Top 2015 prospects talk USC news
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Cordell Broadus thought it probably should have happened sooner.
The 2015 wide receiver from Diamond Bar, Calif., was one of many top juniors with USC offers who wasn't necessarily stunned that the Trojans fired coach Lane Kiffin after an embarrassing loss to Arizona State on Saturday night.
Broadus, who considers USC one of his favorites, is excited to see who is hired as the next coach, and he thinks the program will only get better from here.
"I personally think more kids are going to want to play for USC now that Kiffin is no longer there," Broadus said. "I feel that he should have been fired a while ago and USC is going to raise the bar now because of the new coaching staff next year, and I'm anxious to see what they are going to look like."
Iman Marshall is another standout 2015 prospect, and USC is considered high on his list. The Long Beach (Calif.) Poly cornerback was diplomatic earlier this season when asked about Kiffin's future, and Marshall said he's going to see how it plays out and then make decisions from there.
Marshall's father, Tony, said the news is disappointing, but he's confident Kiffin will find success somewhere else. They, too, are excited to see what happens at USC now.
"I woke up to some interesting news," Tony Marshall said. "It's kind of sad. Personally, I have mixed feelings about the firing, although you could read the tea leaves and you knew it would eventually wind up here if Coach Kiffin didn't right the ship. I hate to see somebody lose their job. It just doesn't affect Coach Kiffin and his family. It affects everyone on his staff.
"Coach Kiffin extended a scholarship offer to my son, and for that I will always be indebted and appreciative. Coach Kiffin is a young, bright, intelligent man who has a bright future despite this setback. I truly believe he will bounce back from this, so we will be rooting for Coach.
"For USC, this is the dawn of a new age. It's so many possibilities, and they all seem so promising. I'm sure (athletic director Pat) Haden will do an exhaustive search to ensure that USC will bring on the best coach for USC. USC will bounce back from this, and we are excited about the possibilities."
That was generally the sentiment across the board for California's 2015 top prospects, considered one of the best classes at least in the last decade.
Four-star Encino (Calif.) Crespi defensive back Marvell Tell: "I was shocked they let him go in the middle of the season like this; however, I am still highly interested in their program."
Four-star Mission Hills (Calif.) Alemany receiver Desean Holmes: "It was bound to happen because they were losing to not good teams, but it's college football, every team is pretty good but it happens. I still like SC."
Four-star Orange (Calif.) Lutheran defensive end Keisean Lucier-South: "I'm still going to look at SC. The coaching change will not affect my recruitment."
The good news for USC fans is that many of the state's top prospects will still consider the Trojans. Kiffin's departure is having little influence at least with these players.
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