The stockpiling of talent will apparently continue at USC. As the final pushes are made toward Wednesday, the national letter-of-intent signing day for football, the Trojans are anticipating another stellar recruiting class.
But a lot can happen in these final hours, and supposed "commitments" can suddenly become meaningless. Especially at a time when Coach Pete Carroll and his reconfigured staff face a new issue: An exodus of several high-profile transfers.
Three players -- running backs Emmanuel Moody and Broderick Green and receiver Vidal Hazelton -- left USC in the last 18 months to seek happiness and more playing time elsewhere. All were from out of state and formerly regarded as elite talents by recruiting experts.
Greg Biggins, West Coast recruiting analyst for ESPNRise.com, said opposing coaches have cited the departures as cautionary tales about straying across the country to sign with the Trojans.
And Biggins added that the exits also sent a message regarding USC's depth-chart issues.
"They're still going to have a monster class, but this year, probably more than any other year, I've heard kids say, 'You know, there's just too many guys there,' " Biggins said.
Allen Wallace, national recruiting editor for Scout.com, said transfers are "pretty much a fact of life in college football," and does not believe they will affect USC's recruiting.
"If you look at any program you'll see kids leaving for various reasons," he said.
Moody, a Texas native, left USC during training camp in 2007 and made his way to Florida with hopes of running the ball more.
Green left the Trojans during the 2008 season and eventually headed home to enroll at Arkansas. Hazelton, a New York native, also left the team before season's end and recently said he would attend Cincinnati.
Both Green and Hazelton cited ill grandparents as a reason for their departure. But limited playing time caused by a stacked depth chart also was a factor.
"We really think we recruit the type of kids that really want to compete and stick it out and continue to battle," Carroll said. "So any time a guy leaves, you're a little bit surprised. But on the same token if there are some other issues involved . . . we're fully understanding."
But will prospects be as forgiving when a USC position group can go as many as 10 deep?
That was the case in 2007 when the Trojans had 10 tailbacks on the roster. They started last season with six, and will have the same number when spring practice begins March 28.
