Gardner Still Rated 4 Star in New Rivals 100
I find it strange the Gardner hasn't been awarded a fifth star considering that he is the #1 QB in the country. He essentially stayed at the same spot(I think he was #53 overall in the previous rivals 100), with Heaps 1 spot behind Devin. Hopefully he'll get the fifth star when the final edition of the rivals 100 is released
http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=2369
October 14th, 2009 at 9:46 AM ^
Chad Henne. That being said, his sophoomore year he suffered from a severe case of nomorebraylonitis.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:58 AM ^
Derek Anderson has been suffering from the same affliction as of late. Symptoms include two completions out of 17 attempts and an interception.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:07 AM ^
me. I don't think there have been many true sophs starting at QB in B10 recently.
Henne
Juice Williams
Zak Kustok
Drew Tate
Do redshirt freshmen count as the same thing? Adam Weber, Kellen Lewis, B. Bollinger
Not sure if Kyle Orton redshired, but he started three years
Mike Kafka started as a redshirt freshman few games (doesn't really count, I suppose) May be some others out there that I'm not thinking of. Regardless, it's rare that the young QB tears it up.
Fair assessments of Pryor probably can't start until next year.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:44 AM ^
worry too much about Gardner not getting a 5th star. He'll get it in 6 years when Wolfman's 2010 McBean ratings debut.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:20 AM ^
I could give less than a rats ass. Any coach would want him.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:46 AM ^
exactly, most of the people who give opinions on recruiting are basing it on 2nd hand info obtained from who knows where and a little bit of video. These folks are our gurus, they may be informed but it doesn't make them astute.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:27 AM ^
if Seantral signs with Southern Cal, and if the top 3 positions don't change, they'll have #1, #2, and #3 ranked players. Plus Seastrunk and Powell at #4 and #5 are still looking at them, and Powell heavily conisidering them, it seems. Whoo-doggee, that's killing it at the top end. No sign of this run by USC ending, g'dammit ...
October 14th, 2009 at 9:49 AM ^
Two words...Reggie Bush. If you can throw that kind of money at kids and not get caught, of course you're gonna get high picks.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:26 AM ^
I don't think $500 handshakes are what's going on here. Bush case aside (and let's remember, the implication there is that a would-be agent and sports marketing company are guilty along with the Bushes ... lack of institutional control is about all 'SC will get dinged for, if they get dinged), that program has some powerful recruiting tools:
Tradition (How many Heisman winners now? National Championships? Top 5 finishes? Rose Bowl appearances? Conference Championships?)
They get a ton of players drafted (self-perpetuating lure there)
They play in spotlight games OOC (Va Tech, OSU, Bama, etc.)
Carroll can sell they will be in the title hunt every year
Great weather in SoCal
Celebs like Snoop Dog come to practice
The cheerleaders ('nuf said), and I suspect a pretty nice looking female population on campus (certainly enough in the metro area)
Huge in-state talent base
Plenty of media coverage
Perception that they're the best (every kid wants to be offered by SC these days)
and on and on ...
Again, I'm not a Trojan fan, but if I were a top HS player, I know 'SC would be high on my list.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:39 AM ^
Even with all those advantages, it's stil mind-boggling that USC can get so many superstud 5-star recruits to come out and sit on the bench until they are redshirt sophomores or even fourth year juniors and not get disgruntled about it. Immediate playing time is such a big selling point for kids nowadays.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:14 AM ^
Like you said, they are stockpiling 5 star recruits, but only so many get to see the field. As a star, you don't get to shine unless you are making plays on the field. Either Carroll's selling strategy is convincing or...
October 14th, 2009 at 11:24 AM ^
USC, I don't think. Same thing going on at programs like Florida, Texas, etc. Loaded every year with top classes. Playing time is important, but there seems to be other criteria top players are interested in, too.
Plus at USC, if you're good enough, you don't have to sit. See Ronald Johnson, Taylor Mays, Joe McKnight, et al ... I think Carroll is selling some of this: "You think you're the best? I have an opportunity for you to prove it."
October 14th, 2009 at 11:27 AM ^
It's the same thing with Rodriguez, and just as many other coaches around the country. Competition will bring out the best in your players. I had the chance to watch a USC practice a few years ago, and you can really see why they're so good.
Premium players love that kind of environment where they can A. Prove they're the best, and B. Go up against the best to get better.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:37 AM ^
you don't happen to be Snoop, do you?
Agreed with your thoughts. It seems a certain type of athlete is wired that way (not all obviously), has no fear of competition, and wants to prove he or she is the best. If in this case the NFL is the end game for this type of kid, Carroll has some pretty attractive things to offer.