Garry Paskwietz

  (4:59 PM)

Welcome to the chat, let's get started

Bill (Carson, California)

Any player that has surprised you during the throwing sessions?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:01 PM)

Victor Blackwell has looked real good. So has George Farmer but don't be surprised if the battle for the #3 receiver spot is closer than most people would think. The two tackles look good, Kevin Graf and Aundrey Walker (who is looking real slim). Both incoming DB's are solid too, Josh Shaw and Gerald Bowman.

Chandler (Long Beach)

Any update on Marquis Simmons? How is his injury and will he practice during spring practice?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:01 PM)

I talked to Marquis last week and he said he is fine to take part in spring ball.

Tim (Los Angeles, California)

Are there any current players on the team who could switch to running back?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:02 PM)

Right now the coaches are saying "no". There is talk that Nelson Agholor could see reps there in fall, they are classifying him as an "offensive player" who will likely start off at receiver.

Tim (Los Angeles, California)

Any news on Patrick Hall and will he return to the team?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:02 PM)

Nothing new on Patrick. When Kiffin addressed the situation a few weeks ago it sounded like Patrick had a long way to go before anything would be decided on a possible return.

trevor (l.a.)

Hi Garry. From what you've seen, could this year's d-line be deeper than last year's? Not necessarily better; just more players that can contribute affectively.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:04 PM)

Deeper, yes, and that is a good thing. But the lack of experience in the middle is going to be as important as any issue for the Trojans this year. Most national title teams are strong in the middle of the d-line, the Trojans needs guys like Uko and Tavai to step up for that to be the case for USC.

Matt (Los Angeles)

Garry, if you'd humor me and play fortune teller for the 2013 season, what would you predict the starting OL to be? Hobbi at center? Does Walker move to guard or become an outstanding tackle?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:04 PM)

I'll go with Graf, Martin, Hobbi, Martinez and Walker.

trevor (l.a.)

With last year's second half surge of Marquise Lee and Curtis McNeil, plus the likely increased touches for our tight ends and 3rd receiver, why don't more people think Robert Wood's number will drop off?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:05 PM)

Because Woods is that good. Even with the surges you mentioned, and even though he battled through a year-long nagging ankle injury, Woods still set a USC single-season record. The guy is a unique talent and that won't change no matter how many other playmakers the Trojans have.

Matt (Los Angeles)

Hey GP - Position switches? We've already found out about Temple, but do you forsee any others? You've mentioned Dion Bailey to safety before, and I can't understand that one, especially this year... Maybe down the line for the kid's NFL future but team wise it doesn't seem to make sense. What about Christian Thomas?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:07 PM)

I wouldn't move Bailey, not after the production he saw in his first year at a new position. Christian Thomas is a natural thought but I still think we haven't seen the best from him as a tight end, he's shown flashes on the practice field when healthy. It's unclear if Josh Shaw will play safety or corner but he clearly wants to play corner.

Chandler (Long Beach)

Does USC have a chance to get Troy Williams or is USC more focused on Max Browne?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:07 PM)

Right now the focus is Browne as he got the first USC quarterback offer for this class.

Greg (LA)

Are we offering 2013 recruits earlier than usual? Would it be simpler if we just waited until the Rivals 100 came out and we just offered all of them?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:08 PM)

No, the staff usually hands out a first round of offers right around this time.

Daniel (Cypress)

Any USC events (spring camp/game, summer camp/throwing session) open to the public. I missed the spring game last year because I had to play Army. I would love watch as much as I could.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:09 PM)

The spring game is open on April 14th. Hope you get to make it.

Sal (Anaheim) [via mobile]

Garry, what team do you believe Matt Kalil ends up with?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:10 PM)

I'll guess that he goes to the Minnesota Vikings. They have a need at LT and they have good experience with tackles from USC in Ron Yary.

Joe H. (Burbank)

Hi Gary. Given how much the secondary struggled to grasp Monte's defense in their first year, will Bowman and Shaw really be able to be effective? Wouldn't it make sense to redshirt them if possible to give them 2 years instead of 1 to really contribute with an already decent 2-deep?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:12 PM)

I understand your point but also remember that both of these guys have spent two years in a college (or JC) level system. It may not mean exposure to a system like the Monte Kiffin one but it's more sophisticated than what a high school player would see. With that being said, I think it would be a huge benefit to redshirt both players (Shaw has not been cleared yet to play this year anyways).

Daniel (Cypress)

Who do you think out of this years class are most likely to be redshirted?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:13 PM)

Shelton, Wheeler, Pinner and Wilson are most likely guys.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Who will USC Replace the Players who are Heading to the 2012 NFL Draft with in 2012?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:15 PM)

Kevin Graf will get first shot at replacing Kalil at LT but Aundrey Walker will be in mix as well. Wes Horton will flip over and take Nick Perry's spot, Kennard will take over for Horton. George Uko and J.R. Tavai will replace DaJohn Harris and Christian Tupou in the middle of the d-line. Soma Vainuku will take over for Rhett Ellison.

Chris (Newport Beach, CA)

Do you think the staff is leaning more toward the Washington QB recruiting wise as opposed to Wittig and Stanton in state? Is Stanton really as well regarded as the first two?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:17 PM)

At this point, yes. Browne got the first QB offer while local guys like Johnny Stanton, Hayden Rettig and Troy Williams did not. All those other three are very good and they will have their share of suitors, I think Stanton is just a terrific football player.

Chris (Newport Beach, CA)

Garry, who are two young players, one on each side of the ball that you will be watching closely during spring ball?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:18 PM)

Soma Vainuku on offense, USC needs a fullback for this offense to run properly and Soma has spent a year preparing for this shot. On defense, I'll be paying a lot of attention to the young defensive linemen like Greg Townsend.

Bill (Lomita)

How are the new coaches?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:19 PM)

We haven't really seen a lot of them, they've been here for three conditioning sessions which the media is not allowed to watch. Our first real look at them in action will come on March 6th with the start of spring ball.

Daniel (Cypress)

I know FB/RB are slim in depth along with DT and WR (not in quality but in quantity) but I could see guys like Williams, Agholor, Pinner being redshirted if guys like FLournoy, A. Woods, Heywood, Soma, Buck, etc. step up. Do you agree?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:20 PM)

I can see Pinner redshirting but, at this point, I would expect Williams and Agholor to play. That could change, it's just how I see things right now.

Ed (Las Cruces, NM)

Of the big recruits SC is after for next year, do you know if any of them are on track to graduate early, thus being able to enroll early and count with this year's class?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:23 PM)

The biggest name we know of so far is Su'a Cravens, the LB from Vista Murrieta. He might be the top player in the state this year.

Zolty (NY)

Who do you think were the top three USC tailbacks of all time?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:25 PM)

#1 is Charles White on my list, more yards than any back in school history. Marcus Allen is

Greg (LA)

Garry - you can't possibly mean that MN will use one of the top picks in the draft because 40 years ago (before most of the guys picking were even born), MN picked a guy from USC who turned out to be a HOF'r?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:26 PM)

That is, of course, not the primary reason they would pick him. They would pick him because most every expert out there thinks he is the top offensive tackle on the board and the team has a serious need at that spot.

Ken (San Luis Obispo, CA)

Just how good is Jesse Scroggins? When I first found out USC was recruiting him I was excited but after the surgery on his thumb and these academic issues he has really fallen off the radar(Or more like ON the radar but for all the wrong things). What are the chances he becomes the starter when Barkley leaves?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:27 PM)

I think Jesse is better than most people think. Anybody who thinks he is an afterthought in the competition once Barkley leaves is mistaken, the guy has a real strong arm and a good all-around game. I'm not saying he would win the job, I would project Wittek at this early point, but he's definitely still in the mix.

Otto (CA)

Are they going to take Woods off of special teams next year. He seemed pretty beat up all season long.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:28 PM)

I think they will. Kiffin said after the season that it's something they will look at to help reduce Robert's workload.

Andrew (Anaheim)

it seems like there is less talent in 2013 recruitin class in orange county. thoughts?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:29 PM)

I would agree with that, not sure why that is the case but we'll see where the OC players stack up once the camp/combine season gets started.

JT (Washington)

GP can you give us a list of the 5-6 guys we would sign if it was NLI today? Thank you.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:32 PM)

Obviously this is a guess but if LOI day was today, I could see USC with Su'a Cravens, Max Redfield,Kenny Bigelow and Max Browne. Those four (Bigelow is already a verbal) are all strong possibilities to SC. Michael Hutchings is another one who could be on that list but he was thrown for a loop by the departure of Joe Barry so it's hard to know where he stands with SC right now.

Mark (Philly)

When all is said and done, who starts opposite Nickell Robey at CB? Wiley, Brown, or Shaw? Who plays the nickel?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:34 PM)

Great competition if all those guys are in the mix. If Shaw is healthy, he offers a real big option out there. Wiley was a more than capable guy over last half of the season and I would not bet against Anthony Brown because of how good he was before he got hurt. It could end up being any one of the three (and I suppose Torin Harris could even get in the mix).

Tony (Richmond, CA)

Is it imperative for Kiffin to land a top notch running back in 2013 that will not only stay, but produce, unlike Baxter, Mark Tyler, and Carlisle?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:34 PM)

Agreed. And you can be sure the coaches are out there on the recruiting trail showing the depth chart to potential running backs.

Ed (Las Cruces, NM)

My best friend lives in Atlanta and is a huge GA fan. It would really grate on his last nerve is SC could pick up a couple of their recruits from GA. Really hope our coaches can work their magic there this year.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:36 PM)

Yeah, the coaches have offers out to multiple players from Georgia already this year. A couple defensive linemen are huge targets in Robert Nkimdiche and Montravius Adams. The Peach state is becoming more and more of a force when it comes to producing quality talent.

adam (montreal)

WE. NEED. BETTER. PLAYERS.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:37 PM)

Really? The Trojans are projected by many as the pre-season #1 pick in college football. What level of talent are you looking for?

Tony (Richmond, CA)

Should the Trojans expect to face Davonte Neal as a pass catcher, or as a defender against Matt Barkeley and the passing game when they face each other next season?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:39 PM)

Brian Kelly talked yesterday about using him as an offensive weapon with the ball in his hands. I find it hard to argue with that. As good as he is on defense, it would be too tempting to put him on offense.

andrew (anaheim)

how long will usc wait on browne before offering one of the local guys?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:41 PM)

That is a magic question. I don't know the answer but you know there is a time limit and you know Browne is aware of that too. I don't see Browne as a guy who is going to waste much time in the recruiting process, he knows what items are on his checklist and he has a real good line of communication with the USC coaches right now.

Adrian (Lakewood, CA)

Garry... Are we still recruiting David Price out of Long Beach Poly? Haven't heard much about him lately, is there still interest in him?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:42 PM)

He's definitely on the radar but he didn't have as big of a junior year as most people were hoping to see. One person close to Poly said he has to get used to the idea of going out there and being "the man". If you're looking for Poly DB's, keep an eye on incoming sophomore Iman Williams, he is going to be a good one.

Georgetirebiter (Bakersfield)

A few days back Woods mentioned following the exanple of Matt and TJ and talked about getting a degree, and inplied staying. Most presumed he would be gone after 3 years. Any thughts?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:44 PM)

Woods is an extremely grounded young man, as is Barkley and T.J. McDonald, so it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him look to those other two for examples. There's no doubt he would be good enough to leave but he is definitely the type of young man who would stay to finish his degree and college experience.

Don (Berkeley, CA)

Are the Trojans pursuing Hutchings as well as Cravens? Will their scholarhsip limitations and depth chart allow them to take both?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:45 PM)

Yes, both have offers and they are the top two in-state LB candidates. The Trojans would definitely have room for both.

Mark (Philly)

Any news on Josh Shaw's transfer waiver request (family hardship) to the NCAA? How often are these granted, and do you expect Shaw's will be?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:46 PM)

He hadn't heard anything as of yesterday. All the paperwork is in so it's just a matter of waiting to hear back from the NCAA. I'm not sure what % of waivers is granted but it seems like Shaw has a pretty solid hardship, the Florida coaches seem to think so and didn't fight the transfer because they knew how close he is to his ill grandfather.

Don (Berkeley, CA)

Will Zach Kline prove to be the QB Jeff Tedford has been looking for and replace Andrew Luck as SC's Bay Area remesis?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:48 PM)

I don't know. I like Zach but I was never blown away by him at the various camps where I saw him perform. A lot of scouts seem to think highly of him though so you never know how he might develop. It's real interesting to see how long it's been since Tedford, the "QB guru", has really had a productive quarterback.

Stu (Huntington Beach)

As excited as I am about the pre-season rankings for SC, I just don't see how they can get there unless they have a dramatic improvement in their defense. How can that happen?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:50 PM)

I wouldn't say a "dramatic" improvement is needed, I would say continued improvement should be enough. The entire back 7 returns with guys who have played a lot of football in this system. The two defensive ends are seniors so the main worry, in my opinion, is the middle of the line. The Trojans will need guys to step up, mainly George Uko and J.R. Tavai.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:50 PM)

Thanks everyone for coming, that's all we have time for today. We will see you here next week.