OT: USC's Class Continuing to Implode

Submitted by SMJenkins3 on

A little off topic, but since we all love rejoicing in USC's troubles, it looks like their recruiting class is continuing to implode as signing day approaches. 

It sounds like Jalen Ramsey has decommitted from USC, and will sign with FSU.  It also sounds like Jason Hatcher has decommitted and will sign with Kentucky. There are also rumors that Torrodney Prevot may decommit as well. 

That would be three players lost today (bringing their total number of commits down to just 11). I know they have been holding out hope for Vanderdoes, but that's not happening.

The info is available in various places including here: http://usc.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1468661 and here http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/usc/forums/_/trojan-family ($)

Couldn't happen to a nicer coach. 

 

Edit: There are now some twitter rumors that Nico Falah might also decommit.  The hits just keep on coming. 

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MaizeNBlueTexan

February 5th, 2013 at 3:09 PM ^

As a life long Michigan man that understands that troubles for a big program can set it back many many years...I really have just one thing to say to USC.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Joined: 09/13/2011

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panthera leo fututio

February 5th, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^

As a UCLA grad student, I didn't go to any football games this year because Pasadena is far, man. And granted, my loyalties lie elsewhere and there's a big difference between graduate and undergraduate student perceptions, but I get the strong feeling that people on campus give much less of a shit about football here than they might elsewhere, and I have to think that the stadium's location is part of that.

Joined: 09/15/2008

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gopoohgo

February 5th, 2013 at 5:33 PM ^

You don't think it makes a difference in student attendance (who tend to be the most vocal, passionate fans) and gameday atmosphere when your stadium is ~20 miles, or 40 minutes, one-way, from campus?

It has to be great on those recruiting trips, when you go to UCLA, at the Rosebowl, against a ranked Oregon State team, with a stadium that is 60% to capacity.

I love west LA.  UCLA's campus is beautiful.  There is a lot to do within a 10 mile radius.  Unfortunately, the Rose Bowl isn't one of them.

Joined: 09/12/2011

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WolvinLA2

February 5th, 2013 at 6:04 PM ^

It probably affects student attendance somewhat, but when you have a stadium that holds 92k, students are never going to be the bulk of your attendees. Most of your alumni and fans are either in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, or outside of LA so Pasadena is far easier to get in and out of. The tailgating set up is incredible too. Keep in mind that UCLA is in the most expensive part of town, so most alumni, and certainly most all non-alumni fans, don't live there and when you don't live there, the westside is a nightmare to get in and out of. I have a lot of UCLA pals out here, and they all love it.

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stephenrjking

February 5th, 2013 at 4:08 PM ^

Caused quite the stir in the Southland when it came out. After the season ended, radio guys suggested that the poster actually supplied the location that Rick was pointing to by including the object "there."

As in, "The Football Monopoly in Los Angeles is Officially Over There."

Joined: 03/15/2012

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stephenrjking

February 5th, 2013 at 3:58 PM ^

Rick didn't plow the program into the ground; it was already there. He simply failed to pull it out. 

Even the NFL is having a hard time getting a stadium built in the LA area, anywhere. UCLA is just fortunate to not need to share space with USC anymore. Have you ever been to UCLA's campus?

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gopoohgo

February 5th, 2013 at 5:41 PM ^

Yes.  My in-laws lived in Westwood for a year, then moved to the border of Santa Monica and Brentwood.  We visit at least once a year.

I know there is no land to build on unless you obliterate the West LA-VA grounds.  Or spend several billion to try to buyout some of the pricey golf courses.

I'm just saying that it really isn't a selling point having your stadium far off from your campus.

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WolvinLA2

February 5th, 2013 at 6:49 PM ^

I don't think anyone is saying that having it off campus is the selling point.  But lots of urban schools play football off campus, and if you're driving distance away, it might as well be at the Rose Bowl.  

You could be like SC - stadium is adjacent to campus, but it's a pile of shit and is also in the hood.  

Joined: 11/13/2009

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MaizeNBlueTexan

February 5th, 2013 at 3:17 PM ^

I can see Kiffin being a "players" coach kind of guy. He hypes you up and lets you ride your High School fame into college. Oh you were a 5 star? Its cool you don't have to practice today if you don't want to, you a baller son! The players probably love him and they get along great and then wonder why they go 6-7 and lose to Georgia Tech.

In response to your sn I have three things for you: Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica.

Joined: 09/13/2011

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EGD

February 6th, 2013 at 12:24 AM ^

Penn State had a class like that in around 1999 or 2000.  They only signed ten players but all of them were 4- and 5-star types (I don't know if it was customary for sites to use star rankings back then).  Withn a couple seasons, they went from being a perennial national championship contender to being a sub-.500 team.  I'm not saying that will happen at USC, but when you only bring in 11 players you aren't giving yourself much margin for error.  You really need to role players and the depth in addition to the front-line stars.

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