9/13/2007 football Edit

USC lands 2009 speedster

Greg Biggins

Recruiting Analyst

Los Angeles (Calif.) Cathedral receiver Randall Carroll picked up the first of what promised to be several scholarship offers on Wednesday. However, Carroll took himself off the market and committed to one of the nation's true heavyweight programs.

"USC offered Randall and he jumped on it," Cathedral coach C.J. Fulwilder said. "Ken Norton was at our game last weekend and Randall blew it up. He had like eight catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns. USC then offered in writing earlier in the week and Randall went down to the school yesterday.

"It was Randall and our head coach and he told them he wanted to be a Trojan. Randall was going to be offered by everyone but when USC offers, there really isn't any need to wait for anyone else. Randall loves USC and has kind of always wanted to go there.

"It's close to home, they have a great program obviously and he loves the coaching staff. I think Randall wanted to end the process early as well. He's a really focused kid and is a big time track as well so one less thing for him to worry about appealed to him."

As for his upside, Carroll has a chance to be the top receiver in the state next year.

"I can't even begin to tell you how good he's going to be," Fulwilder said. "He was third in the state 100m last year running a 10.52 and he did that with a bad hamstring and a lousy track coach, me. This year if he stays healthy, he could be a 10.3 guy but you have to understand, he's not a track guy playing football, he's football all the way.

"He was a pop warner legend in Carson and has played football his whole life. He has only been running track for four years so that should show where his true commitment is. Now don't get me wrong, he loves to run and wants to try and make the Olympics someday but football is his love and he's very excited to be a Trojan right now."

As a sophomore, Carroll played primarily running back and rushed for 743 yards and eight touchdowns. He's playing receiver this year and that's also the position he'll play for the Trojans.