Waiting For A Miracle
posted by Scott Hood on Thursday, June 21, 2007
In my mind, this quote shows the extremely difficult task the USC coaches face in trying to turn the five-star Green their way. But if I've learned one thing about recruiting, it's you never say never. Remember, at this time last year Gary Gray of Richland Northeast High School in Columbia was a USC commitment.
So, there's a chance Green could change his mind and follow McCollum to Columbia. But, in my opinion, the odds of that happening are slim to none at this point. It may take the greatest recruiting job in college football to turn Greene.
How can USC improve its standing with the top football players in the Palmetto State? The short-term solution is easy – win more football games. Better yet, win SEC championships and build better facilities. Mark Richt has won three conference titles at Georgia. Moreover, the Bulldogs have some of the best facilities in the league, including a multi-million dollar academic support center that's surpassed only by Paris Hilton's Los Angeles mansion.
Obviously, it's nearly impossible to prevent every top-flight player from leaving the state. That happens everywhere, even in huge states like Florida and Texas where the flagship universities compete for national titles. Remember, eight of the best players in North Carolina signed with South Carolina in February. Some kids just want to go somewhere else.
Right now, South Carolina players of Greene's caliber have plenty of excuses to leave the state – USC doesn't win enough and the facilities aren't good enough. And that's just two reasons. Some make the choice to leave. Others chose to stay.
Hopefully, Steve Spurrier will be able to close all the escape hatches within the next few years. I think a nine-win season in 2007 should go a long ways towards achieving that goal.
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I read today's article in the local newspaper here in Columbia on USC quarterback commitment Reid McCollum of Summerville. While the stuff about his surfing talents was enjoyable, what caught my eye was this quote by McCollum when asked about wide receiver A.J. Green, a Georgia commitment: "He's always been a Georgia fan, and to go there has always been a dream for him, so I'm just pretty happy for him."
In my mind, this quote shows the extremely difficult task the USC coaches face in trying to turn the five-star Green their way. But if I've learned one thing about recruiting, it's you never say never. Remember, at this time last year Gary Gray of Richland Northeast High School in Columbia was a USC commitment.
So, there's a chance Green could change his mind and follow McCollum to Columbia. But, in my opinion, the odds of that happening are slim to none at this point. It may take the greatest recruiting job in college football to turn Greene.
How can USC improve its standing with the top football players in the Palmetto State? The short-term solution is easy – win more football games. Better yet, win SEC championships and build better facilities. Mark Richt has won three conference titles at Georgia. Moreover, the Bulldogs have some of the best facilities in the league, including a multi-million dollar academic support center that's surpassed only by Paris Hilton's Los Angeles mansion.
Obviously, it's nearly impossible to prevent every top-flight player from leaving the state. That happens everywhere, even in huge states like Florida and Texas where the flagship universities compete for national titles. Remember, eight of the best players in North Carolina signed with South Carolina in February. Some kids just want to go somewhere else.
Right now, South Carolina players of Greene's caliber have plenty of excuses to leave the state – USC doesn't win enough and the facilities aren't good enough. And that's just two reasons. Some make the choice to leave. Others chose to stay.
Hopefully, Steve Spurrier will be able to close all the escape hatches within the next few years. I think a nine-win season in 2007 should go a long ways towards achieving that goal.
- Permalink, Discuss, Blog Home
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.