Backfield bonanza: USC stacked at RB, enjoying the Booty
By Dennis Dodd | CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer Follow DennisLOS ANGELES -- The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. The coeds are, um, parading.
Just another day in Southern California paradise which, of course, begs the question: Why would any quarterback or tailback in his right mind come here?
Except, of course, for the parade.
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| John David Booty and Chauncey Washington are the favorites to start. (Getty Images) |
"I didn't want to hear it that way," USC's coach said.
The truth hurts, even if it reflects the excellence of the best recruiter in the country. The Trojans completed spring practice Saturday ready to welcome 10 scholarship running backs in the fall. The quarterback situation might be similarly crowded, especially if you're Mitch Mustain.
Mustain is the former Arkansas quarterback considering transferring to USC. If he comes, he'll sit out watching senior John David Booty chase a Heisman, Pac-10 title and national championship in 2007. When Mustain becomes eligible in 2008, current sophomore Mark Sanchez will have two years left and incoming freshman Aaron Corp will have three.
That's not considering the four other quarterbacks on the roster and the fact that Carroll is going to recruit before Mustain would take his first snap.
That is considering the seven Heismans in Heritage Hall, with three of the trophy owners currently starring in the NFL.
"I think you come here for all the obvious reasons," Carroll said. "This is the best program in America for quarterbacks and tailbacks."
That recruiting pitch is brought to you by the University of Southern California. There are only 118 other jealous I-A programs that would gladly take some of that excess talent off Carroll's hands.
The post-spring depth chart at tailback almost flaunted Carroll's football bling.
Chauncey Washington or
C.J. Gable or
Herschel Dennis or
Desmond Reed or
Emmanuel Moody
