Football
Associated Press 19y

Trojans again go first class in recruiting

LOS ANGELES -- The two-time defending national champion USC
Trojans signed a bumper crop of recruits again, with their 2005
class of newcomers considered among the best in the country.

Coach Pete Carroll and his staff scored nationwide, landing
players from Tennessee, Minnesota, Georgia, Hawaii and New Jersey
as well as a top group from California.

Among the highest regarded prospects are Patrick Turner of
Nashville, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound wide receiver reminiscent of Mike
Williams; linebacker Brian Cushing of Oradell, N.J.; and
Californians Mark Sanchez, a quarterback from Mission Viejo, and
Rey Maualuga, a linebacker from Eureka.

The Trojans' incoming class was ranked No. 1 in the nation by
one recruiting analyst, and no lower than third by three others
surveyed by The Associated Press. USC's 2004 group of recruits was
widely ranked as the nation's best.

"This is a tremendous group of football players," Carroll
said. "We signed an outstanding group from California, as well as
some key national recruits who are considered the best in their
respective states.

"They all give us a lot of reasons to be excited about their
futures. They will raise the competitive level within our program
and will be given every opportunity to get on the field right away
this fall."

Along with the 14 high school stars who have signed with USC,
three other players -- Michael Coleman, Kevin Ellison and Thomas
Herring -- enrolled as freshmen last month and will participate in
spring practice. Coleman and Ellison aren't slotted into a specific
position yet, and Herring is an offensive lineman.

Carroll focused on the defensive side, adding three linebackers,
three defensive backs and three linemen.

"We're heavily loaded on defense," he said. "With the loss of
some linebackers, it was something we focused on. The linebacker
class is probably what I'm most excited about and reminds me of the
great class of running backs that came in with Reggie Bush, LenDale
and Chauncey Washington.

"It might be because it's slanted toward defense, but I feel
this is the most aggressive, competitive class we've had."

Luthur Brown of suburban Lakewood is the third incoming
linebacker.

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