The best linebacker I covered at USC was Chris Claiborne. But I always say the second-best linebacker I saw was Matt Grootegoed. He also was one of the smallest but size did not matter with Grootegoed. The reason I rate him so highly is simple: He made plays. Grootegoed did not disappear in games. He was always around the ball. Consider that he had 41.5 … Continue reading A USC Linebacker Who Simply Made Plays

I will be guest on the Petros and Money show today around 3:30 p.m. I’m guessing the topic will the JT Daniels. Continue reading Radio, Radio

The decision of JT Daniels to enter the transfer portal reminded me of a story from the USC recruiting dinner in 2018. Clay Helton told a USC donor that Daniels was the best QB prospect he had ever seen at his age. Since Helton played quarterback in college and coached the positon since 2007, he must know something, right? Helton later said it was his … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Petros Papadakis spoke this afrernoon about JT Daniels’ decision to enter the transfer portal. “The guy has never wanted to compete to be the starter. At some point, you have to compete and fight for that job and JT never did. JT will always have that mediocre true freshman year and the one series or two against Fresno State. “He’s not physically impressive and he … Continue reading Reaction To JT Daniels

The crazy part about today’s JT Daniels news is Daniels still might return. The NCAA is going to vote on May 20 on applying a one-time transfer waiver for any college athlete. The expectation is it would apply for the 2020-21 school year. But the NCAA has not officially said that will be the case but that it is working toward that goal. So why … Continue reading Why Did JT Daniels Annouce He Was Leaving Now?

This didn’t hold up well, did it? And this: “JT is definitely staying,” Daniels’ father, Steve Daniels, told 247Sports.com. “He’s happy for Clay (Helton) and has a great relationship with him but to be honest, no matter what happened with the coaching situation, JT was going to stay and compete. He loves it at SC, he has an SC tattoo on his leg so he’s pretty committed … Continue reading What Happens To JT Daniels’ USC Tattoo?