Countdown to Kickoff: 7 Days

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we are now just 7 days away from the opening kickoff against the Idaho Vandals next Saturday. Jersey #7 will be worn by 2 Trojans this season, junior CB Cary Harris and sophomore WR Vidal Hazelton...

Harris (above) returns with a year of starting experience at corner until his belt. Harris is very good in run support, but when in coverage it seems that he gives up way to much cushion. If he's going to be giving up 6-8 yard routes all game, then he needs to punish the WR's after catch and make them pay for catching the ball. I expect he'll play much better this season now that he is a year older and wiser now.

Hazelton is battling David Ausberry and Ronald Johnson for the #2 WR position across from Patrick Turner. He has a year of experience in the program already, but in my opinion, should have red-shirted last season. I understand that Jarrett missed some time last season, and an opportunity presented itself for Hazelton to step in and show that he was indeed worthy of playing time, but Coach Carroll needs to be a little more selective with his red-shirts. He saw limited action in 11 games and finished the season with 1 catch for 8 yards and 1 carry for 7 yards. I don't know about you guys, but that sounds like a waste of a year to me. Ausberry, meanwhile, did red-shirt in '06, and ended up getting valuable reps and dominating on the scout team. Now he's on track to start the opener along side Turner. Hazelton is very talented though, so hopefully he'll play with a chip on his shoulder and have a monster year.

Fight On!

Booty 2 Hazelton

According to USC Sports Talk's latest poll, the leading receiver for the upcoming season will be Vidal Hazelton. Hazelton played in 11 games last season, recording only 1 reception for 8 yards. With the dynamic duo of Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett on the field, Hazelton got very little playing time his freshman year. Hazelton looks to receive a lot more playing time and footballs as he competes for the starting receiver spot opposite junior Patrick Turner.

Hazelton had a great spring, displaying excellent hands and agility, and has positioned himself as the man-to-beat for playing time. He managed to hold off talented sophomores Travon Patterson and David Ausberry to finish the spring #2 on the depth chart. Nothing is set in stone and Hazelton will have to work hard this fall to hold off the competition, including incoming freshman Ronald Johnson.

Here are the complete results...

Vidal Hazelton (39%)

Patrick Turner (35%)

David Ausberry (12%)

Joe McKnight (5%)

Travon Patterson (4%)

Ronald Johnson (3%)

Jamere Holland (2%)

Fred Davis

Brandon Carswell

Good luck to all the receivers. The competition this fall should be great.

FIGHT ON!