Carroll looking around

One of the most exciting players in the Class of 2009 is Rivals100 member (No. 18) Randall Carroll. Carroll is 5-11 and 175 pound five-star prospect from Los Angeles (Calif.) Cathedral High School. He stars on both sides of the ball and is being recruited as a receiver, cornerback and athlete.

"As a receiver I run good routes, I have good speed and I make plays," Carroll said. "I play defense very aggressively, sometimes overly aggressive. I support the run well but I excel at bump and run. Some schools are recruiting me as a receiver like Oregon State and everyone else is recruiting me as an athlete. It doesn't matter to me. I just want to get on the field."

Carroll has been a long time commitment to Southern California. They offered him last fall and he jumped all over it.

"USC really surprised me with the offer and I just said yes. I got caught up in the moment. I would say I am still committed to USC but looking around at other schools. I love the tempo the USC practices, everything is so fast paced. I also love how the coaches interact with the players. USC is also close to home. But what I like most is that USC is like a family."

Despite being committed to USC for almost eight months, Carroll says he will entertain offers from other schools, whether they are close by or far away.

"I have 26 (scholarship) offers right now. I am really interested in UCLA, Florida State, Texas A&M, and Arizona.

"UCLA is a program on the way up. My cousin (Johnathan Franklin) just signed with the Bruins and I know many of their '08 kids. UCLA is starting something new there and that program is on the rise.

"I like how FSU throws the ball. They get to different wide receivers and they like to run as well. Coach (Jimbo) Fisher talks with my head coach and I am definitely interested in them.

"Texas A&M has a new coach and a new staff. They are trying to turn that program around. They need new receivers and playmakers.

"I think I will want to play on defense at Arizona. They send people to the NFL, especially with their defensive backs."

So will Carroll stick with Pete Carroll and the Trojans or will he sign elsewhere?

"I will see what is out there and I also want to see how my family feels. In the end it will be about the players and how they get along. What kind of attitude and intensity do they have? I also want to pick a school where I feel comfortable."

Carroll has already made unofficial visits to USC, UCLA, Texas, and UNLV. This summer he's planning to camp at Auburn and Colorado and he will try to visit Cal and Oregon State.