November 7, 2007

The Ten of Troy

Welcome back to The Ten of Troy. This feature is intended to uniquely rank 10 of the most talked about players on USC's recruiting board. Selections are made with three main factors in mind: interest, need and buzz. Throughout the recruiting process, certain players create a swirl of attention due to recent on-field performances, visits or interviews. To set the scene of these evolving phases of recruiting zeitgeist, The Ten of Troy will rank each storyline accordingly. All players selected have been evaluated in person or on film by USCFootball.com. The Ten of Troy reflects the opinions of USCFootball.com and not the University of Southern California coaching staff.



NamePos.StarsHt/WtHometownVideo
Patrick JohnsonCB 6-1/200Pompano Beach (FL)2 Reels

Who: Patrick Johnson is rated the nation's No. 1 cornerback, and the nation's No. 3 prospect regardless of position. In 2006, Johnson had seven interceptions; following that output with five interceptions this season. Playing with that prototypical South Florida swagger, Johnson walked into USC's Rising Star Camp n June and ran a 4.38 SPARQ 40-yard dash. Combining the speed and explosiveness of a shutdown corner with the physical attributes of a safety, Johnson's competitive nature fits the Trojan creed.



Why: Johnson is what you would call a Cast Away Corner. Put him on an island all alone, and his best friend will become the ball. Lockdown corners are coveted in college football, but they are a premium in the pass happy PAC-10. There isn't a better cornerback in the nation, which makes Johnson a prime candidate to replace graduating senior Terrell Thomas.



Where: Johnson committed to Miami last spring, but has since been to LSU officially and USC, Texas A&M and Florida unofficially. Johnson will return to Los Angeles Dec. 1 for an official visit to USC. He will then make his final decision on a college before graduating from Ely High School. USC is in a perfect position to steal his signature.
Jurrell CaseyDT 6-0/280Long Beach (CA)3 Reels

Who: Jurrell Casey is the best one-shade defensive tackle on the West Coast. Dominant in 2006, Casey earned all-state honors as an offensive guard. This season, he's been a terror on the defensive side of the football. Recently earning a fourth-star in his ranking, he was unblockable at USC's Rising Star Camp in June.



Why:Defensive tackle remains a position of need for USC. With the graduation of All-American Sedrick Ellis, the Trojans must continue to strengthen their pass rush ability on the interior line. While he has yet to visit USC officially, his recent trip to Oregon has Trojan fans worried. USC must continue to keep its monopoly on local talent, which makes Casey that much more important of a recruit.




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