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If I were a recruit, I would choose USC

  • If I were Jalen Ramsey or another high-profile recruit from Tennessee, I would choose USC over the Vols.

    Let me preface my explanation by telling you that I'm not trying to troll the board or stir a fight. I'm also not bashing Dooley or UT. I'm simply taking an alternative approach to those who demonize USC and wonder why recruits would choose "that scumbag Kiffin" over their homestate university.

    Now, on to my explanation.

    I grew up a Tennessee fan. If I were a high school recruit, my lifelong allegiance to UT would lead me to choose the Vols. But if I were in the shoes of a recruit with no existing allegiance, USC would be the most appealing option. Why?

    1) Success. USC is college football's pre-eminent non-SEC football program this decade, and some would argue that it's been the nation's best program since 2000. Tennessee has struggled lately. Winning talks.

    2) NFL track record. I don't need to expound on this one. USC has put guys in the league. Monte Kiffin has coached there. Every major recruit has his eyes on the pros, and Kiffin & Co. make it a major mission to sell players on the Trojans' ability to get them there.

    3) Culture. USC's California swagger is extremely appealing to 18-year-old kids who see college as much more than just a football destination. Partying on the beach? Check. 15 minutes from Hollywood? Check. Alums who have achieved pop-culture-icon status? Check.

    Kiffin and Orgeron have maintained the Carroll swagger. They're big kids. Is that sound in the long run? No. As a prep prospect, would it rope me in? Yep. James Franklin has used the same approach at Vanderbilt. Why else would top recruits go there?

    4) Questions about UT coaching stability. Do I really believe Kiffin will be at USC in five years? Nope. I think he'll either get in NCAA trouble by then or take an NFL job. But right now, there are larger questions about Dooley's job security, and you can bet every coach in America is telling that to recruits.

    Adult college football fans see Kiffin's deficiencies. We see them more vividly because we saw what he did to the Tennessee program. But prep recruits don't see those things. They see the four factors I mentioned. That's why if I were a prep prospect from Tennessee with offers from the Vols and Trojans, I'd be California dreamin'.

    This post has been edited 3 times, most recently by WesVols on 7/11/2012 at 9:53 AM

    WesVols

  • cool story bro

    volfan28

  • I can't blame him...I was around those guys enough to see how they appeal and how USC would have appeal. It doesn't necessarily appeal to ME, but I can see how it would be attractive. I suppose thats how recruiting goes

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    thankinvol21

  • Not sure anyone needs USC's appeal explained to them. It's an elite tier program, no one is debating that.

    The one thing it doesn't have - the SEC and everything that goes along with it.

    tallbrad

  • tallbrad said...

    Not sure anyone needs USC's appeal explained to them. It's an elite tier program, no one is debating that.

    The one thing it doesn't have - the SEC and everything that goes along with it.

    Some Tennessee fans need it explained to them. Many fail to realize that while we see Kiffin for who he really is, recruits do not.

    WesVols

  • Yea...not following you on this one at all.

    This post was edited by BraysDeepBalls on 7/11/2012 at 10:10 AM

    BraysDeepBalls

  • Get off the plane in LAX and drive to USC campus and it won't take much convincing. People fall in love with SoCal everyday for all the obvious reasons. Beaches, Hot girls, Weather, LA, LA, Hollywood.

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    volrob24

  • BraysDeepBalls said...

    Yea...not following you on this one at all.

    This^

    utkdominic

  • BraysDeepBalls said...

    Yea...not following you on this one at all.

    Do you disagree that USC/Los Angeles is an appealing place for 18-year-old kids? We don't like Kiffin. Recruits love him.

    WesVols

  • Well as a fan you also have a choice, so why don't you join rubberquest or rubbernation and go hug on kippen?

    This post was edited by Kevin Ryan on 7/11/2012 at 1:11 PM

    Manndingo

  • 1. No way would I let my son play for a coach like Kiffin or Orgeron.....they proved their morals here as we got lucky to get out of it with a slap on the wrist......1-2 more years the NCAA would have buried us.

    2. Most families would not be able to go and see their kid play live @ USC.......some never.......some 1 time a year.

    3. USC might be all-in this year and then put it in reverse.......without Barkley coming back they were headed for a step backwards. Now the scholly restrictions start taking place this class and forward and approx 18 this year and 15 next year.......wait til they lose 33%+ of those too like most every team does over 4 years.

    4. Dooley IMO is much more of a class act and this staff might be better too.......their resumes are as good as anyones.

    5. SEC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>anything else

    6. Compare UT prior to the last 4+ years to USC..........UT has an NFL record as good as anyones year in year out. Next year we could have 3-5 1st-2nd round picks.

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by SamVolsam on 7/11/2012 at 10:32 AM

    SamVolsam ●

  • Manndingo said...

    Well as a fan you also have a choice, so why don't you join rubberquest or rubbernation and go hug on kippen?

    LOL, this is a volquest bleed over comment.

    This post was edited by Kevin Ryan on 7/11/2012 at 1:11 PM

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    volrob24

  • Great Post Totally agree. Kids want to play for Monte Kiffin to.

    California vs. Tennessee (Tough one)
    Beach everyday of the year
    Coach Stability
    Better Team

    Give me the option to go to LA or Knoxville for college I am going to Cali.

    hdrizzle21

  • WesVols said...

    Do you disagree that USC/Los Angeles is an appealing place for 18-year-old kids? We don't like Kiffin. Recruits love him.

    Not all recruits love him. James Stone and Byron Moore say hello and I am sure there are a ton more.

    Sure USC is a "hot" univ to go to and maybe that does attract a type of kid.........but there are plenty of reasons as I have listed above to go to UT over USC. Peyton Manning to this day can't stand the west coast.

    It might also fall in the ocean.........

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by SamVolsam on 7/11/2012 at 10:34 AM

    SamVolsam ●

  • SamVolsam said...

    1. No way would I let my son play for a coach like Kiffin or Orgeron

    2. Most families would not be able to go and see their kid play live @ USC.......some never.......some 1 time a year.

    3. USC might be one and done this year.......without Barkley coming back they were headed for a step backwards. Now the scholly restrictions start taking place this class and forward and approx 18 this year and 15 next year.......wait til they lose 33%+ of those too like most every team does over 4 years.

    4. Dooley IMO is much more of a class act and this staff might be better too.......their resumes are as good as anyones.

    5. SEC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>anything else

    Very legitimate counterarguments. Recruits with strong parental involvement are more likely to factor these into their decisions.

    WesVols

  • SamVolsam said...

    Not all recruits love him. James Stone and Byron Moore say hello and I am sure there are a ton more.

    Sure USC is a "hot" univ to go to and maybe that does attract a type of kid.........but there are plenty of reasons as I have listed above to go to UT over USC. Peyton Manning to this day can't stand the west coast.

    It might also fall in the ocean.........

    I agree on all counts. If I were a recruit, USC would have strong appeal to me. It doesn't for everybody. No school appeals to everyone.

    I know plenty of people who wouldn't mind if it fell in the ocean. Most have 865 phone numbers.

    This post was edited by WesVols on 7/11/2012 at 10:38 AM

    WesVols

  • WesVols said...

    Very legitimate counterarguments. Recruits with strong parental involvement are more likely to factor these into their decisions.

    I think it would be fun to play in front of my family AND friends. Also, if you grow up in the south, more than likely you are a fan of the SEC and maybe even passionate toward a school.......playing for a program you have dreamed about as a young kid would be exciting and motivating IMO.

    Jalen might have wanted to get away......and USC is attractive.......thats fine. IMO Dawson wanted this too. This is a recruit by recruit decision and the arguement can easily be made both ways IMO.

    SamVolsam ●

  • volrob24 said...

    Get off the plane in LAX and drive to USC campus and it won't take much convincing. People fall in love with SoCal everyday for all the obvious reasons. Beaches, Hot girls, Weather, LA, LA, Hollywood.

    You have obviously never been to USC's campus or the nearby LA Coliseum. Both are in high crime areas and surrounded by gang bangers. The campus is surrounded by a security fence. I am not disputing USC is appealing as a school or football program but aesthetically it is not UCLA, which is in Westwood near Beverly Hills and not far from the beach. From a lifestyle perspective I would choose UCLA over USC any day.

    By the way, one factor that you forgot about going to USC from Tennessee is the distance factor. It's going to be difficult for my parents to see me play when I am 3,000 miles away. And I was close enough to my parents and family that I would have wanted them to see me play.

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    RunThruThe T ●

  • WesVols said...

    I agree on all counts. If I were a recruit, USC would have strong appeal to me. It doesn't for everybody. No school appeals to everyone.

    I know plenty of people who wouldn't mind if it fell in the ocean. Most have 865 phone numbers.

    I am impressed that a poster can see both sides to the arguement.....that does not happen on other sites (it is agree with my opinion or get bashed)......another reason this site is just better.......civil discussions even when we disagree a bit.

    SamVolsam ●

  • RunThruThe T said...

    You have obviously never been to USC's campus or the nearby LA Coliseum. Both are in high crime areas and surrounded by gang bangers. The campus is surrounded by a security fence. I am not disputing USC is appealing as a school or football program but aesthetically it is not UCLA, which is in Westwood near Beverly Hills and not far from the beach. From a lifestyle perspective I would choose UCLA over USC any day.

    By the way, one factor that you forgot about going to USC from Tennessee is the distance factor. It's going to be difficult for my parents to see me play when I am 3,000 miles away. And I was close enough to my parents and family that I would have wanted them to see me play.

    I have always heard this too..........UCLA is a sleeping giant that just does not put the $$$ and effort into winning football

    SamVolsam ●

  • hdrizzle21 said...

    Great Post Totally agree. Kids want to play for Monte Kiffin to.

    California vs. Tennessee (Tough one) Beach everyday of the year Coach Stability Better Team

    Give me the option to go to LA or Knoxville for college I am going to Cali.

    Wow, what some people envision LA to be like vs. the reality of actually living there makes me laugh.

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    RunThruThe T ●

  • RunThruThe T said...

    Wow, what some people envision LA to be like vs. the reality of actually living there makes me laugh.

    I've never been to L.A. and I have no reason to dispute your observations of the place. I've heard similar thoughts from others. Unfortunately, in recruits' minds perception trumps reality. If they envision L.A. as a sand/surf/sun mecca, that's what they'll base their decisions on, whether or not L.A. is really like that at all.

    WesVols

  • Great posts here. It would be great to see how many recruits have went to USC over the last 10 years from SEC couuntry, and out of those who went to the pros.

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    BillyVol

  • BillyVol said...

    Great posts here. It would be great to see how many recruits have went to USC over the last 10 years from SEC couuntry, and out of those who went to the pros.

    When I have time I'll do the research. That'll be a fun work distraction.

    WesVols

  • RunThruThe T said...

    Wow, what some people envision LA to be like vs. the reality of actually living there makes me laugh.

    My buddy lives in West LA and and surfs every day. I don't know where USC is so I may be a little misinformed, but LA in general is better then 99% of the United States.

    hdrizzle21

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