Oaklahoma DT Gerald McCoy will enter NFL Draft!

Gerald McCoy

Sooners DT Gerlad McCoy will skip his senior season and enter the 2010 NFL Draft. The school announced Gerald’s decision friday. McCoy will have enough credits to graduate early so he will play his last game for the Sooners against Stanford in the Sun Bowl Dec. 31. McCoy is ranked as the second best DT prospect behind Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh by Todd McShay of Scouts Inc.

Why is USC losing ground on backyard recruits?

Ronald Powell DE- Rancho Verde High (South Moreno Valley, CA)

2009 will be a year to forget for the Trojan linebackers, missed assignments, filling the wrong gaps,bad instincts,missed tackles etc. etc. etc. Losing 8 starters on defense from the previous season played a helping hand in that as well. Losing Linebackers Brian Cushing, Kaluka Maiava, Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews to the 2009 NFL Draft. They also Lost Keith Rivers, and then Lofa Tatupu a few years before that. Out of the 6, only one was not drafted past the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, and that was Kaluka Maiava a Fourth round pick of the Cleveland Browns. Going into the 2009 season the Trojans had holes to fill with so many departures. Chris Galippo would man the middle with Malcom Smith and Michael Morgan on the outside. The depth was thin and USC had their hopes of landing two 5 star stud linebackers from the 2009 recruting class. Vontaze Burfict of Corona Centinnial H.S. was a sure lock to sign with the Trojans, a 6’2 245lb Inside backer would have easily maned the middle at USC for years to come, and would have pushed Galippo to backup duties this season. Instead Burfict won Pac-10 Defensive freshman of the year, becoming the second Arizona State Sun Devil to do so since Terrell Suggs in 2000. He would have been the next to don the holly #55 Jersey, passed down from the previous SC linebacker greats. Burfict was concerned about making it academically at USC, and when he went on his official visit he felt like the coaches let him down, he felt like that was a concern not properly addressed during his on campus visit. USC could have provided him with tutoring and extra academic help. But Burfict opted for Arizona St. where they made sure they would do all they could to help him with his academics.

Vontaze Burfict LB Corona Centinnial High (Corona, Ca)

After the shocking loss of Burfict from the 2009 class, The Trojan Football staff went full steam ahead on recruiting Punahou School Hawaiin LB Manti Te’o, another 5 star beast who was a can’t miss for the Trojans 2009 class. USC used it’s pull for having a strong Polynesian presence on their roster, also flexing a resume of being “Linebacker U” and putting them on a flight straight to the NFL. With all USC had to offer Manti’s family saw USC as somewhat of a distraction, and did not meet his needs with him being a devout member of the LDS community. Historic Arch rivals Notre Dame threw a hell of a sales pitch to Te’o and his family, and Te’o bonded with Head Coach Charlie Weis, who is Catholic. Te’o told Sports Illustrated,”Charlie Weis is a great man,” on my official visit, he took me to the LDS church over there. They’re very welcoming of athletes from different faiths.” It may seem odd that the most highly sought-after Mormon recruit in the nation is considering a Catholic school, but Brian Te’o said he isn’t surprised. Manti’s mother’s family is Catholic, and Manti enjoyed the small-town feel of South Bend.

Manti Te'o LB- Panahou School (Honolulu, HI)

At 6’2 230lbs and rated by many as one of the top 3 players overall in the country for the 2009 recruiting class. USC could not miss out on him with the loss of so many Linebackers going to the NFL while also losing out on Burfict as well. But Trojan nation were in shock when Te’o announced that hew would be attending Notre Dame. Head Coach Charlie Weiss pulled a straight jack move on Pete Carroll, snatching a 5 star prospect right out of his own backyard. That never happens, at least not during the Pete Carroll era. Pete always gets what he wants, when he wants. USC usually has a wall surrounding California and most of the West Coast when it comes to recruiting. But how did they let two potential future NFL stars get away? What could have been? Malcom Smith and Te’o outside with Burfict holding the mike spot. That would have been one hell of a trio. That would have looked a whole lot more like “Linebacker U”. Instead more bad luck hit the team, when 2009 fall camp started with the unfortunate news that Miami Gulliver Prep LB Frankie Telfort was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition passed down genetically, affecting the genes that control heart muscle growth, ending his football career. That left USC with only one LB enrolled from the 2009 recruiting class. The lack of depth plagued the Trojans throughout the season, injuries hit Michael Morgan and Malcom Smith early on so Carroll was forced to switch defensive lineman and safties to Linebacker, just to help plug holes on the depth chart. Now that the regular season has ended and 2010 Signing day is slowly approaching. Pete needs hit the trail hard and sprinkle his recruiting magic once again like in years past, when he landed some of top classes of the decade. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde DE Ronald Powell is locked in on Pete’s radar, another backyard 5 star instate recruit with extreme potential. Carroll wants Powell to play OLB in some sort of a hybrid role, a Clay Matthews role. Rushing the passer while developing his skills to drop back in pass coverage.

Ronald Powell DE- Rancho Verde High

Word on the street has it that Powell is a silent commit to Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators. That would lead to another recruiting blow for the Trojans Linebacker wise, as they still have yet to land a linebacker commit early on in the recruiting process. Not to say that they will not land any Linebackers, but losing a talent like Powell from your own backyard is worrisome. They still have a shot with 4 star LB Josh Shirley 6’2 225lbs Kaiser High (Fontana, CA). If they can convince Powell to suite up with USC Tackle Tyron Smith and former Rancho Verde High teammate for the fall 2010 season. That would save Pete Carroll’s recruiting class. It’s even tougher now for Pete to hold down the fort, with former USC Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian and now Washington Huskies Head Coach plucking some talent from Trojan territory. UCLA Bruins Head Coach Rick Neuheisel has had some early recruiting success as well. Neuheisel convinced USC commit Morrell Presley a Wide Receiver of Carson High in CA to change his commitment to the Bruins. He also convinced USC commit Randall Carroll of Cathedral High in Los Angeles, CA, a CB/WR wanted to play wide receiver for USC but Pete thought Randall had suspect hands and wanted him to be on the defensive side of the ball and play corner. Rick said he would play wide out so he committed to UCLA. Carroll was in a similar position back in 2006, when 5 star WR DeSean Jackson of Long Beach Poly High made a shocking commitment to CAL on national TV. Pete let a jewel of a player like DeSean Jackson to get plucked by a Pac-10 rival when he basically is right around the corner and has all access to him.

Desean Jackson WR Long Beach Poly

With so much turnover with the coaching staff and new players riding on the Reggie Bush/Matt Leinart coat tail. Pete has his work cut out for him. He cannot let the Football team play second fiddle to Oregon or any other Pac-10 team. They should win the Pac-10 division every year no matter what, that’s if they can keep all of their talent. We will have to just wait and see if the Trojans still have it come signing day 2010.

LA Times reporting that USC is investigating Joe McKnight for use of vehicle

Joe McKnight

LA TIMES ARTICLE

Joe McKnight, star tailback of USC’s football team, has been driving a sport utility vehicle owned by a Santa Monica businessman, an arrangement the school is investigating and which may be in violation of college rules.

The NCAA, which governs major college sports, prohibits student athletes from accepting benefits from marketing representatives or agents or “extra benefits” based on their athletic ability.

For several weeks, McKnight has been seen driving a well-kept 2006 Land Rover that, according to California Department of Motor Vehicles records, is registered to Scott Schenter.

Schenter, 47, has a background that includes marketing, and a company he owned previously registered a website called 4joemcknight.com. It is unclear whether Schenter has any ties with USC or the school had knowledge of his activities.

If it’s found that McKnight is in violation of NCAA rules, it could affect his athletic eligibility. USC’s football team will next play against Boston College in the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 26 in San Francisco.

Trouble for McKnight, the Trojans’ leading rusher this season with 1,014 yards, would be another hit to a USC athletics program already under investigation by the NCAA and the Pacific 10 Conference regarding allegations that former football tailback Reggie Bush and former basketball player O.J. Mayo received improper benefits while playing for the Trojans. The NCAA combined the investigations to examine whether the school failed to exert proper institutional control.

Tom Yeager, a former chairman of the NCAA infractions committee who is commissioner of the Colonial Athletic Assn., said universities are expected to be diligent regardless of whether they are repeat offenders or are dealing with infractions for the first time. He added, however, “The stakes go up just like someone making a return appearance in court. A judge is not going to be as sympathetic.”

A DMV official said records show Schenter paid about $27,000 for the Land Rover and registered it in September. A Times reporter saw McKnight driving it several times in the last couple of weeks.

On Nov. 25, the SUV was parked outside the entrance to USC’s practice facility, its emergency lights flashing as players, coaches and athletic department personnel exited the gate. Several coaches stopped to greet McKnight’s girlfriend, who was seated in the passenger seat. McKnight came out of the locker room carrying his son on his shoulders, exchanged pleasantries with Coach Pete Carroll, who was walking with visitors, and made his way to the street where the Land Rover was parked.

The next day, McKnight left practice and drove away alone in the vehicle. He was also by himself as he drove the SUV from practice last Saturday.

Approached Wednesday after practice, McKnight acknowledged riding in the Land Rover but said he has never driven it. McKnight said his girlfriend, Johana Michelle Beltran, works as a secretary for Schenter, although the player said he did not know him.

McKnight and Beltran are the parents of a 10-month-old son, Jaiden. McKnight said the Land Rover was “my baby mama’s boss’. “

“I never talk to her about it,” he added. “I just see it whenever my girlfriend’s around with my kid. I ask no questions. I just do what I got to do.”

USC asks its athletes to provide written documentation about the vehicles they drive on campus. McKnight said Wednesday that he had not provided the school information on the Land Rover because he hadn’t driven it.

However, Todd Dickey, USC’s senior vice president for administration, said Friday that McKnight did provide the school with written documentation that he was driving the vehicle. Tim Tessalone, USC’s sports information director, said the running back had been “mistaken” in his account. Tessalone declined a request to view the documentation or say when the information was filed.

Given a hypothetical scenario such as McKnight’s, an NCAA spokesman said the following rules might apply:

NCAA bylaw 12.3.1.2 says that a student-athlete shall be ineligible if he, or relatives or friends, accepts transportation or other benefits from agents or marketing representatives. NCAA bylaw 12.1.2.1.6 prohibits preferential treatment, benefits or services because of the individual’s athletic reputation or skill or payback potential as a professional athlete.

Schenter is in South Africa, according to his wife, Dawn. She said she didn’t know what connection her husband might have with McKnight. Asked about Schenter’s businesses, she said, “He’s involved in a lot of things. I don’t know what he’s doing.”

Reached by e-mail this week, Schenter was sent a list of questions regarding his businesses, McKnight and the Land Rover. Since then, he has not responded to multiple requests for answers.

Dickey said USC officials planned to speak with Schenter when he gets back in town next week.

USC's Joe McKnight has been driving this sport utility vehicle owned by a Santa Monica businessman. (Los Angeles Times)

According to documents in the Los Angeles County Registrar’s office, Schenter filed papers in May 2008 to own and operate businesses called “USC Marketing” and “Brighter.”

Other records show Brighter later registered for 4joemcknight.com and Schenter was listed as the administrative contact for that site and several other domains, including ojaymayo.com and uscmarketing.com. None of those sites are currently active.

Schenter also has a LinkedIn account that says he is president of TeslaVision, though a person who answered the phone at the business’ Kirkland, Wash., headquarters said Schenter no longer worked for the company. On its website, TeslaVision is described as providing “communication solutions to the advertising, vending, gaming, marketing, promotion, entertainment, and point-of-sales industries.”

McKnight said he was not familiar with Schenter’s line of work and that he had spent this season living near campus, apart from his girlfriend and their son.

“I play football and I have a child,” said McKnight, who grew up in a low-income area outside New Orleans. “I’m not the type to get into everybody’s business. I worry about my own.”

He said Beltran’s father may have paid Schenter for using the Land Rover, but repeated, “I never drove the vehicle, I’ve never driven it. I know I can’t drive cars I’m not supposed to. If somebody said they spotted me driving, they’re seeing wrong. I don’t even have the keys.”

Provided a document showing that Schenter had owned the domain 4joemcknight.com, the running back said, “I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just being a football player and a father to my child.

“I won’t break any rules because I know if I do I can’t get on the football field. I’m trying to keep my life secure and stay on the football field.”

Beltran and Jaiden attended several Trojans practices and games this season, including a game in September at Washington. McKnight said he didn’t know who paid for their transportation to the game in Seattle.

Schenter is a 1985 graduate of Washington’s business school, according to its alumni office. TeslaVision has its headquarters just across Lake Washington from Seattle.

Attempts to reach Beltran independently and through McKnight were unsuccessful.

McKnight, a junior, is eligible for the NFL draft and said this week he was undecided whether he would turn pro or return to school. This season, he became the Trojans’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Bush and LenDale White in 2005, though he, like the rest of the team, experienced a roller-coaster season.

McKnight was not made available to reporters after practice Friday.

“Compliance has this in a full review and so we’ll have to wait and see what happens with that,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “I really can’t tell you anything. I don’t know anything more than that.”

By

Gary Klein and Lance Pugmire