Countdown to Kickoff: 93 Days

Who better to represent #93 on our kickoff countdown than incoming freshman defensive end, Everson Griffen. I am incapable of communicating how excited I am to see this guy in a Trojan uniform this season.


Griffen will arrive at SC with an NFL-ready body at 6'4" 265lbs. His size is only part of the total package. Griffen is described as a freak athlete with a sub 4.5 40 time. It's amazing seeing someone that big move the way he does. His superior athleticism is what allowed Griffen to succeed on both sides of the ball in high school. As a senior at Agua Fria High School, Everson accounted for 77 tackles and 16 sacks while amassing 1251 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns on offense.

Griffen will compete with Kyle Moore for immediate playing time when fall camp begins. Mark my words when I say that Griffen will eventually be a top ten NFL draft pick. Until then I will enjoy watching him celebrate over fallen Pac-10 quarterbacks and defeated offensive tackles.

IMPACT Freshmen

After a thorough review of the Trojan Huddle Recap I have selected a few incoming freshmen that should have a huge impact on next season. Here are my top three...

1. Jordan Campbell, LB/FB 5'11" 260lbs- Campbell spent his entire football career playing linebacker, however due to the great depth at the linebacker position, PC recruited Campbell as a fullback. Campbell spent his senior season on both sides of the ball attempting to learn his new position. The fullback position on the Trojan depth chart is as thin as fucla's football championship records. Stanely Havili is the only scholarship fullback on the roster. Havili has looked very impressive throughout the spring and had a great game at the Trojan Huddle. However, with the luck USC had at keeping fullbacks healthy last season it is important that PC add depth to the position. With the departure of Brandon Hancock and Ryan Powdrell and the continued rehab of big back Michael Coleman, Jordan Campbell will be a welcomed addition in the fall. I've seen Campbell at a few spring practices and he looks like a very solid football player. Once Jordan learns the offense look for him to get a lot of reps as Havili's backup.
2. Everson Griffen, DE 6'4" 266lbs- Griffen is a monster. His size and athletic ability is unmatched by any recruit that PC has ever brought in. Griffen played defensive end and running back in high school. I have never seen a player of his size with the ability to overpower and outrun every player on the football field. With LoJack holding down one DE spot there's only one spot up for grabs. Currently, Kyle Moore has been working his tail off trying to prove to the coaching staff that he is deserving of that spot. He has had a good spring and looked very impressive on Saturday. Griffen will definitely push Moore for the starting job, making for one of the best position battles of the fall.
3. Ronald Johnson, WR 6'0" 180lbs- The receivers have looked pretty good this spring, however at times they have looked inconsistent. Patrick Turner has been the only consistent performer throughout the spring. Ausberry, Hazelton, and Patterson are all very talented receivers and I am expecting great things from the three of them. However, with Jamere Holland out with another shoulder injury, I'm not sure we have a speedster that can go out deep and spread the field. RoJo will be a great addition to the receiving corp and should push the other receivers. I don't expect RoJo to crack the starting lineup but I do expect him to get some significant playing time next season.

* Other possible IMPACT freshmen: Kristopher O'Dowd and Joe Mcknight