Garry Paskwietz

  (4:59 PM)

Hello everyone, let's get started.

Anthony (Moreno Valley,Ca)

why are Usc and Lane trying sign so many WR?. Is it because they dont see any talent at WR for the 2014 class?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:01 PM)

It's an important position for Kiffin. A game breaking wide receiver group is critical for his offense to succeed and he's going to be relentless in trying to get the right guys. Also remember which position he coached, wide receivers. I don't think it's a complete stretch to go for three even though I thought they would have stopped at two.

Anthony (Moreno Valley,Ca)

With QB Jesse S. Leaving USC does that open up another spot for the 2013 class.?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:02 PM)

No, the Trojans will still be limited to 15 players in the next class. It does open up a spot on the roster, however, and his departure means USC is now at 75 players, the number they needed to be at when the season opens.

fightonsc (Orange County)

What is the current status of Robert Woods' ankle? Concerning that this happened over a year ago and is still not fully healed.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:04 PM)

He hasn't been completely cleared yet. It would be ideal to have it be completely healed but it isn't. It's not like he took off the whole year since he originally hurt it, he played a whole season on it. There are still two months to go before the start of fall camp so there is a lot of time left to rest up.

Ed (New Mexico)

Hi Garry, Realizing recruiting is a very fluid process, but as of today how many of Redfield, Hutchings, Falah, Willis and Goodman do you see signing with SC in February? Thanks.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:05 PM)

I can make a case for each of those guys ending up at USC but I wouldn't call any of them a sure thing either. Right now I see Goodman as the most likely, then Falah. Redfield seems to be a real battle with Oregon. I could see Washington being a player for Hutchings.

SpintoJoe (New York)

Garry, all the recent offers to wide receivers has at least been surprising considering the other needs. What is your best guess about who will actually sign? Which of the recent "athletes" offered would likely end up in the defensive backfield and which are more suited to offense?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:08 PM)

I don't think there's any question Steven Mitchell will sign. There will be questions about Eldridge Massington since he is an out of state player who hasn't visited USC yet but you aren't going to hear too many players speak more fondly of their school than Massington talks about SC. He seems to have very specific reasons for why he committed that make him seem like a solid bet to sign. I think Tyree Robinson is a guy who could sign as a receiver but also end up on defense. From what I've seen, I would put Robinson on offense.

fightonsc (Orange County)

Were the two 2014 OL commits well known players or off the radar? Did you see them play at the camp?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:09 PM)

Jordan Poland was a known guy last year in Arizona. Toa Lobendahn was more of a surprise, we knew he was a prospect but he was more well known as the son of the Lakewood coach. Media isn't allowed to attend the USC camps so we didn't get to see them there.

Anthony (Moreno Valley,Ca)

Whats going on with Micheal Hutchings is it still strong on USC? and if not will USC wait on him and go after someone else?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:11 PM)

I think USC is in a real battle with Washington right now for Hutchings. He has a lot of good contacts with several of the USC commits and he has long had the Trojans as one of his favorites. But he had a very good visit recently to Washington including a continued relationship with asst coach Tosh Lupoi. They knew each other from Lupoi's days at Cal and Hutchings had a real good overall visit in Seattle. He is also close with Darrell Daniels, a receiver from the same area who was looking at USC but now could be more focused on the Dawgs.

Miguel (Los Angeles)

Word is Redfield is Oregon to lose , showed up at camp with Oregon gear on ?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:13 PM)

He showed up at the Dana Hills passing tournament wearing an Oregon sweatshirt between games. When a reporter asked him about it, he replied "it's just a shirt". I don't think it's any secret that USC and Oregon are two schools getting a long look from Max, most recruiting people seem to think it will come down to one of the two.

Jacky (USC)

Chans Cox is listed as a ATH , but reports are that he is being recruited as a FB at USC ? Why would we waste a scholarship on a fullback ? wen we just got one last year /

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:14 PM)

It's not a pure fullback role, he described it as more of a hybrid h-back role, kind of like the one that Rhett Ellison played at times. We've seen that Kiffin has no problem lining up fullbacks and TE's in h-back roles and moving them around.

thickness (watts,ca.)

What are the chances that Gerald bowman redshirt,and if so does that discourage other recruits like sua cravens,max redfield and priest Willis on being Trojans?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:15 PM)

I haven't heard any talk of Gerald Bowman redshirting.

Dr. P (Bethel, NY)

Mass kicks ass...Seems like Aundrey Walker and Kevin Graff are now the same weight - think this will have nearing on the Left Tackle Competition?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:16 PM)

I think Kiffin was pretty clear in wanting to pursue the line-up with Walker at LT and Graf at RT. I don't see that changing right now.

Greg (LA)

Two WR's already with offers out to more. Are you concerned that there won't be enough spots left for all of the DL's and DB's we need?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:17 PM)

No, I think the bulk of the remaining spots will go to those two positions. I think we see at least two more bodies on the line and either two or three in the secondary.

Daniel (Ladera Ranch)

Taheen Goodman likes what he saw at USC but still seems a long way from commiting to the Trojans. Who is the competiton for him?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:18 PM)

He'll take a trip to Washington later this month and has been clear that he wants to take visits to schools like Florida and LSU as well. I think he wants to enjoy the process a little bit but when all is said and done he will likely be a Trojan. This weekend at the SC camp went a long way with him.

Nicholas (Tulsa, OK)

Who wins on a neutral field, Trojans or Sooners?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:20 PM)

It may very well happen. Two great programs but I'll go with the Trojans because of the level of offensive firepower. I'm not saying history would repeat itself but it was a similar scenario at the Orange Bowl in 2005 and it was the USC offense that was the difference.

Ed (New Mexico)

Are Vernon Hargreaves or Montravious Adams scheduled to visit SC this summer? What about other elite players from the southeast? Thanks.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:21 PM)

I haven't heard of any summer visit plans but both players have talked about potential official visits. Another top player from the southeast who continues to talk about an SC official is Laremy Tunsil.

Oscar (Bellflower)

How good ate the 2014 commits? Do you think Kiffin offered so soon because he believe will not be able to sign a OT this year?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:23 PM)

I don't think so because the Trojans still have a very legitimate shot with Nico Falah. It's just a case of this class not being a priority with the o-line so the scholarships were needed elsewhere after using so many on o-linemen the last two years. Since there won't be many this year, it's important to load up for next year, if the coaches saw enough this weekend to offer then why wait?

Brian Orellana (Los Angeles )

Hey Garry, why hasn't kiffin and co. Put more attention on the defensive line..those dominant sc teams always had stellar defensive lines..do u think kiffin is getting a little offensive happy getting all these offensive players?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:26 PM)

The highest rated USC player for this class is defensive lineman Kenny Bigelow (#9 in ESPN rankings). The other d-line commit is also a top 100 player in Kylie Fitts. I think that's a pretty good start to the class but I understand your point in that it will be important to get at least one, if not two, more bodies. It's a priority, you see Orgeron spending a lot of time in the south looking for players and history shows that he can hit on one from time to time (Leonard Williams).

TroyZilla (Sammamish, WA)

Gary, a question that I can't seem to find an answer. How do the coaches find the players? Especially out of state athletes? Do they have a network of "Friends of Troy"? A scouting service? Alumni? Do they have staff that canvasses the internet and various local papers? Dumb Luck? Just wondering how the pipeline gets filled?Examples....Max Brown and Zach Banner...how do they find these guys at a far flung HS in WA state?TroyZilla (Seattle)

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:28 PM)

It's very much a combination of things. Yes, they do subscribe to various services to get names and video, plus they have a staff who helps compile information on the recruits. The coaches themselves will divide up the work and analyze the tape and go over information to share with the rest of the staff. In the end though, it is Kiffin who makes the decisions but the amount of information is generated from the staff and it's a very thorough operation.

Chris (Newport Beach, CA)

Gary, give us the percentages on who's the third WR between Farmer, DeFlouney & Blackwell after summer ball is over.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:29 PM)

I still say Farmer is the overwhelming favorite, if he is healthy. If he's not, then I would give Flournoy the slight edge coming out of spring practice.

Edward (California)

How is the defensive back recruiting? How many cornerbacks and safeties will USC take?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:31 PM)

It's the deepest position group in this class, at least on the west coast. USC has two DB recruits so far and they are good ones, Su'a Cravens and Chris Hawkins. They are in on several more talented local players including Max Redfield, Tahaan Goodman, Priest Willis and Johnny Johnson. That's not even including national names such as Vernon Hargreaves. Guys like Cravens and Redfield could even end up at other positions. Because of all that, I could see three more players taken in the secondary.

yogiusc (los Angeles)

I was very elated when CLK was hired and told many people he would win a NC in his 3rd year. I also said he would win more games and championships than PC, what do you think?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:33 PM)

I think he has matched PC pretty well through the first two years and is well positioned to match him in year three as well. Kiffin has the potential to accomplish a lot in his time at USC, we'll see what happens.

Bill (Lawndale, California)

How many offensive linemen will USC take this recruiting class with two commits from next year? Is there still a focus?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:34 PM)

I think the ideal number is two for the offensive line in this class but it could end up being just one. Nico Falah from St. John Bosco remains a top target and the one national name who keeps saying he will take a visit is Laremy Tunsil. I know Tunsil is a longshot but as long as he still says he wants to visit, you have to leave the possibility open.

Holey Moley (Monterey Park)

Have any recruits past and/or present ever mentioned what makes Kiffin such a great recruiter? He always seems to be ripped in the media (not so much lately) yet the recruits see something else positive.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:36 PM)

He is very detailed. He lays out a plan for a player on the field and in the classroom. He is very specific with his thoughts and players and parents respond to that.

Rundy (Long Beach)

Considering all of USC's offers to receivers and most likely just one more receiver spot remaining, which one is at the top of their board? Also, do you predict we get a verbal from either Joe Mathias or Eddie Vanderdoes? Thank you.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:39 PM)

I think there are still a few possibilities at receiver with Demorea Stringfellow, Sebastian Larue and Tyree Robinson. It's going to be very interesting to see how that receiver group shakes out. I think Mathis heads elsewhere while Vanderdoes will be a real battle with Oregon.

Steve (Monrovia )

When is Redfield going to make a decision

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:40 PM)

He said this past weekend that he would like to wait until the Under Armour game before announcing a choice but then he said it could happen before that.

James (Atlanta, GA)

Good afternoon Gary, As an avid Southern Cal Trojan should I be worried about the status of Robert Woods at this time? I mean why has he not been cleared yet?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:42 PM)

When Robert talked in spring he knew there was a very good chance that he wasn't going to be able to take part in summer throwing sessions until mid-to-late July. It would have been great for the team to get him back early but that hasn't happened yet. So far, however, I haven't heard of any real setbacks in his rehab.

David (San Diego )

Garry, do you priest,redfield,ghoodman commiting seeing that Su'a has a position pretty much locked down..do u think any of them can play cb??

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:43 PM)

Yes, I could still see any of them coming to SC. Both Redfield and Willis have the ability to play corner, Redfield is also getting plenty of looks as a receiver.

Oscar (Irwindale CA)

Hey Gary! What has been your take on BCS or Playoff???

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:45 PM)

My primary interest at this point is hoping to maintain as much of the Rose Bowl tradition as possible. I would like to see that happen in whatever system they choose.

Emma2 (Pasadena ca)

Gary, sounds like the two 2014 offensive line committs have real potential and can provide more flexability in filling other slots in 2013.What are your thoughts?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:46 PM)

I think that's a very important point. The 2013 class isn't strong for the o-line so this gives the coaches stability for next year and allows them to focus on other areas this year, such as an extra wide receiver or defensive back.

raider (los angeles)

being that sc is ranked high for the preseason what do you think the right rank for them is overall?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:47 PM)

I think it's fine to have them anywhere in that top 1-2-3 range. Most people seem to have USC, Alabama and LSU in some order at the top, maybe Oklahoma is in there as well. I definitely think the Trojans deserve to be talked about in that group right now.

Greg (LA)

We clearly are making more offers than we can accept (like at WR). How does the team deal with it? A deadline? An "update" phone call? Are some offers open to Feb no matter what (Hutchings and Redfield, for instance)?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:49 PM)

That's the balancing act of recruiting. Some coaches know how to handle it and some never figure it out. As you say, it really depends on the recruit. The rules or deadlines that apply to one player may not apply to another, it all depends on how they are viewed by the staff. It's a very tricky process for both sides.

David (Santa Fe Springs )

Who's coming to the rising stars camp ?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:51 PM)

Some of the names who have indicated they are coming include Tyler Foreman, Dwight Williams, Michael Hutchings, Greg Gilmore and Paul Harris.

dougie (top of the grapevine)

Are the coaches going after Vanderdoes and do you think he will officially visit the Trojans ?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:52 PM)

The coaches are definitely pursuing him but he has built a solid rapport with Oregon and many people think the Ducks are the leader.

Oscar (Irwindale)

Did Boise State ever consider joining when the PAC 12 was expanding? I would of loved to see USC VS Boise State every year.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:52 PM)

I never heard any legitimate interest in Boise St.

MJ (Davis, CA)

Do you know if Max Redfield is being recruited as a Safety or ATH? If he commits, where do you see coaches playing him first?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:53 PM)

He's being recruited as a safety with the full knowledge of his receiver skills. My guess is that safety would be his first shot.

kd (compton )

how marcus simmons is healthy finally ? if so you think he can contribute in the crowed linebacker core ?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:55 PM)

Marquis got banged up again in spring ball but he is still out there. Right now I see him on special teams, he just hasn't been able to create a consistent role in the rotation at strongside linebacker yet.

dougie (top of the grapevine)

What do you see as the 4 toughest games this season?. And seems as if the Trojans will have to go undefeated to get in the NC game.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:56 PM)

I'll say Stanford, Washington, Oregon, Notre Dame.

Daniel (Ladera Ranch, CA)

Khaliel Rodgers seems to want be a Trojan. Being the # 1 rated guard and teammate of Bigelow how come the Trojans haven't bitten yet on a offer.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:57 PM)

I don't know a specific reason but it's tough for players like Rodgers who seem to have a lot of other suitors but would love an SC offer. It's the same way for Sean Harlow, an SC legacy, his father played OL at SC and knew Trojans o-line coach James Cregg from their same high school.

Dan (WLV)

Who has been the most impressive recruit you've seen this summer (Nike Camp, Elite 11, 7-on-7, etc.)?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:58 PM)

Su'a Cravens, followed by Max Redfield.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

You see him like Goodman's chances of becoming a Trojan a lot more than you did a few weeks ago? Have you increased your odds on Mathis as well?

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:59 PM)

That increased feeling on Goodman is directly related to his experience at the camp this weekend. He really hit it off with Marvin Sanders. I have not on Mathis, I still think he ends up elsewhere.

Garry Paskwietz

  (5:59 PM)

Thanks everyone for coming, that's all the time we have for today.