On talent gaps USC. V OSU. Oregon etc

It’s easy to praise Chad Bowden and say he saved USC.  But one thing to remember is that USC was terrified that the NCAA rules were not going to allow these payments to athletes.  In particular hs.

So Oregon. Ohio state lsu.  Ole Miss especially all got out there 4-5 years ago and started paying hs athletes   Obviously it’s escalated and clarified a bit.  But those guys are now seniors.  Juniors.

you may not recall. But USC has a policy of not paying for HS players.  At all. And spent their money.  Limited as it was then. On building the brands of Caleb Williams.  Jordan Addison.  And transfers like the OL kid from WSU. FSU. And pregnon from Wyoming.    Couple DT guys too.  Like Bear.

some of this pre dated Riley.  Heltons last class partly sucked because he was dead man walking but also because USC wasn’t convinced NIL and especially to HS kids.  Was sustainable.

now.  Where is this $ coming from?  I’d love to know.  I’d love to have dinner with one of Chads staff and quiz them for two hours.   Are there big $ donors who are writing $10mil checks?  Do they not want to be public?  Are you instead dipping in tv $ or operating funds?   Where is the $ flow here?

anyway.  Back to the evolution. It’s not just that Riley ignored ca.  or ignored hs. Kids.  We knew too programs were buying players from agents like Big Dave uga buggah 4 years ago.

USC just didn’t have anyone corralling NIL. Controlling funds. Raising $. And cutting deals.  They had that clown who transferred out of the SEC.  Shows up for spring practice.  Collected $100k. And then goes to another school in the sec to circumvent the rules.  Doesn’t play a down fornusc and collects $100k   THIS is where things were.

they waited a whole year under Jen to get in place a Gm.  Not sure why she took so long.  But that alone delayed the arrival of top HS talent.  It’s why the USC roster is devoid of upper classmen talent. the only jr or sr they have that are good are transfers or accidents.   Rare to find anyone like lake mcree.

even last year when USC started to come around before Bowden arrived their 2025 class was too little too late.  Step in the right direction for sure.  But too late a start to harvest great talent. All the kids were bought.

all the above is one reason they could offer 35 spots.  Bowden combined w $$$ and the open slots gave them a great opportunity to build with numbers.  Still don’t have a lot of 5 stars but can’t afford both. So they got 20-22 4 stars.

note that for the 2027 class they have no one.  Interesting.  By this time last year they had several.  Like 4-5.  Riley loved commitments 2 years early.  I don’t sense Bowden does.  I’m guessing he wants junior tape and video. Not sophomore tape.

curious if the upcoming class will be small or large.  They only have I think 13 seniors next year.  If Maiava  returns.    That indicates small.  But USC already cut loose 4-5 guys and likely will see more leave.  Up to 10.  I bet the same happens next year especially w this big class.  So I would think they’ll go after 20 guys.  Not that big these days.

Oregon has the right idea.  Roster stability.  Means they can get a small class. But focus on top end guys.   I would like to see USC do the same.  Get 20 guys and have 5 of them be 5 star dudes.  Get 7-8 four star guys and who cares about the rest.

we will see where this heads. But the most was mainly a reminder that USC didn’t magically get good at recruiting.  Or Riley suddenly discover so cal. Mater Dei and Trinity league kids have been whores for years.  First in cif transfers.  Then $$$ spread like wildfire.  USC was late to the party.  Now USC is the deejay at the party