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jun 16, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Kodi Burns
He played QB his first two years, and last year changed to receiver/wildcat QB. He doesn’t see the field much, but he is probably my favorite player on the roster.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Dan has a good point. But if I’m a defensive player, I’d probably take tutelage from Monte Kiffin over one to two more games to showcase my skills.
Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams came into his senior year with a UDFA grade from one of the national scouting services, yet he turned into a 1st round pick under Kiffin.
It’s hard to know how much credit for that should go to Monte, and some Vols players did go in the opposite direction (Rico McCoy, for example). But I’d like my odds playing under one of the greatest defensive minds in the country…and a guy who can sell me to all of his contacts around the NFL.
With USC’s season ending around Thanksgiving, it is hard to imagine that top players who get a call from either good programs or from elite programs with the possibility (promise) of being starters not considering going to a Miami or LSU. USC has got some of the best players in college football, they will want to consider all of their options & I would be surprised if none of them switched schools
I think anyone that transfers will likely go because they came to play for Carrol and he’s gone, and maybe they could start somewhere instead of ride the bench for their junior year.
The only starters I think would leave would do it over the coach change, and go to a coach they really liked before they chose Carrol. I don’t know the depth chart, but some Junior or seniors that are backups could go somewhere else to start. Not losing a year makes that a much easier decision, and USC not being able to block them.
Ha! Good one. They will get killed by Oregon.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jun 14, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
Oregon is currently my Pac 10 pick.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
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