The 2010 recruiting class for the USC Trojans contains some of the highest-profile high school seniors in the nation. And while it's difficult for true freshmen to make an instant impact at the collegiate level, here is a look at five players who could do just that this season.
WR Robert Woods
True freshman or not, Robert Woods is an offensive playmaker. There are plenty of upper classmen wide receivers on the roster, but perhaps nobody is more poised to step into Damian Williams’ role than Woods. He’s a threat to put six points on the board at any time and that’s been the biggest thing missing from the Trojans’ offense over the past several seasons. Whether it’s a punt return, quick slant or reverse, Woods should inject some life into a USC offense that struggled to put points on the board in 2009. While Woods is unlikely to start from Day 1 at USC, the guess here is that he’ll be pushing the seniors on the squad by Day 2.
WR Kyle Prater
If it sounds weird to list two wide receivers as the freshmen most likely to make an impact, consider the fact that USC doesn’t return a player with more than Ronald Johnson’s receiving numbers (34 catches for 378 yards and three touchdowns). It’s probably safe to say that the Trojan coaches will be looking for someone, anyone, to step up as a wide receiver. And if the buzz from the first two off-season workouts is any indication, Prater could be one of the first in line. Standing every bit of his listed 6-5, Prater’s hands are where off-target passes go to die. David Ausberry still has another season to step up as that big receiver at USC, but if he doesn’t do it soon, Prater certainly will.
ATH Dillon Baxter
I don’t care if he was playing five-man football in Mongolia, scoring 79 touchdowns in one season will make people wake up and pay attention. Another offensive threat added to this team, Baxter could wind up lining up at any skill position. Saying that guys are “just a football player” has become cliché, but that phrase might not fit anyone better than Baxter. While he isn’t the fastest player in this class, he possesses perhaps the best body control of any true freshman in the nation and sets up defenders like an NFL veteran. The Trojan program received a shot in the arm in 2002 with an influx of true freshmen performing as well as pushing the veterans to a new level. With a guy like Baxter ready to see the field immediately, the 2010 squad could get that same treatment.
TE Xavier Grimble
Over the past three seasons, the Trojans have graduated a Mackey Award winner and a likely early-round NFL pick at the tight end spot. But the returning tight ends combined for just 13 receptions last season. It’s difficult for true freshmen to make a huge impact at tight end, but Xavier Grimble certainly appears ready to do just that. He immediately becomes the best downfield threat at the position and looks physically ready to hold his own as a blocking tight end. When Anthony McCoy was injured, the tight end spot couldn’t rise up and help true freshman Matt Barkley out of some tight spots. During fall camp, Grimble should have a great chance to make a quick impression.
OT Seantrel Henderson
Though it’s not official yet, Henderson will definitely find himself in the mix on the offensive line when he gets to USC in the fall. With tackles like Tyron Smith, Matt Kalil and Kevin Graf ahead of him, he might not see the field much as a true freshman, but Henderson’s impact goes far beyond that. As one of the more high profile recruits in this class, the nation got to watch Henderson don a USC jersey on national TV and send the Trojans’ recruiting class to the top of the rankings. If there was any doubt about head coach Lane Kiffin’s ability to keep the Trojan football program clicking after the departure of Pete Carroll, Henderson’s commitment should have erased it.
