Looking at USC Football’s Nine Spring Enrollees

National signing day isn’t until February, but head coach Lane Kiffin and the rest of the coaching staff started early by signing nine spring enrollees. The newcomers add much needed depth to a depleted roster. All nine players will count against USC’s scholarship total for 2010 with the 2011 class being limited dueby NCAA sanctions.

Notably, USC made an effort to sign junior college players and find players with experience that can make an immediate impact.

"DB Isiah Wiley (Yuma, Arizona) Arizona Western C.C.     5’8″, 164 pounds Wiley joins a secondary that struggled in 2010 and lost its top cornerback to graduation. He registered 44 tackles and three interceptions in ten games at the juco ranks. Although Wiley is only 5’8”, he is known for always being in position to make a play on the ball."

"OL David Garness (San Francisco, California) City College of San Francisco     6’5″, 280 pounds Garness will compete for playing time as two starters—Tyron Smith and Kris O’Dowd—were lost to graduation. He was selected to the All-NorCal Conference first team in both of his seasons playing at CCSF. He is rated fourth among junior college tackles."

"OL Jeremy Galten (San Mateo, California) College of San Mateo          6’4″, 295 pounds Much like Garness, Galten was named to the  All-NorCal Conference first team for each of the two years he played. Galten may not be ready to start right away, but he adds much needed depth to a depleted Trojan line. His ability to play guard and tackle make him a versatile reserve."

"LB Dallas Kelley (Rancho Cucamonga, California) Chaffey College        5’11”, 230 pounds Kelley led Chaffey Junior College in tackling and was subsequently named to the All-Central West Conference first team. After the UCLA game, Lane Kiffin admitted he could not imagine how he would line up his backers on defense with seniors Michael Morgan and Malcolm Smith lost to graduation. He recorded 75 tackles with 13.5 tackles for loss during the 2010 season. With two starting spots open, significant playing time is there for the taking if Kelley can impress coaches in spring ball."

"QB Cody Kessler (Bakersfield, California)  Centennial High School     6’2”, 225 pounds Kessler was recently named 2010 Gatorade California Player of the Year. He has been lauded for his strong arm and mobility. As a senior, he threw for 2831 yards and 36 scores, while running for eight touchdowns. Kessler can throw on the run with tremendous accuracy and will add another dimension to USC’s offense when he gets his turn to start. Lane Kiffin has compared the number two rated pro-style quarterback to Trojan great Mark Sanchez."

"QB Max Wittek (Santa Ana, California)  Mater Dei High School    6’3″, 205 pounds Wittek threw for 2,252 yards and 24 touchdowns, and ran for six scores during his senior year. While Wittek is not as mobile as Kessler, his vision is better, and he takes more chances down the field. At the Under Armour All America Game, the Mater Dei graduate threw for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns in an impressive performance."

"FB Soma Vainuku (Eureka, California)  Eureka High School       6’1″, 255 pounds Vainuku, who is the cousin of former USC standout Rey Maualuga, was named to the Cal-Hi All-State Medium Schools first team. Kiffin commented after the season that he may have to run a one-back offense if he did not find a fullback, but he appears to have a solid replacement for the heralded Stanley Havili. Vainuku is a big, strong guy that can break tackles in space. He doesn’t have great cutting ability like Havili, but he can make plays with his hands as fell as his feet."

"LS Peter McBride (Paradise Valley, Arizona) Chaparral High School       6’1″, 215 pounds McBride will be a valuable addition to John Baxter’s special teams unit. Some scouts believe McBride is ahead of the curve when it comes to the technique of long snapping. Long snappers often remain anonymous, but it is wise for the coaching staff to bring in a specialist against the 2010 class and leave the majority of 2011 scholarships for skill position players."